Septs of Clan Keith
Achindachy (and Variant: Achindachie)
Surname Origin & Association: Achindachy is a territorial surname derived from a location in Keith clan territory in the northeast Highlands. It is based on Gaelic roots, typically meaning “field of…”
Historical Context: The estate of Achindachy was closely tied to the Keiths. During Montrose’s campaign in 1645, he marched through Achindachy toward the Keiths’ seat. Families from this area were likely tenants or followers of a Keith cadet branch and are counted among the clan’s traditional septs.
Austin (and Variants: Austen, Astine, Aston, Austie)
Surname Origin & Association: Austin is a patronymic derived from the given name Augustine. In Gaelic it appears as MacAustain. The surname was introduced by Normans and spread across Scotland, including Lowland regions.
Historical Context: The Austins allied with the Keiths by the 16th century. In 1587 and 1589, Austin family members were documented as legal guarantors and tenants under the Earl Marischal. The Austins’ loyalty earned them inclusion as a sept of Clan Keith.
Ouston (and Variant: Ousten)
Surname Origin & Association: Ouston may be a phonetic variant of Austin or derived from a place-name meaning “east town.” In clan usage, it is often treated as a spelling variant of Austin.
Historical Context: Members of the Ouston family appear in late 16th-century records tied to the Keith earls. Given their presence on Keith lands and their administrative roles, they are included among the septs.
Cate (and Variant: Cates)
Surname Origin & Association: Cate is believed to be a phonetic variant of Keith, especially in Anglicized settings such as North America. It may derive from soft pronunciations of “Keith” or errors in transcription.
Historical Context: The name Cate has no distinct Scottish clan, but its appearance as a Keith sept acknowledges Keith descendants whose name evolved through migration or dialect.
Dickson (and Variants: Dick, Dixon, Dixson, Dickison, Dicson)
Surname Origin & Association: Dickson is a patronymic meaning “son of Dick,” with Dick being short for Richard. Clan tradition holds that the Dicksons descend from Richard, a son of Hervey de Keith.
Historical Context: This connection is supported by heraldry—Dickson arms include elements of the Keith arms. The Dicksons, especially in the Borders, are acknowledged as a cadet line of Clan Keith.
Falconer (and Variants: Falkner, Faulkner, Faulknor, Fawkner, Falconor)
Surname Origin & Association: Falconer is an occupational surname, but in this context it refers to the noble Falconers of Halkerton, who became the senior line of Clan Keith through marriage.
Historical Context: In 1761, Anthony Adrian Falconer inherited the Earldom of Kintore and the Keith chiefship. Since then, the Falconers (Keith-Falconer) have led Clan Keith, making Falconer a central sept.
Hackston (and Variant: Haxton)
Surname Origin & Association: Hackston is a Lowland surname, possibly from Halkerston. It became associated with Clan Keith through ties to the Falconer family.
Historical Context: Margaret Falconer, mother of David Hackston of Rathillet, tied the families. Though politically divergent, the Hackstons’ regional and familial connections earned them sept status.
Harvey (and Variants: Hervey, Harvie, Hervie)
Surname Origin & Association: Harvey is derived from the Breton name Herve, introduced to Scotland by Normans. The first Keith to hold the Marischal title was Hervey de Keith.
Historical Context: Some of Hervey’s descendants took Harvey as a surname. As a result, Harvey is a key Keith sept, directly connected to the clan’s founding figure.
Hurry (and Variants: Hurrie, Urie, Urry)
Surname Origin & Association: These surnames may derive from nicknames or localities. Urie, in particular, is tied to Keith estates in the northeast.
Historical Context: The Keiths held lands named Ury/Urie. The surname Hurry/Urry became associated with families living near or serving these estates. Sir John Urry, a 17th-century general from near Keith Hall, may reflect this connection.
Keith (and Variants: Keath, Keech, Keeth, Keyth, Kite; MacKeith, MacKeithan, Mackett, MacKeeth)
Surname Origin & Association: The core surname of the clan, derived from lands in East Lothian. The name likely comes from Brittonic “coed,” meaning “forest.”
Historical Context: Keith is the principal clan name. Variants emerged due to dialect and migration. All are regarded as part of the clan, with the MacKeith and related Gaelic forms especially seen in the north.
Laird
Surname Origin & Association: Laird is a Scots term for “landowner.” As a surname, it likely arose from individuals being addressed as “the laird” of a place.
Historical Context: Some Laird families served as tenants or minor gentry under the Earls Marischal. Their service and residence on Keith lands earned them recognition as a sept.
Lumgair (and Variants: Lumgain, Lumgaine, Lum)
Surname Origin & Association: A territorial surname from lands near Keith estates in the Mearns (Kincardineshire). Linked to the Falconers and Keiths via property and service.
Historical Context: The Lumgairs were tenants or lairds of land under Keith control. They are included as a sept due to their regional and familial ties to the clan.
Marshall
Surname Origin & Association: Marshall is derived from “mareschal,” a title for a military officer. Clan Keith chiefs were hereditary Great Marischals of Scotland.
Historical Context: Some Keith clansmen adopted “Marshall” as a surname after the 1715 Jacobite forfeiture. Others may have borne the name due to their roles in the Earl Marischal’s household. It remains a recognized sept.
References
Aldridge, M. (2017). The Legend of Camus and the Origin of the Keiths. In Complete History of Clan Keith: Origins, Castles and Stories (pp. 2–4). Clanscape Press.
Black, G. F. (1946). The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: The New York Public Library.
Clan Keith Society USA. (2023). The History of the Names of Clan Keith. Retrieved from https://clankeith-usa.org
Electric Scotland. (n.d.). List of Clan Keith Septs and Spellings. In Clan Keith. Retrieved from http://www.electricscotland.com
House of Names. (n.d.). Austin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms (Scottish). Retrieved from https://www.houseofnames.com/austin-family-crest
Keith, A. (1955). The House of Marshall. Scottish Historical Review, 34(117), 45–57.
ScotClans. (n.d.). Falconer Clan History. Retrieved from https://www.scotclans.com/blogs/clans-de/falconer-clan-history
ScotClans. (n.d.). Keith Clan and Tartan – Associated Names. Retrieved from https://www.scotclans.com
Wikipedia. (2023). Clan Gunn – History. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_Gunn
Wikipedia. (2023). David Hackston. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Hackston
Wikipedia. (2023). John Urry (soldier). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Urry_(soldier)