Clan Schaw is a LowlandScottish clan. Clan Schaw does not have achief recognised by theLord Lyon King of Arms, therefore the clan has no standing underScots Law. Clan Schaw is anarmigerous clan, meaning that it had at one time a chief who possessed thechiefly arms, however no one at present is in possession of such arms.
The clan has no connection with the similarly namedClan Shaw of Tordarroch (commonly known asClan Shaw) which is one of the Highland clans of theClan Chattan Confederation.
InGeorge Crawfurd's 18th century publication,History of Renfrewshire, he stated that theantiquary Sir George Mackenzie claimed the clan descended from "Shiach, a son ofMacDuffEarl of Fife" from whom the clan took its name.[1] It has also been said the clan descends from a second son of Duncan, Earl of Fife, who wascup bearer to theking of Scots. Later, the 18th centuryheraldistAlexander Nisbet claimed that the clan may have acted ascup bearers toAlexander II orAlexander III.[2] There is however no real evidence to support any of these claims. Despite this, the arms of Schaw ofSauchie (the principal branch of the clan) allude to the office of cup bearer, and areblazoned as:Azure, three covered cupsOr. In this way the arms are similar to those of the Butler family in England.[2] Today members of Clan Schaw may wear acrest badge to show their allegiance to the clan. This crest badge contains theheraldic cresta demi savage Proper, and theheraldic mottoI MEAN WELL. The crest within the crest badge is derived from the arms of Schaw of Sauchie.[2]
The clan nameSchaw is either atopographic name or ahabitational name. The topographic name is for person who lived near acopse or thicket. It is derived from theMiddle Englishs(c)hage,s(c)hawe from theOld Englishsceaga. The habitational name could be derived from several places named with these words.[3] The earliest record of the lowland name is of Johnde Schau, who witnessed a deed in relation to the Abbey of Paisley in 1284.[4] Another early recordedSchaw is William Schaw who witnessed a charter in 1291 to theMonastery of Paisley.[2] In 1296, Symonde Schawe, Fergusde Shawe and Williamde Schawe ofLanark, all renderedhomage toEdward I, king of England.[4]
Sometime before 1309, the clan acquired the lands of Hayley, Wardlaw and Drumchaber inAyr from James,Great Steward of Scotland. In 1407, an agreement between John Schaw, lord of Hayley and Alan Cathcart was confirmed by charter under the great seal. John Schaw of Hayley was one of the men who made up the Embassy that negotiated the terms of marriage betweenJames III andMargaret, daughter of theChristian I,king of Denmark. In 1477, a younger son of John Schaw of Hayley received the lands of Sornbeg and Polkemmet. The principal family within the clan was said to have been the Schaws ofSauchie (their residence,Sauchie Tower still stands inClackmannanshire). A member of this family was John Schaw of Sauchie, who wasComptroller of the Royal Household to James III.[2] Other branches or families within the clan were located inKirkcudbrightshire andAyrshire, and also around the towns ofGreenock and Stirling.[4]
