Clan Kennedy

This article is about the Scottish clan. For the Irish clan, see Kennedy Clan. For the American political clan, see Kennedy family. For other uses, see Kennedy (disambiguation).

Clan Kennedy is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.^[2]

Clan Kennedy
MacUalraig (Surname), Ceannaideach (Surname), Ceannaideach (Singular), Clann 'icUalraig (Collective)
Crest: A dolphin naiant proper
Motto	Avise la fin (Consider the end)
Profile
District	Ayrshire
Plant badge	oak
Chief
The Most Hon. David Kennedy
The 9th Marquess of Ailsa
Seat	Cassillis House
Historic seat	Dunure Castle Culzean Castle
Septs of Clan Kennedy Cassels,[1] Cassillis,[1] Cassell,[1] MacOurlick,[1] MacUlric,[1] MacUlrick,[1] Ulric[1]
Clan branches Kennedy of Cassillis (chiefs)[2] Kennedys of Kermuck[2] Kennedys of Moray[2] Kennedys of Bargany.[2]
Allied clans Clan Bruce
Rival clans Clan Forbes

History

Origins of the clan

The Votadini were a tribe in Lothian and their chief, Cunedda, was sent by the British leader, Vortigern, to establish settlements in order to resist Picto-Scottish sea raids in the south west of Scotland.^[2] These settlements spread down the west coast as far as Wales.^[2] Cunedda is rendered as Cinneidgh in the Celtic language, meaning ugly or grim-headed.^[2] The name became associated with the district of Carrick, Scotland.^[2]

During the early part of the reign of William the Lion, Gilbert Mac Kenedi witnessed a charter to Melrose Abbey granting lands in Carrick.^[2] During the reign of Alexander II of Scotland Gillespie Kennedy is named in charters as the senechal of Carrick.^[2]

Wars of Scottish Independence

Kennedys supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence.^[2] Kennedys inherited the Earldom of Carrick from the line of Sir John Kennedy of Dunure's wife, Mary de Carrick, who descended from Sir Gilbert De Carrick.^[3] In 1372, Robert II of Scotland rewarded John Kennedy of Dunure as chief of his name and baillie of Carrick.^[2]

15th and 16th centuries

"Ulric". A Victorian era, romanticised depiction of a member of the clan by R. R. McIan, from The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, published in 1845. Carrick was in the Scottish Lowlands

In about 1457 John's direct descendant, Gillbert, was created Lord Kennedy.^[2] He was also a regent to the infant James III of Scotland.^[2] James Kennedy, brother of the first Lord Kennedy, was one of Scotland's best loved bishops.^[2] James served briefly as High Chancellor of Scotland and was also Bishop of Dunkeld, and also later Archbishop of St Andrews.^[2] In 1450 he founded St Salvator's College.^[2]

Hugh Kennedy of Ardstinchar was a Scots mercenary who fought at the Siege of Orléans for Joan of Arc.^[2] As a result, Joan figures on the arms of Kennedy of Bargany.^[2]

In 1509, Sir David Kennedy, the third Lord Kennedy was created Earl of Cassillis.^[2] He was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.^[4][2] The second Earl of Cassillis was murdered in 1527.^[2] Gillbert Kennedy, the third Earl, was one of four Scottish commissioners who were poisoned on their return from the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots to the Dauphin of France in 1558.^[2] The third Earl had inherited his title at the age of twelve and one of his first acts was to sign the death warrant of Patrick Hamilton, the first Scottish Protestant martyr.^[2]

The Moray Kennedys were a branch of the clan who travelled north with the sister of the third Lord Kennedy, Janet Kennedy who had a son by James IV of Scotland, as part of the possession of the earldom of Moray.^[2] The Moray Kennedys became a sept of the Clan Cameron.^[2]

17th century and Civil War

In 1601 the Kennedy Earls of Cassilis were involved in a feud against their relations, the Kennedy Lairds of Bargany.^[5] The Earls of Cassillis were supported by the Clan Fergusson and the Laird of Bargany was killed.^[5]

From 1649 to 1651, John Kennedy, 6th Earl of Cassilis was Lord Justice General of Scotland and a zealous Protestant.^[2] He and his son, the seventh Earl, were both firm supporters of Parliament during the Civil War.^[2] The Justice General also sat in Oliver Cromwell's House of Lords.^[2] The Kennedys suffered for their beliefs but their estates remained largely intact.^[2]

The Kennedy of Kermuck branch of the clan were hereditary constables of Aberdeen from at least 1413.^[2] The Kennedys of Kermuck were outlawed when in 1652 the father and son of the family mortally wounded John Forbes of Watertown.^[2]

18th and 19th centuries

When the Eighth Earl of Cassillis died there was a court dispute lasting three years to determine the succession.^[2] The titles and estates of the Kennedys were claimed by William Douglas, afterwards duke of Queensberry, a great grandson in the female line of the 7th earl and also by Sir Thomas Kennedy, Bart., of Culzean, a descendant of the 3rd earl, i.e. by the heir general and the heir male. In January 1762, the House of Lords found in favour of Thomas.^[2][6] On 30 November 1775, Thomas died unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother David, who commissioned Robert Adam to build Culzean Castle, and died unmarried on 18 December 1792.^[2][6]

With David, the baronetcy became extinct. The earldom of Cassillis now passed to a cousin, Archibald Kennedy, a captain in the royal navy, whose father, Archibald Kennedy (died 1763), had migrated to America in 1722 and had become collector of customs in New York. His son, the 11th earl, had estates in New Jersey and married an American heiress; in 1765 he was said to own more houses in New York than any one else. He died in London on 30 December 1794, and was succeeded by his son Archibald (1770–1846), who was created Baron Ailsa in 1806 and marquess of Ailsa in 1831. His great-grandson Archibald (born 1847) became 3rd marquess.^[6]

The 1st Dragoons at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 Capture of the Eagle

Lieutenant General Sir Clark Kennedy served through the entire Peninsular War and in 1815 he commanded the centre squadron of the Royal Dragoons at the Battle of Waterloo.^[2] At Waterloo he personally captured the eagle and colours of the 105th Regiment of French Infantry.^[2] Sir Clark was from the Kennedy of Moray branch of the clan.^[2]

20th century

The lawyer, historian, author and campaigner for the righting of legal injustice, Ludovic Kennedy was a notable member of the Kennedy clan. In his collected writings, he recalls the story of his forebear, Captain Archibald Kennedy returning from New York at the end of the 18C to Culzean Castle to assume the earldom of Cassillis ^[7]

Castles

Cassillis House, Scottish Lowlands. Seat of the Chiefs of Clan Kennedy. Photo by Mary and Angus Hogg

• Cassillis House, near Maybole. Seat of the chiefs.
• Culzean Castle was a former seat of the chiefs.
• Dunure Castle in South Ayrshire was the original stronghold of the chiefs.
• Dalquharran Castle in South Ayrshire once owned by the Kennedys of Kirkhill and Dunure; now a ruin
• Cruggleton Castle, Sorbie, Wigtownshire
• Dunduff Castle
• Greenan Castle in Ayr
• Maybole Castle
• Kinmuck Castle
• Old Ellon Castle

Base of Scottish family tree

Here is the base of the family tree:

• John Kennedy of Dunure and Cassillis M Heiress of the Carrick Earls
  • Sir Gilbert
    • James M Princess Mary (2nd daughter of Robert III)
      • Gilbert (Became Lord Kennedy in about 1457)
    • .x James Kennedy (He served as High Chancellor of Scotland and was Bishop of Dunkeld, and later Archbishop of St Andrews. At St Andrews he founded St. Salvator's College in 1450 and is one of the founders of the University of St Andrews)
      • • Hugh Kennedy of Ardstinchar (Part of the Great Army of Scotland during the Hundred Years War and fought at the Battle of Bauge, and with Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orleans)
          • Sir David (Third lord of Kennedy, created Earl of Cassilis in 1509)

Scottish chief

• The Most Hon. David Thomas Kennedy, 9th Marquess of Ailsa, who is also Earl of Cassillis, Lord Kennedy, Baron Ailsa and Chief of the Name and Arms of Kennedy, of Ailsa.^[8]
• Arms: Scottish: Argent, a chevron Gules between three cross crosslets fichée Sable, all within a double tressure flory counterflory Gules.

v t e Family tree of the Marquess of Ailsa, Earl of Eglinton, and Earl of Cassilis

Robert III c. 1337–1406 King of Scotland Lord Montgomerie, 1448 Alexander Montgomerie d. 1470 1st Lord Montgomerie James Kennedy Younger of Dunure Mary Stewart Lord Kennedy, 1457 Alexander Montgomerie 1404–1452 styled Master of Montgomerie Elizabeth Gilbert Kennedy c. 1406 – c. 1480 1st Lord Kennedy James Kennedy c. 1408–1465 Archbishop of St Andrews Alexander Montgomerie d. c. 1483 2nd Lord Montgomerie Catherine Colin Campbell c. 1433–1493 1st Earl of Argyll John Kennedy 1454–1508 2nd Lord Kennedy Earl of Eglinton, 1506 Earl of Cassilis, 1234 Hugh Montgomerie c. 1460–1545 1st Earl of Eglinton, 3rd Lord Montgomerie Helen Archibald Campbell d. 1513 2nd Earl of Argyll David Kennedy After 1463–1513 1st Earl of Cassilis, 3rd Lord Kennedy John Montgomerie d. 1520 Isabel Gilbert Kennedy 1494–1527 2nd Earl of Cassilis, 4th Lord Kennedy Hugh Montgomerie d. 1546 2nd Earl of Eglinton, 4th Lord Montgomerie Gilbert Kennedy 1515–1558 3rd Earl of Cassilis, 5th Lord Kennedy Hugh Montgomerie c. 1531–1585 3rd Earl of Eglinton, 5th Lord Montgomerie Gilbert Kennedy c. 1541–1576 4th Earl of Cassilis, 6th Lord Kennedy Thomas Kennedy c. 1549–1602 styled Master of Cassilis Hugh Montgomerie 1563–1586 4th Earl of Eglinton, 6th Lord Montgomerie Margaret Robert Seton 1553–1603 1st Earl of Winton John Kennedy 1575–1615 5th Earl of Cassilis, 7th Lord Kennedy Hew Kennedy styled Master of Cassilis Alexander Kennedy d. 1652 Hugh Montgomerie d. 1612 5th Earl of Eglinton, 7th Lord Montgomerie Alexander Montgomerie 1588–1661 6th Earl of Eglinton, 8th Lord Montgomerie John Kennedy d. 1668 6th Earl of Cassilis, 8th Lord Kennedy John Kennedy d. 1665 Alexander Kennedy d. 1698 Hugh Montgomerie 1613–1669 7th Earl of Eglinton, 9th Lord Montgomerie James Montgomerie of Coylsfield d. 1675 John Kennedy 1653–1701 7th Earl of Cassilis, 9th Lord Kennedy Kennedy Baronet of Culzean, in the County of Ayr, 1682 Alexander Montgomerie d. 1701 8th Earl of Eglinton, 10th Lord Montgomerie Hugh Montgomery John Kennedy c. 1672–1700 styled Lord Kennedy Archibald Kennedy d. 1710 1st Kennedy Baronet of Culzean Alexander Seton Montgomerie c. 1660–1729 9th Earl of Eglinton, 11th Lord Montgomerie Susanna Montgomerie 1690–1780 Alexander Montgomerie d. 1783 John Kennedy 1700–1759 8th Earl of Cassilis, 10th Lord Kennedy John Kennedy d. 1742 2nd Kennedy Baronet of Culzean Archibald Kennedy 1685–1763 Alexander Montgomerie 1723–1769 10th Earl of Eglinton, 12th Lord Montgomerie Archibald Montgomerie 1726–1796 11th Earl of Eglinton, 13th Lord Montgomerie Hugh Montgomerie 1739–1819 12th Earl of Eglinton, 14th Lord Montgomerie, 1st Baron Ardrossan John Kennedy d. 1744 3rd Kennedy Baronet of Culzean Thomas Kennedy d. 1775 9th Earl of Cassilis, 11th Lord Kennedy, 4th Kennedy Baronet of Culzean David Kennedy before 1734–1792 10th Earl of Cassilis, 12th Lord Kennedy, 5th Kennedy Baronet of Culzean Archibald Kennedy 1720–1794 11th Earl of Cassilis, 13th Lord Kennedy Kennedy Baronet of Culzean extinct, 1792 Baron Ailsa, of Ailsa in the County of Ayr, 1806 Marquess of Ailsa, 1831 Mary Montgomerie d. 1848 Archibald Montgomerie 1773–1814 styled Lord Montgomerie Archibald Kennedy 1770–1846 1st Marquess of Ailsa and Baron Ailsa, 12th Earl of Cassilis, 14th Lord Kennedy Archibald Kennedy IV 1794–1832 styled Earl of Cassilis Earl of Winton (2nd creation) and Baron Seton and Tranent, 1859 Archibald William Montgomerie 1812–1861 13th Earl of Eglinton, 1st Earl of Winton and Baron Seton and Tranent, 15th Lord Montgomerie Archibald Kennedy 1816–1870 2nd Marquess of Ailsa and Baron Ailsa, 13th Earl of Cassilis, 15th Lord Kennedy Archibald William Montgomerie 1841–1892 14th Earl of Eglinton, 2nd Earl of Winton and Baron Seton and Tranent, 16th Lord Montgomerie George Arnulph Montgomerie 1848–1919 15th Earl of Eglinton, 3rd Earl of Winton and Baron Seton and Tranent, 17th Lord Montgomerie Archibald Kennedy 1847–1838 3rd Marquess of Ailsa and Baron Ailsa, 14th Earl of Cassilis, 16th Lord Kennedy Archibald Seton Montgomerie 1880–1945 16th Earl of Eglinton, 4th Earl of Winton and Baron Seton and Tranent, 18th Lord Montgomerie Archibald Kennedy 1872–1943 4th Marquess of Ailsa and Baron Ailsa, 15th Earl of Cassilis, 17th Lord Kennedy Charles Kennedy 1875–1956 5th Marquess of Ailsa and Baron Ailsa, 16th Earl of Cassilis, 18th Lord Kennedy Angus Kennedy 1882–1957 6th Marquess of Ailsa and Baron Ailsa, 17th Earl of Cassilis, 19th Lord Kennedy Archibald William Alexander Montgomerie 1914–1966 17th Earl of Eglinton, 5th Earl of Winton and Baron Seton and Tranent, 19th Lord Montgomerie Archibald David Kennedy 1925–1997 7th Marquess of Ailsa and Baron Ailsa, 18th Earl of Cassilis, 20th Lord Kennedy Archibald George Montgomerie 1939–2018 18th Earl of Eglinton, 6th Earl of Winton and Baron Seton and Tranent, 20th Lord Montgomerie Hugh Archibald William Montgomerie b. 1966 19th Earl of Eglinton, 7th Earl of Winton and Baron Seton and Tranent, 21st Lord Montgomerie Archibald Angus "Charles" Kennedy 1956–2015 8th Marquess of Ailsa and Baron Ailsa, 19th Earl of Cassilis, 21st Lord Kennedy David Thomas Kennedy b. 1958 9th Marquess of Ailsa and Baron Ailsa, 20th Earl of Cassilis, 22nd Lord Kennedy Rhuridh Seton Archibald Montgomerie b. 2007 styled Lord Montgomerie Archibald David Kennedy b. 1995 styled Earl of Cassilis Heir apparent to the Earldom of Eglinton Heir apparent to the Marquessate of Ailsa

References

1. Kennedy Society of North America, Septs
2. Way, George and Squire, Romily. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 182 - 183.
3. Records of the family of Cassels and connexions pg 4 https://digital.nls.uk/histories-of-scottish-families/archive/95363491#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=17&xywh=-2076%2C-682%2C7151%2C3616
4. Guthrie, William (1767). A General History of Scotland. Vol. 4. Paternoster Row, London: A. Hamilton, Robinson and Roberts. pp. 371-372. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
5. Way, George and Squire, Romily. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 136 - 137.
6.  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Kennedy". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
7. Kennedy, Ludovic (1991). Truth to tell : the collected writings of Ludovic Kennedy. London: Bantam Press. ISBN 0-593-02324-2. OCLC 26929211.
8. burkespeerage.com

External links

• Kennedy Society of North America
• The Kennedy Surname One-Name Study
• Kennedy Heraldry