MacLaren Family History & Ancestry
Let me regale you with the captivating history of your family, the MacLarens, a tale woven across the landscapes of Perthshire and Argyll, marked by two distinct origins, each encapsulating a legacy of resilience and honor. In Argyll, your lineage is traced back to Lorn, the progeny of Fergus MacErc, the visionary who founded the kingdom of Dalriada in the 6th century. In the melodic Gaelic tongue, your name resonates as Clann Labhruinn. Yet, it’s also tied to Laurence, the venerable 13th-century abbot of Achtow in Balquhidder, nestled within the ancient princedom of Strathearn.
The pages of history find resonance with three Maclaren nobles inscribed upon the Ragman Rolls of 1296, pledging allegiance to Edward I of England. However, the threads of your family’s loyalty may well have been woven into the Scottish tapestry at the hallowed grounds of Bannockburn in 1314, where your ancestors stood under the standard of Malise, Earl of Strathearn. With the changing tides, the Maclarens faced the challenges brought by more powerful neighbors as Balquhidder slipped from their grasp, a consequence of a shifting political landscape.
Through trials and tribulations, your family’s valor was tested. Amidst the Campbell-driven persecution of the Macgregors, Balquhidder saw strife as they turned to your lands, leaving behind a trail of destruction. In the face of this turmoil, your chiefs sought refuge under the wings of the Campbells, a plea that demanded a difficult price – acknowledgement as feudal superiors. In the shadows of this struggle, your lineage resolutely aligned with Montrose, rallying for Charles I’s cause, standing valiantly at Inverlochy, Auldearn, Alford, and Kilsyth.
As time flowed on, your family’s commitment to noble causes persisted. When the Stuarts called, your clan heeded the call, following James Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, to the fray at Killiecrankie in 1689, a testament to your enduring spirit. The echoes of your legacy reverberated through the tumultuous years that followed. The Fifteen saw the MacLarens in the thick of battle, their valor resounding at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. The surge of Jacobite fervor coursing through your veins propelled you to stand beside Prince Charles Edward Stuart, the ‘Young Pretender’, a journey marked by victories at Prestonpans and Falkirk, culminating in the heartache of Culloden in 1746.
At Culloden, your lineage stood firm, an unyielding bastion on the right of the line, a force united with the Appin regiment. Amidst the tumult, the story of Donald Maclaren unfolds – captured, carried away to Edinburgh, and then defiantly escaping en route to Carlisle. His legacy as a fugitive endured in the rugged hills of Balquhidder until the amnesty of 1757 finally set him free.
Through the winds of time, your family’s determination and unwavering spirit held strong. In more recent times, your chiefs have reclaimed ancestral lands, including the clan heartland of Creag an Tuirc, a sacred rallying point symbolizing your enduring bond. The echoes of your war cry resound through the ages, a testament to your family’s indomitable spirit and the legacy that shall forever burn bright.
The Family Crest
Wherever in the world you live, embrace your family heritage and adorn your home with a timeless symbol of your family legacy with our crafted Family Crests.
Family Crest Motto: CREAG AN TUIRC (The Boar’s Rock)
$150.00 Original price was: $150.00.$99.00Current price is: $99.00.
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