| Clan MacKinnon | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Clann MacFhionghain[1] | |||
| Motto | Audentes Fortuna Juvat (fromLatin: "Fortune assists the daring").[2] | ||
| Slogan | Cuimhnich bàs Alpein (translation from Gaelic: "Remember the death of Alpin").[3] | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Inner Hebrides | ||
| Plant badge | Scots Pine.[4] | ||
| Chief | |||
 | |||
| Madam Anne Gunhild MacKinnon of MacKinnon | |||
| 38th Chief of the Name and Arms of MacKinnon.[5] (Mac Fhionghain[1]) | |||
| Historic seat | Caisteal Maol | ||
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Clan MacKinnon (Scottish Gaelic:Clann MhicFhionghain[ˈkʰl̪ˠãũn̪ˠvĩçˈkʲiŋɣɛn]) is aHighlandScottish clan from the islands ofMull andSkye, in theInner Hebrides.
Popular tradition gives the clan aDalriadic Gaelic origin. The 19th-centuryhistorianW. F. Skene named the clan as one of the seven clans ofSiol Alpin, who according to Skene could all trace their ancestry back toAlpin, father ofCináed mac Ailpín.[7] Popular tradition has been until recently to considerCináed mac Ailpín the firstKing of Scots and aGael, however recent research speculates Cináed was aPictish king and possibly even aPict himself.[8] SirIain Moncreiffe of that Ilk speculated that Clan MacKinnon belonged to the kindred of SaintColumba, noting the MacKinnonarms bore the hand of the saint holding theCross, and the several Mackinnonabbots ofIona.[9]
Though little is known of the early history of the clan, it is likely to have served under the Lords of the Isles.[7] After the forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles in 1493 the clan would have gained some independence,[7] and was at various times allied or at war with neighbouring clans such as theMacLeans and theMacDonalds.[10] The clan supported theJacobites in the 17th and 18th centuries, and tradition has the chief of the clan aiding in the escape ofBonnie Prince Charlie in his flight to France.[11] Because of their support for the lastJacobite rising the MacKinnon chiefs lost the last of their ancient clan lands.[11]
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According to legend, the castle of Dunakin (today known asCaisteal Maol), nearKyleakin, was built by aNorwegian princess known as Saucy Mary, who marriedFindanus the claimed ancestor of Clan Mackinnon.[12] The princess was to have collected the tolls of ships sailing through the narrows between the castle and the mainland, though Norse ships were exempt from her toll.[12] To ensure that her taxes were paid a chain was stretched across thekyle.[12] On her death she was buried beneath acairn onBeinn na Caillich (the mountain of the old woman).[12]
ThesurnameMacKinnon is anAnglicisation of theGaelicMac Fhionghuin, which is apatronymic form of the Gaelicpersonal name meaning "fair born" or "fair son".[13] This personal name appears in theBook of Deer, in thegenitive form asFinguni.[14] In theAnnals of the Four Masters, aFínghin, described as "anchorite and Bishop of Iona", is recorded as dying in 966.[15]Middle Irish forms of the name areFinghin andFinnguine, while theModern Irish isFindgaine.[14] These names are thought to derive from theprehistoric GaelicVindo-gonio-s (translation: "fair-born").[14] The AnglicisedMacKinnon can also derive from the GaelicMac Ionmhuinn, a similar patronymic name meaning "son of the beloved one".[13] In consequence some "Mackinvens" have Anglicised their name toLove orLow (however most Love or Low surnames are not derived this way, having no connection with the MacKinnons).[14]
According to theCollins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia the Mackinnons gave shelter toRobert the Bruce when he was afugitive escaping toCarrick.[16] After Bruce's victory at theBattle of Bannockburn in 1314 the Mackinnons were rewarded with land on theIsle of Skye.[16] The Mackinnon chiefs then lived at Dunringall Castle and were styled "of Strathardale".[16]
Little is known of the early history of the clan.[7] The 19th-century historianWilliam Forbes Skene gave the clan a descent linked to the clans of Siol Alpin. He claimed that theFinguine who appears in theMS 1450 was the brother of theAnrias of whom theClan Gregor claim descent from in about 1130.[7] Because of the clan's early association with theLords of the Isles there is no trace of early history of the Mackinnons as an independent clan. On the forfeiture of the last Lord of the Isles in the 1490s the clan at last gained some independence, though the Clan Mackinnon was always a minor clan and never gained any great power.[7] According to Skene, theMS 1450 proved that Clan Mackinnon was a branch of Clan Gregor.[7] Skene maintained that theFinguine listed, was the brother ofAnrias in the Clan Gregor genealogy.[7] The genealogy within the manuscript is as follows (original spelling initalics):Niall, son ofColum, son ofGillabrigde, son ofEogan, son ofGillabrigde, son ofSaineagain, son ofFinlaeie, son ofFinguine, from whom sprung clanfinguin, son ofCormac, son ofAirbertaig, son ofMuircheach, son ofFearchair oig.[17]
According to the historianDonald Gregory the first authentic record of the clan is found in an indenture betweenJohn of Islay, Lord of the Isles and theLord of Lorn, in 1354.[10] In the indenture, Lorn agreed to hand over the Isle of Mull and other lands, if the castle of Cairn na Burgh, located onCairn na Burgh Mòr in theTreshnish Isles, was not delivered into the keeping of any ofClan Finnon.[10] Sometime after the death of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles, in 1386,John Mór (younger son of John of Islay) rebelled against his elder brotherDomhnall, in an attempt to take the Lordship of the Isles for himself.[7] According to a manuscript relating the history of the MacDonalds, written in the 17th century, it was Finnon, known as theGreen Abbot, and "a subtle and wicked councillor", who persuaded John Mór to revolt against his brother.[18] It further states that the eloquentGreen Abbot then persuaded the MacLeans and MacLeods of Harris to aid in John Mór's revolt, and acquire islands for themselves.[18] Though assisted by his allies, John Mor was defeated, and by 1395 had fled to Ireland. John Mór was later pardoned by his brother, though the MacDonald history states that theGreen Abbot's kinsman, the Mackinnon chief, washanged for his part.[18] TheGreen Abbot himself, was spared only because he was a churchman, and spent the rest of his life imprisoned on Iona by the Macdonalds.[18]
The earliest record of the Mackinnons is ofLachlan Makfingane, who witnessed a charter byDonald de Ile, dominus Insularum, toHector Macgilleone, dominus deDoward, on 1 November 1409.[14] Later in 1467,Lachlann M'Fynwyn de Myschenys, witnessed a charter by theLord of the Isles.[14] According to the 17th century MacDonald manuscript, in a description of the Lord of the Isles'Council of the Isles, "MacFinnon was obliged to see weights and measures adjusted".[19]
The chief'screst is aboar's head erased, argent, holding in its mouth a deer's shankbone,proper.[4] A Mackinnon legend that is supposed to explain the chief's crest is of a Mackinnon who was hunting on the shores ofLoch Scavaig in Skye. After becoming separated from his hunting party the Mackinnon spent the night in a cave for shelter. While preparing some venison which he was about to cook over an open fire he was attacked by a wild boar which charged into the cave. Mackinnon then drove the butchered deer's leg into the mouth of the boar, jamming it open, before killing the wild animal.[20]
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The early clan seems to have had a close connection with the abbacy on the smallInner Hebridean island ofIona. The abbacy of Iona was first founded in 563 by Saint Columba, and many following abbots were selected from his kindred (Cenel Conaill: descendants ofConall Gulban, who was Columba's great-grandfather and the founder ofTír Conaill).[9] Moncreiffe speculated that the MacKinnons were also of this kindred, and noted their coat of arms bore the hand of the saint holding the Cross.[9] Several MacKinnons wereBenedictineAbbots of Iona, who were leaders of the Benedictinemonastic community on the island of Iona. Finghuine MacFhionghain (fl. 1357–1405), and Eoin MacFhionghain (John MacKinnon, son of Lachlan MacKinnon) (1467–1498) who was the last Benedictine Abbot of Iona. His tomb lies in Iona to this day, along with the shaft of aCeltic cross, known today as 'MacKinnon's Cross', dedicated in 1489 to himself and his father (Lauchlan),[21][22] which is inscribed: "Hec Fingone: et: eivs: filii: Johannis: X: abbatis de Hy: facta: anno: Domini: måccccålxxxåixå".[14]
The Mackinnons regularly feuded with theClan Maclean.[16] However, after the forfeiture of the Lordship of the Isles the Mackinnons tended to follow the MacLeans of Duart, though occasionally the clan sided with theMacDonalds of Skye, in the MacDonald's battles with theMacLeods.[10] The name of the chief of the clan in 1493 is unknown, though in 1515 the chief was Neil Mackinnon of Mishnish.[10] Two years later, in 1517, Neil and several others, described as "kin, men, servants and partakers" of Lauchlan Maclean of Duart, were included in a remission which was obtained for their part in the rebellion of Sir Donald Macdonald of Lochalsh.[23] In 1545, Ewen, the chief of the clan, was one of the barons and council of the Isles who swore allegiance to the King of England, at Knockfergus in Ireland.[24]Donald Munro, High Dean of the Isles, in hisA Description of the Western Isles of Scotland Called Hybrides, in 1549, described the Mackinnon controlled lands at that time. On Skye were the lands of "Straytsnardill" (Strathairdle, of which later Mackinnon chiefs were designated), and "the castill ofDunnakyne perteining to Mackynnoun; the castillDunringill, perteining to the said Mackynnoun".[25] Munro also described the neighbouring island ofPabay as follows, "At the shore of Sky foresaid, lyes ane iyle callit Pabay, neyre ane myle in lenthe, full of woodes, guid for fishing, and a main shelter for thieves and cut-throats. It perteins to M’Kynnoun".[25] Of the island of Mull, Monro stated that, "this iyle pertains pairtly toM’Gillayne of Doward, pairtly toM’Gillayne of Lochbowy, pairtly to M’Kynnoun, and pairtly to theClandonald of awld".[25]
In 1579,Fynnoun MacKynnoun of Strathardill, and his sonLachlane Oig, were reported toJames VI, along with Maclaine of Lochbuie and the MacLeans, by John,Bishop of the Isles.[26] The Bishop of the Isles complained to the Scots king that these men were preventing him from receiving the rents of hisSee.[26] According to MacLean family tradition, sometime after the battle of Lochgruinard in 1598, the MacLeans led by Hector MacLean invaded the MacDonald island ofIslay, accompanied with MacLeod ofDunvegan, the Cameron of Lochiel, Mackinnon, and MacNiel ofBarra, with their followers.[26][27] MacLean and his men engaged the MacDonalds "at a place called Bern Bige, attacked and defeated them, and afterwards ravaged the whole island in revenge for the slaughter of the Macleans at Lochgruinart".[27]
On 12 July 1606Lauchlan Mackinnon of Strathairdle and Finlay Macnab of Bowaine, entered into a Bond of Friendship andManrent.[24] In the bond the two chiefs claimed to "come from ane house and one lineage", and promised to lend aid to each other.[24] The chief of Clan Mackinnon signed his name,Lauchland, mise Mac Fingon.[24] This bond was seen as further proof, by Skene, that the Mackinnons were descended from Siol Alpin.[24] Another bond ofmanrent, this time between the Mackinnons and MacGregors, has also been seen as proof of a Siol Alpin descent.[24] On 1671, in Kilmorie, Lauchlan Mackinnon of Strahairdle and James Macgregor of Macgregor, entered into the bond, stating that the two chiefs descended "fra twa breethren of auld descent".[24] In 1609, the chief of the clan,Lauchlane McKynnoun of that Ilk, was one of the highland chiefs and leading men who witnessed the statutes known as theStatutes of Iona, which were enacted to bring theWestern Isles under the control of theScottish Government.[28]
An indication of the relative extent of the estates of the three great chiefs of Skye at the end of the 17th century is afforded by the amount of rental for each: £7,000 for Macleod, £6,200 for Macdonald and £2,400 for Mackinnon[29] (at a time when 12Scottish pounds were approximately equivalent to one English pound sterling).
During theWars of the Three Kingdoms the Mackinnons followed theMarquess of Montrose, and took part in theBattle of Inverlochy on 2 February 1645.[16][24] The chief of Clan Mackinnon, Lauchlan Mackinnon, raised a regiment in aid ofCharles II, and was present at theBattle of Worcester. It is said that he was made aKnight Banneret at this battle, though this is thought improbable as such a custom was by then very much obsolete.[2] (Aknight banneret was created by asovereign on the field of battle and could leadvassals under his own banner).[30]
Although considered a relatively minor clan, it seems to have been of considerable strength.[2] Clan Mackinnon took part in theJacobite risings, supporting theStuarts, in the 18th century. In 1715, 150 Mackinnons fought with theMacdonalds of Sleat, at theBattle of Sherrifmuir.[16][24] Because of this the chief of the clan was forfeited, though he eventually received a pardon on 4 January 1727.[24] In the rebellion of 1745, the chief, then old and infirm, joined the forces ofCharles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) with a battalion of men.[24]Lord PresidentDuncan Forbes estimated that the Mackinnon force of that time was about 200 men.[31] "Mackinnons – The Laird of Mackinnon is their Chief, who in Irish is called Mackenoin holds his Lands of the Crown both in the Isles of Skye and Mull and Can raise 200 Men." Following the defeat of theJacobites at theBattle of Culloden, Charles Edward Stuart fled to the west coast of Scotland in order to flee to France. Tradition has the Mackinnons aiding the prince, with the chief concealing him in a cave, and the chief's wife bringing the prince refreshments of cold meat and wine.[24]
The Mackinnon chief was later captured by Government troops and spent a year in confinement before being put on trial, with his life at stake, inTilbury Fort.[11] Mackinnon was eventually spared his life and pardoned because of his advanced age. It is said, though, that upon leaving thecourtroom theAttorney General, SirDudley Ryder, asked Mackinnon, "IfKing George were in your power, as you have been in his, what would you do?" Mackinnon replied, "I would do to him, as he has this day done to me; I would send him back to his own country".[11] Because of the chief's support of the Jacobite rebellion they lost Strathardle in 1765, and have since been held landless in their ancient clan lands.[11]
The last chief of the senior line died unmarried in 1808; he was the great-grandson of John, elder son of Lachlan Mor who fought at the Battle of Worcester.[11] The chiefship then passed to a representative of Lachlan Mor's second son, Donald. This Donald had apparently been taken prisoner at the Battle of Worcester and later traveled to the West Indies.[11] It was his great-great-grandson,William Alexander Mackinnon, who became thirty-third chief in 1808.[11] A later attempt by the Mackinnons ofCorriechatachan (a cadet branch) to claim the chiefship generated a great deal of controversy and a certain amount of local support in Skye,[32] but proved ultimately fruitless. The thirty-fifth chief of the clan wasFrancis Alexander Mackinnon. Today the current chief is Madam Anne Gunhild Mackinnon of Mackinnon, 38th Chief of the Name and Arms of Mackinnon, recognized by the Lord Lyon. She has two sons who are eligible upon her death to become chief under the blood line and providing they retain the MacKinnon name. In 2015 Madame Anne MacKinnon appointed Stephen MacKinnon of Massachusetts, U.S.A. as her representative of the Chief and is recognized as such by the Clan MacKinnon Society. She also appointed Stephen MacKinnon Chieftain of Mishnish.
The currentchieftess of Clan Mackinnon is Madame Anne Gunhild Mackinnon of Mackinnon, 38th Chief of the Name and Arms of Mackinnon.[5] The Antigua Chief of Mackinnon Madame Anne Gunheild Mackinnon of Mackinnon, 38th Chief is recognized by the Lord Lyon. While her outside contacts with Clan MacKinnon have been limited, the Clan MacKinnon Society made contact with her and she appointed in 2015 a Representative of the Chief, Stephen MacKinnon of Massachusetts, U.S.A. Stephen was also appointed at this time, Chieftain of Mishnish. Anne MacKinnon has never given up her position and in fact, has two sons who are eligible to inherit her title under the blood line and providing they retain the MacKinnon name.
| Tartan image | Notes |
|---|---|
.png) | Clan Mackinnontartan as published in theVestiarium Scoticum in 1842. Today there are many different tartans attributed to the Mackinnons. |
.jpg) | Mackinnon Hunting tartan. This modern tartan was registered withLyon Court in 1960, and is based upon the Mackinnon tartan found in the dubiousVestiarium Scoticum.[33] |
 | The MacKinnon Hunting Modern tartan[34] was registered withLyon Court in 1960 with a letter from 'The Mackinnon of Mackinnon', advising 'the correct setts for the Clan and Hunting Tartans of the Clan Mackinnon.'[35] (STA ref: 1641). |
Media related toClan Mackinnon at Wikimedia Commons
