Branches of Clan Brodie
Brodie of Brodie
The chief’s line of Clan Brodie, known as the Brodies “of that Ilk,” held the thanage of Brodie in Moray since at least the 12th century. Their seat was Brodie Castle on ancestral lands near Forres. Early records suggest Malcolm, Thane of Brodie (fl. 13th century), as a progenitor. Many family charters were lost when Royalist forces burned Brodie House in 1645. Notable chiefs include Alexander Brodie of Brodie (1617–1680), a staunch Covenanter who sat on Scotland’s College of Justice (styled “Lord Brodie”) and destroyed images at Elgin Cathedral. Another chief, Alexander Brodie (1697–1754), served as Lord Lyon King of Arms. The direct male line ended in 1759 and passed to a cousin from the Spynie branch. The line continues to hold the chiefship.
Brodie of Lethen
The Brodies of Lethen are the principal cadet branch, established in the 17th century. Alexander Brodie, 1st of Lethen, purchased the estates of Pitgaveny, Easter Grange, and Lethen, and built Lethen House. In 1645, the house was besieged by Royalist forces. His son John held command at the Battle of Dunbar. This line continued to hold local influence into the 20th century, with Ewen Brodie of Lethen serving as Lord Lieutenant of Nairnshire.
Brodie of Spynie
This line began with James Brodie of Whitehill, who acquired Coltfield and Spynie estates. His marriage to Margaret Brodie, a co-heiress, positioned his son James to inherit the chiefship in 1759 when the main line failed. The Spynie branch united the Brodie estate and continued the chiefship into the 19th and 20th centuries.
Brodie of Idvies
Founded in the 19th century in Angus, this branch gained a baronetcy when Sir Thomas Dawson Brodie was created a Baronet of Idvies in 1892. The title became extinct in 1896 due to a lack of male heirs. Despite its brief existence, this branch expanded the clan’s geographic footprint.
Brodie of Boxford
An English-based branch, descended from a Scottish cadet line. Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, a prominent surgeon, was created Baronet of Boxford in 1834. His descendants continued in academic roles and maintained the Brodie name and heraldry, making the branch well-known in England.
Obscure or Nonactive Branches
Brodie of Aslisk
A 17th-century branch founded by Joseph Brodie, brother of Lord Brodie. Joseph’s son George inherited the chiefship in 1680, ending the Aslisk line as a separate entity. The estate was absorbed, but the branch played a key role in clan continuity.
Brodie of Milton
Founded by Francis Brodie, who acquired Milton and Inverlochy estates. The line lost its land by 1730, and the property later passed through marriage to the Innes family. The Milton branch played an important 17th-century role, with its lands and legacy remembered through the later Brodie-Innes family.
Brodie of Windyhills
A cadet of the Milton line, this branch held the small estate of Windyhills in Moray. Members included John Brodie (d. 1672) and Joseph Brodie, who sold Milton and purchased Windyhills. The branch became extinct in the 18th century.
Brodie of Mayne
A short-lived branch established by Rev. Joseph Brodie’s son Alexander, who sold Mayne and moved to Muiresk in the 1690s. The Mayne name ceased and evolved into the Muiresk line.
Brodie of Muiresk
Formed in Aberdeenshire by Alexander Brodie (formerly of Mayne), this branch included Captain David Brodie of the Royal Navy. The estate was sold in 1767 and the line faded.
Brodie of Coltfield
Started in the early 1600s by William Brodie, a son of the chief, this branch acquired Coltfield estate. It merged with the Spynie line, and the name ceased being used independently.
Brodie of Eastbourne
An English-based offshoot, represented by William Brodie of Eastbourne, who compiled a major Brodie genealogy in 1862. While not landowning in Scotland, the Eastbourne family preserved clan memory and identity.
Brodie of Fernhill
Established in the 19th century on the Isle of Wight by Rev. Alexander Brodie and continued by his son Frederick, a scientist and astronomer. The estate was sold after 1933, ending the branch.
Brodie of Caithness
A lesser-known offshoot that settled in Caithness. Descendants include Alexander O. Brodie, a U.S. Governor of Arizona. The branch is obscure and no longer active in clan affairs.
Brodie-Wood of Keithick
A brief branch formed through marriage into the Wood family of Keithick. Norah Brodie-Wood adopted the name and arms in 1916. The branch did not continue and is noted in heraldic records only.
Callender-Brodie of Idvies
Formed when Anne Catharine Brodie inherited Idvies and married into the Callender family. The hyphenated name was recognized in the late 19th century but the estate was sold shortly after.
Brodie-Innes of Milton Brodie
This branch arose when Rev. John Innes inherited Milton Brodie estate in 1862 and adopted the name Brodie-Innes. He was a friend of Darwin. The estate was eventually sold and the branch ended.
References (APA Format)
Anderson, W. (1863). The Scottish Nation (Vol. 1). Edinburgh: A. Fullarton & Co.
Bain, G. (1893). History of Nairnshire. Nairn: Nairn Telegraph Office.
Brodie, W. (1862). The Genealogy of the Brodie Family from Malcolm, Thane of Brodie, to the year 1862. Eastbourne: R. Taylor.
Clan Brodie Society. (n.d.). Clan History and Lands. Retrieved from https://www.clanbrodie.com
Electric Scotland. (n.d.). Early Genealogy of Clan Brodie. Retrieved from https://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/brodie2.html
Historic Environment Scotland. (n.d.). Listed Buildings and Estate Records – Brodie Castle.
Plowden-Wardlaw, S. (2024). The Brodies of Lethen. Retrieved from https://www.plowden-wardlaw.de
ScotClans. (n.d.). Clan Brodie History. Retrieved from https://www.scotclans.com/blogs/clans/clan-brodie-history
The Inverness Courier. (2021, December 14). Tributes to Ewen Brodie of Lethen.
The London Gazette. (1834). Creation of the Baronetcy of Boxford.
U.S. Congress. (1903). Memorial Addresses on the Life and Character of Hon. Alexander O. Brodie. Washington: Government Printing Office.
Watt, J. (1863). The Diary of Alexander Brodie of Brodie, 1652–1680. Edinburgh: Spalding Club.
WikiTree. (2023). Brodie Family Profiles. Retrieved from https://www.wikitree.com