NOTE:
All the following material relating to the Coat of Arms and to the lineage of Clan Donnachaidh was included in the Robertson Genealogy compiled by Edna Robertson Vacher prior to 1941, and revised in only minor ways in a version issued in around 1952 by Alma Robertson Cobb. Except for the correction of obvious errors, this is essentially a verbatim version of that included in these early works.

This material is provided because it is interesting. No claims are made that it is authoritative. -JR


DESCRIPTION OF THE COAT OF ARMS

The copy of the Coat of Arms is identical with copies of the members of the family in Scotland and America. The following description was obtained from the "Robertson Family", by Jesse ontgomery Seaver, of the Genealogical Institute, Chicago, Illinois.

The shield is colored red (Gu, Gules), and signifies military fortitude. The heads of the three wolves are colored silver or white, (arg. argent), these colors representing "Peace and Sincerity". Armed and Languid, heraldic terms.

Note: The meaning of the teeth and claws of all ravenous animals are called their arms, because they are their offensive weapons. When these are of a different tincture from the body of the beast they are said to be armed and tincture must be named. When their tongues are of the tincture of their arms they are said to languid.

Azure (az): blue, meaning Truth and Loyalty. Lying on a compartment under the arms is a wild man chained, (see later), ppr. (proper or natural). Charges or crests represented in natural colors of the object delineated are demonstrated proper, abbreviated ppr., all tinctures when correctly engraved or designed, (unless in proper colors), are know by points of
lines, (see Dict. of Heraldic Terms).

The crest is a dexter arm and hand erect, holding a regal crown. All are ppr. (proper or natural).

The Supporters are a dove and a serpent. The dove represents in heraldry loving constancy and peace, the serpent wisdom.

The motto, Virtutis Gloria Merces, when translated is Glory is the reward of virtue and strength.

The wolf is a very ancient and uncommon bearing and is said to denote "valiant captains that do in the end gain their attempts after long strife, and hard enterprise". The bearing was given to the Robertsons, Clan Donnaichaidh for their services in helping to exterminate the wolves from Scotland.

A GENEALOGY OF THE ROBERTSON FAMILY

The origin of the Robertson family can be traced back to the Clan Donnachaidh. This Clan's progenitor was Duncan, King of Scotland (called by Shakespeare in McBeth "the gracious Duncan"), who reigned in A.D. 1039. Skene, the learned historian, said "The Robertsons are unquestionably one of the oldest and most eminent families in Scotland being the sole remaining branch of the Royal house which occupied the throne during the eleventh, twelfth centuries and from which they trace
their descent.

The Robertson name, that is, the son of Robert, is Saxon in its derivation, but the race was a Gaelic one. They first appear as a distinct clan in the year 1391, but were conspicuous in the wars for the defense and liberty of their country under the great warrior, Sir William Wallace. They also served with distinction under Robert Bruce at Bannockloum in 1314, when he with 30,000 Scots routed King Edward II of England with 100,000 English troups. In 1437, Robert of Strouan, Fourth Chief of the Clan Donnachaidh arrested Graham and the Earl of Atholl as the murderers of Kings James I of Scotlan, and as a reward for this act, his lands were made a barony and he was granted an honorable addition to his Coat of Arms. This addition consisted of a man lying in chains and a hand holding a royal crown.

There is another Coat of Arms for the Robertsons of Great Britain that differs somewhat from the one already described, and is the Arms of the Robertsons of Strouan as entered in the Lyon Register in 1672 and maticulated in May 1936, (See Burke's Landed Gentry 1939). In it the motto is drawn above the crown and the supporters, the dove and the serpent, have been omitted. It is believed that the one already described fits the facts better.

The lineage that follows is the Robertsons of Great Britain of the Clan Donnachaidh, down to the twentieth Chief, and the twentieth century, and is the same in the American Robertsons claiming descent from Clan Donnachaidh down to the seventeenth and eightteenth centuries. About this time many of the Robertsons migrated to the American Colonies and became American citizens.

The spelling of the name differs as, Robertson, Robinson, Robison and Robeson, but believed to have the same origin.

Lineage

King Duncan I, who was murdered, August 14, 1040, by McBeth, Mormaer of Maray, who thereupon became King until he was k, s, p, at Lumphanan, August 15, 1057, married Sybel, daughter of Siward Digers, Earl of Northumberland, 1018-1038. (See Swinton of that Ilk), and had issue.

1. Malcolm III, ceann mor King of Scotland, November 13, 1093,-8, k at Alnwick, November 13th, 1093, leaving issue.

2. Donald Bane, King of Scotland, November 13, 1093, disposed May 1094, again King November 12, 1094, a second time disposed 1097.

3. Melmare, or Melker, the third son,

Melmare had a son Madac, Earl of Atholl ca. 1124, who d, inter, 1142 and 1152, leaving a son Malcolm, 2 Earl of Atholl in 1154, who granted the church of Moulin to the Abbey of Dunfermline, ca. 1178 and d, inter 1194 and August 24, 1198, leaving issue by his first wife, Henry, 3rd Earl of Atholl, who d, s, p, m, l, s, ca. 1222, leaving two daughters who succeeded in turn as Countess of Atholl (see complete Peerage).

Conan of Glenerochee, (which land adjoins the land of Strouan), who is the son of Henry, 3rd, Earl of Atholl granted a charter ca. 1220 to the Abbey of Lindoris, also a charter of Tulloch in Atholia, had a son,

Ewen, 2nd, of Glenerochee, a witness of the charter of 1220, who married Mary, daughter and co-heir of Convalt, son of Duncan of Tullibardine, (her sister Murierl, married Sir William Murray, ancestor of the Duke of Atholl), and had issue,

Angus, his heir, had a daughter, who according to one account married Andrew, son of Angus de Atholia, and brought Glenerochee and Tulloch, as her tocher,

The son,

Angus, 3rd, of Glenerochee, styled "Anussi fil Eugenii", in a crown charter of lands in Perthshire, who was succeeded by, Andrew de Atholia, 4th, of Glenerochee, who was either his son or his sister's son. He is described as "de Atholl", in several of this son's charters and was the father of,

Duncan de Atholia, 5th, of Glenerochee, the 1st, Chief of the Clan Donnachaidh, which took its name from him. He was a supporter of King Robert II, and was taken prisoner by the English with his son, Robert, while serving under King David II, at the battle of Durham, October 17, 1346. He is said to have married a daughter of Malcolm, 5th, Earl of Lennox, who brought Rannoch as her tocher, and had a son,

1. Robert, his heir, according to one account by a 2nd marriage with a co-heiress of Glentilt, he is said to have had further issue,

2. Patrick, ancestor of the Robertsons of Lude, (see that family),

3. Thomas, who had a charter from King Robert III, ca. 1398, and another for Strathloch, which formed the tocher of his daughter, Matilda, who married Alexander, youngest son of Patrick 1st, of the Robertsons of Lude (see above), and was the ancestor of the Robertsons of Reid, of Staloch,

4. Gibbon, living in 1392, the elder son,

5. Robert de Atholia, 6th of Glenerochee, had a charter of Fordgill, County of Perth, from King David II, May 24, 1362. By his 1st wife, daughter, co-heir of Sir John de Striveling, of Glenisk, he had a daughter Jean, who married Alexander Menzies, of Fothergill, by his 2nd wife the heiress of Fordhill, with whom he had a charter of that estate, he had a son, Duncan de Atholia, 7th, of Glenerochee, styled in documents, "de Atholia, dominus de Ranage", (Rannock), who had issue,
1. Robert, his heir

2. Duncan, ancestor of Robertsons of Inches and Kindeace,
elder son,

3. Robert Ruadh, 8th of Glenerochee, and 4th, Chief, of the Clan Donnachaidh, captured the regicides, who murdered the King James I (February 20, 1436). He received a charter from King James II, August 15, 1451, creating all the lands of Strouan, half of Rannoch, his lands Glenerochee, Grenich, (now Tummelsaide), the two Bokespic Fearnan on Loch Tay, Dalcabon, Fascally, Balnagard, and Glengarry Forest into one barony of Strouan. He married Lady Magaret Steuart, who long survived him, as she endowed a chapel in 1485. "For the weal of his soul" and had three sons,

1. Alexander, his son.

2. Robert of Delcabon, who may have been an ancestor of Sir Alexander Robertson, of Colyear, of "the Province of Holland", who was created as baronet (of England), February 20, 1676-7. His son David was created Earl of Portmore, in the peerage of Scotland, April 13, 1703. The male issue became extinct on the death January 16, 1835 of Thomas Charles, s, p, s, 4th, Earl and 5th, Baronet (whose only child Brownlow Charles, had been h, v, p, in Italy by brigands, February 18, 1819).

3. Patrick, of Inerach, living in 1501,

Robert Ruadh, from whom the family took the sirname of Robertson, on, August 1460 died from wounds received in a fray, and was succeeded by his elder son,

Alexander Robertson, 9th, of Glenerochee, now forming a part of the Barony of Strouan, and 5th, Chief. He married April 1, 1440, Elizabeth, daughter of Patrick, 1st Lord of Glamis, (see Burke's peerage, Strathmore, E). Had issue,
1. Duncan, d, v, p,

2. Robert, married Lady Margaret Stewart, daughter of John, 1st Earl of Atholl, (of the creation of 1457), half brother to King James II, and d, v, p, having had issue,

William, 10th of Strouan in succession to his grandfather,

3. Andrew, ancestor of the Robertsons of Killichangy, from whom descend the families of Ladykirk, Easteryee, and Edradynate, (See Stewart-Robertson of Edradynate),

4. James of Calvine, ancestor of the Robertsons of Blairfettia and Auchleeks, (whom see), Mary, married Andrew Moray, 4th of Abercarney, (killed at Flodden September 9, 1513) and had issue,

He married the 2nd time (April 24, 1504), Lady Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of John 1st, Earl of Atholl, older sister of his daughter-in-law, see above, and had further issue,

5. Alexander, ancestor of the Robertsons of Faskally and Kinderchite,

6. John of Murtun, ancestor of Robertsons, Williamson of Lawers, 7th, married Margaret, (disposed November 12, 1528), as his 1st wife, George 7th Earl of Erroll, and had issue, (see Burke's peerage),

Alexander Robertson, 9th, of Glenerochee and Strouan, and died ca. 1506, and was succeeded by his grandson,

William Robertson, 10th, of Strouan and 6th Chief of the Clan Donnachaidy, was served heir in 1508. He was executed 1532 after having tried to recover half of the lands of the Barony which had been seized by his cousin John, 3rd, Earl of Atholl.
He left issue.

1. Robert, his heir,

2. Isabel, married John Moncreiffe of Kinsmouth, and of Rapness in Orkney, (died age 92 in 1590), 3rd, son of Sir John Moncreiffe, 8th, of that Ilk, and had issue,

Robert Robertson, 11th, of Strouan, and 7th Cheif served heir to his father in the Barony in 1539, married on February 9, 1544-5, to Marieta, daughter and heir of Ian MacIan, of Arduamarchan, and had four sons,

1. William, his heir,

2. Donald, 13th, of Strouan,

3. John,

4. Alexander, the elder son,

William Robertson, 21st, of Strouan, and 8th Chief, had a Novadower of Strouan, November 10, 1546, from Mary, Queen of Scots, during the regency of her Mother, Queen Mary, or Lorraine, after the resignation of his father, but d, s, p, being murdered in 1587. His brother,

Donald Robertson, succeeded as 13th of Strouan, and 9th, Chief. He married 1st, Janet, daughter of Neil Stewart, of Foss, and had issue,

Robert Robertson, his heir,

He married 2nd, August 16, 1587, Beatrix Farouhason, and was succeeded by his son,

Robert Robertson, 14th, of Strouan, and 10th, Chief, got a charter January 14, 1600, of the lands of Kinloch, Murrigan, and others which added to the Barony of Strouan, he married Agnes, daughter fo Alastair McDonald, 10th, of Kappoch, (see that Family), and had issue,

1. Alexander Robertson, his heir,

2. Donald Robertson, Tutot, of Strouan, 1636, for his nephew the 12th Chief, on whose behalf he led the Clan Donnachaidh, Col. of Regt. 1645-6, which he had raised for King Charles I under the Marques of Montrose. He married Beatrix, daughter of Patrick Graeme, 3rd of Inchbrokie, (see that family), by his 2nd wife, widow of Alexander Robertson, of Lude, and died after the restoration 1660.

3. Duncan Mor Robertson, 1st of Drumachine, married Dorothy, daughter of Neil Stewart, of Foss, and had issue,

Alexander Robertson, 3rd, of Drumachine, married 1703, Margaret, daughter of Patrick Robertson of Faskally, and had issue.

1. a Duncan Robertson, 4th, of Drumachine, who became heir male of Strouan, on the death of the 17th, Chief in April 1749.

2. a Alexander Robertson, Lieutenant Colonel in the Dutch Service.

1. a Emila Robertson, Capt. Donald Robertson, of Woodsheal, (see above).

2. Donald, who had two younger sons Charles and Alexander and had an older son, Robert Bane, who had with other issue,

1. a Donald Robertson, of Woodsheal, Capt. in the French Service, maried his 2nd cousin Emila, daughter of Alexander Robertson, 3rd, of Drumachine, (see above)

2. a Ducan Robertson, whose son,

Alexander Robertson, served as 20th Chief, (See below),

3. a Duncan Robertson,

4. a Patrick Robertson,

4- James Robertson, ancestor of Widirpook, (see that family),

1. a Janet, married Stewart of Tulloch,

2. a Mary, married MacEntosh of Strouan,

the 10th Chief, Robert Robertson, resigned the barony to his
oldest son,

Alexander Robertson, 15th of Strouan, and 11th Chief, who had a charter of the barony, February 6, 1630, he married Margaret, daughter of of George Graeme, 4th of Inchbrakie, (see that family) and died 1656, leaving an only son,

Alexander Robertson, 16th, of Strouan, and 12th Chief, during whose minority his uncle Donald, (see above) was Tutot of Strouan, and led the Clan Donnachaidh, he married 1st, Catharine, only daughter of Sir James Drummond, 1st, of Machany, brother of John, 2nd, Lord Maderty, (see Burke's peerage), and had issue,

1. Robert Robertson, entered the Dutch Service, d, s, p, v, d, 1688.

2. Anne Robertson, married Hugh McDonald, of Glenmore, 2nd son of Sir James McDonald, 9th, of Sleat, 2nd, Bt., (see Burke's peerage).

Alexander Robertson, 16th, of Strouan, whose arms were recorded in the Registry of all arms in 1672, married 2nd, Marion, daughter of Major General William, baille of Letham and died 1687, having further issue,

2. Alexander Robertson, his heir,

3. Duncan Robertson, a Colonel in the Russian Service, whose only son, Robert was killed in a duel, v, p, d, 1718,

2. Margaret Robertson, the 18th, of Strouan,

Alexander Robertson, 17th, of Strouan, and 13th Chief, who was served heir to his father 1688, was celebrated as a poet, was educated at the University of St. Andrews. He fought as a Jacobite in 1689 and was forfeited 1690, although a minor. His remission of 1703 from Queen Anne, never passed the Seals. He fought again for the Stewart cause in 1716, was taken prisoner in 1716, but escaped to France. In 1725, he obtained a remission and returned to Strouan, where he d, s, p, April 1749, age 80 years. After his flight to France, King George I, by a novadarmus in 1723 restored Strouan to the forfeited, Chief's sister,

Margaret Robertson, 18th, of Strouan, who in 1726 disposed the Estate in trust for the benefit of her brother with the remainder to Duncan, the elder son of her cousin, Alexander Robertson, 3rd of Drumachine, as being the male heir to her brother. She died unmarried 1727, and on the death of the restored 13th Chief, in Aril 1749. He was succeeded by his kinsman the 4th, Lord Drumachine, (see above).

Duncan Robertson, as 14th Chief, but as he was an exile and his name had been excluded from the Act of Indemnity as having been int Rising of 1745 never obtained the Barony of Strouan, which was resumed by the crown in 1752. He married March 1739, the Hon. May Murray-Mairn, daughter of William, 2nd, Lord Mairn and had a daughter Margaret, who married in 1755, Lawrence Oliphant of Gask, and had issue, Carolina, afterwards Baroness Mairn, the Poetess, and a younger son, Walter Philip Colyer, who died unmarried, 1818, an older son an heir,

Col. Alexander Robertson, 15th Chief, to whom the Barony was restored 1784, but who died unmarried, 1822, when succession devolved upon,

Alexander Robertson, (son of Duncan, son Robert Bane) as 16th Chief, he was inset by Crown Charter, in Barony of Strouan, 23rd, of June 1824. He married 1st, Mary, daughter of William Best, of Mansfield, Yorks, by whom he had two sons,

1. George Duncan Robertson, his heir,

2. Francis, lost at sea, unmarried.

He married 2nd, Jean, daughter of Gilbert Stewart, of Fincastle, by her two sons,

3. Alexander Gilbert Robertson, of Strouan, s, his nephew 1864,

4. Robert Joseph Stewart Robertson, of Friendship, Jamaica, married February 23, 1859, Jane Eliza Chambers, died in Jamaica, leaving with other issue an older son,

Robert Joseph Stewart Robertson, Jr., of Friendship, Jamaica, married May 20, 1862, Sarah Anoinette, daughter of Edw. Ebneser Sinclair, and had issue,

1. Robert Joseph Stewart Robertson, who succeeded as heir male of Robertsons of Strouan, (May 20, 1910), but d, s, p, March 23, 1926.

2. George Duncan Robertson, (St.Andrew, Jamaica), J.P. Jamaica, late of the Colonial Civil Service, who maticulated Arms at the Lyons Office, May 1936, as heir male of Robertson of Strouan, born August 10, 1867.

He Alexander died March 20, 1830, and was succeeded by his oldest son,

George Duncan Robertson, 20th, of Strouan and 17th, Chief, Maj. Gen. in the Army, C. B. K. L., born April 29, 1766, married May 31, 1799, Anne, daughter of James Outhwaite, or Richmond, Yorks, and she (who died 2nd 1868) had issue, a son and two daughters, Mary Anna, married William Jenkins, Frances, d, unmarried. Gen. Robertson who passed upward of 30 years in active service, and received the Cross of the Austrian Order of Leopold, died July
1, 1842, was succeeded by his son,

George Duncan Roertson, (styled Strouan Robertson), 21s of Strouan, 18th Chief , of the Clan Donnachaidh, J.P. Lieut 42nd of Highlanders, born July 26 1826, married April 3, 1839 Mary Stuart, daughter of Major Archibald Menzies, of Avondale, County Stirling, 42nd Highlanders. He died April 3, 1864, and was was succeeded by his Uncle.

Alexander Gilbert Robertson, (Strouan Robertson), 22nd of Strouan, and 19th Chief, sometime resident in Jamaica, born March 6, 1805. Married January, 1863, Charlotte Bertha Wilhemina, (died 1910), daughter of J. Hoffman, and had issue,

1. Alasdair Stewart Robertson, late of Strouan,

2. Duncan Robertson, born September 11, 1867, died 1869,

1. Jean Resine Meu, of Strouan,

Mr. Robertson died October 16, 1884, his oldest son,

Alasdair Stewart Robertson, 23rd, of Strouan, 20th Chief, styled "Strouan Robertson" Capt. and Hon. Major West of Scotland, Art. by November, 1863. Succeeded his father, 1884. Died May 20, 1910, and was succeeded by his sister. The last of the family estates have been sold.

Arms: Gu. Three wolves heads erased arg. armed and languid; lying on compartment under the arms, a wild man chained.

Crest: A dexter arm and hand erect, holding a regal crown, all ppr.


THE CLAN DONNACHAIDH SOCIETY

An organization known as the "The Clan Donnachaidh Society" consists of descendents of the foregoing ancestors an in which American Robertsons are eligible for membership (many of the latter are members). The Society has headquarters at Glendevon, by Dollar, Perthshire, Scotland. Mrs. Robertson Matheson is the honorary Clan Secretary. There are seven local chapters in various parts of Scotland. Strouan Robertson is the present Cheif and Miss Robertson of Strouan is the president, Mr Charles Guthrie, M.S.I.W., Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, is the Honorary Secretary of the Edinburgh District, 1928.

July 18, 1860

It is known that a gentleman named A.S. Robertson, originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, has lately purchased a large tract of land (about 20,000 acres) near Lake Coranganut in Victoria, Australia,a nd had obtained the sanction of the government to call the parish containing it Strouan.

The Clans of Scotland

The residences of the Chiefs was at Dun Alister, upon Loch Rannoch, where nothing now remains but their burial ground, a neglected spot, surrounded by a wall, and choked with weeds.

The Clans of Scotland were destroyed by act of Parliament in 1747. The oath, required at the time, was very severe and prohibited the possession and the use of the tartan plaid or any part of Highland garb (Enc. Britannica, Vol.V.,p.801). About 1890, there was a movement to restore the Clan sentiment, and to reorganize. The Clan Robertson was inaugarated in Edinburgh in 1892, and their roll is the largest of all Clan Societies.