Clan Urquart Crest
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CREST: Issuant from a crest coronet Or, a naked woman from the waist upwards proper, brandishing in her dexter hand a sword Azure, hilted and pommelled Gules, and holding in her sinister hand a palm sapling Vert MOTTO: Meane weil speak weil and doe weil TRANSLATION: Mean well, speak well and do well VARIATIONS: N/A |
| The name “Urquhart” has its origins in the Gaelic language and is believed to be derived from the place name “Airchart,” which made its first appearance in the biography of Saint Columba. The meaning of the name has been interpreted in various ways, including “woodside,” “by a rowan wood,” or “fort on a knoll.” This linguistic ambiguity adds an air of mystique to the clan’s identity.
Nestled on the picturesque banks of Loch Ness, Castle Urquhart stands as a testament to the clan’s enduring presence. Legends are woven into its stones, one of which tells the story of Conachar, a noble of the royal house of Ulster. Conachar, so the tale goes, came to Scotland to fight alongside Malcolm III and was rewarded with the castle. In a dramatic twist, he and his faithful hound faced a ferocious wild boar during a hunting expedition. The heroic hound’s sacrifice saved Conachar, and this tale of noble rescue is mirrored in the boars’ heads and hounds that adorn the Urquhart chiefs’ arms. |
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| The Urquhart clan held the esteemed position of hereditary sheriffs of Cromarty from the reign of David II. This role added to their prominence in the region and shaped their legacy.
The early 16th century saw the emergence of Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty, a man of legendary fertility who fathered twenty-five sons. Tragically, seven of these sons met their fate at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547, a testament to the Urquhart family’s enduring commitment to their country. A scholar, writer, and soldier, Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromartie earned knighthood by the age of thirty. His fame extends beyond the battlefield, however, as he is renowned for his masterful translation of the works of the French poet Rabelais. Sir Thomas Urquhart was not only a scholar but also a staunch royalist. He fought valiantly in the English Civil War, even ending up as a prisoner in the Tower of London. During his imprisonment, he published a family tree that traced the Urquhart lineage all the way back to Adam and Eve. Known as “the pirate” by his family, Captain John Urquhart was a man of great wealth with a mysterious past. He served in the Spanish navy and likely amassed his fortune through capturing enemy vessels. His daring escapades extended to the battlefield, where he narrowly escaped death at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, fighting for the Jacobite cause. |
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