CLAN LOGAN

'Clan Logan' is a Lowland Scottish clan without a chief recognized by Lyon Court, and therefore can be considered an Armigerous clan.^[1] Traditionally both Clan Logan and Clan MacLennan have been thought to be related.

Contents

Origins of the clan

History

Clan MacLennan Controversy

Clan profile

See also

Notes

References

External links

Origins of the clan

The surname Logan is a territorial name, likely derived from the lands of Logan in present Ayrshire, Scotland.^[2] The earliest record of the surname is of Robert Logan who is recorded as witnessing the resignation of the lands of Ingilbristoun in 1204. Several Logans are listed as paying homage to Edward I of England in the Ragman Rolls of 1296; Phelipp de Logyn (burgois de Monros), Thurbrandus de (del counte de Dunfres), Wautier Logan (del counte de Lanark) and Andreu de (del counte de Wiggeton).^[3]
Walter Logan, lord of Hartside was a sheriff of Lanark in 1301, and in 1298 had received a grant of the lands of "Lus" from Robert Bruce.^[4] This Walter Logan appears twice on a roll of landowners forfeited in 1306 by Edward I, for supporting Robert the Bruce. The first instance of Logan has John Cromwell as the petitioner for Logan's forfeited lands, while the second instance of Walter Logan has William Mulcaster and John Bisset petitioning for his lands.^[5]
In 1306 Dominus Walter Logan was taken prisoner by the English forces and hanged at Durham, in the pressense of Edward of Carnarvon (the future Edward II of England).^[6]
In 1330 two Logans of note were killed in Spain while accompanying Sir James Douglas in his quest to take the heart of the dead King Robert I of Scotland to the Holy Land.^[7] Douglas and his company had been received by Alfonso XI of Castile, who campaigning against the Moors, in the Kingdom of Granada. Near the ''Castillo de la Estrella'' , Alfonso's army fought the Saracens at the Battle of Teba. During the battle Douglas observed a knight of his company surrounded by Moorish warriors, and with his remaining men attempted to relieve his countryman. As the knights were hard pressed and outnumbered by the Moors, Sir James Douglas took the silver casket containing the heart of Robert Bruce, and threw it before him among the enemy, saying, "Now pass thou onward before us, as thou wert wont, and I will follow thee or die." Sir James Douglas and most of his men were slain, among them Sir Robert Logan and Sir Walter Logan.
The leading Logan family's principle seat was located in Lastalrig or Restalrig, located near Edinburgh. Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig married Katherine Stewart, daughter of Robert II of Scotland,^[8] and later in 1400 Sir Robert was appointed Admiral of Scotland.
Sir Robert Logan was one of the hostages given in 1424 to free James I of Scotland from being held in England. Robert's son or grandson, John Logan of Restalrig, was made principle sheriff of Edinburgh by James II of Scotland.
In 1555 Logan of Restalrig sold the superiority of Leith (the principle seaport of Edinburgh) to the queen regent Mary of Lorraine (aka. Marie de Guise).
The last Logan to possess the barony was Robert Logan of Restalrig, who was described by contemperaries as "''ane godless, drunkin, and deboshit man''". Sir Walter Scott described him as "''one of the darkest characters of that dark age''".

History

There is a great deal of evidence for both a Highland and Lowland home for our clan. DNA research into Logan lines which claim a Highland origin have a remarkable similarity to the few clans which claim descent from the Scotti, the founders of the first Scottish Kingdom of Dal Riada around 450 CE. It is from this evidence that we can see a very ancient Celtic blood line, at least for the Highland Logans. The Lowland Logans have for some time been given a Norman, rather than Gaelic origin, but this has yet to be proven beyond doubt.
James Logan in calibration with R.R. McIan, in the book "The Clans of The Scottish Highlands" (ISBN 0 907486 38 X), published in 1848 did a very detailed study of the origins for clan Logan. Some of his work has been discredited over the years, but no one has yet to do a more detailed study the clan and it's history. The following is his text.
It is accounted most honourable to be distinguished by a local appellation, as it is an indication that the property from which it is derived was in possession of the founder of the tribe or family. Logan and lagan signify a low lying, or flat tract of country, and these terms occur in various parts of Scotland; in some cases giving name to a parish, as Logan in Ayr, and Laggan in Invernesshire.
In 1364-5, Henry Logan obtains a salvus conductuctus to pass through England to Flanders and return, with six companions on horseback, and others of the name obtained similar passports for different purposes in subsequent years.
The Logans of Lastalrig, were chiefs of the name in the south of Scotland, and this property, with other lands near Berwick, they held prior to the thirteenth century. In the time of Malcolm IV., who reiged from 1153, to 1165, "Edwardus de Lastalrig", gave to God, Saint Mary, and Saint Ebbe, and to Herbert, and the monks of Coldinghame, two toftd of land in Eiemouth, and one in Leith, "reddendo annuatim pro recognitione, tres terses de Lano serico", to be paid at the feast of Pentecost, wherever it might be demanded. By another deed, he grants to the convent of the blessed Mary, Newbottle, a considerable piece of ground at Leith, and the monks of North Berwick were treated with equal generosity, by his son and successor, Thomas. Coll. in Mus. Advoc. Edinb.
The preceptory of Saint Anthony, the picturesque ruins of which are to be seen on a small level in the precipitous ascent of Arthur's seat, beside Edinburgh, was founded in 1430, by Sir Robert logan of Lastalrig, and it was the only establishment of this order in Scotland. The collegiate church of Lastalrig, a fine Gothic structure, now restored and made the parish kirk of South Leith, is mentioned as early as 1170. If it was not founded by the Logans, whose castle was closely adjoining, they were great benefactors thereto, and were patrons of the valuable living.
It was the misfortune of the barons of Lastalrig, that they possessed property so near to Edinburgh, and held the superiority of lands, the improvement of which was so necessary for the rising prosperity of the capital. the corporation and the Logans began to live on disagreeable terms; quarrels arose between their retainers and the burgesses; brawls and bloodshed took place in the streets of Edinburgh, and one of the lairds was clapt in jail, under the vague charge of being "a turbulent and implacable neighbour, and had put certain indignities upon the Edinburghers". Finally, that mysterious affair, the Gowrie conspiracy, "afforded an opportune occasion for the citizens to get rid of their superiors, and the crafty James VI., to gratify his own revenge, for the raid of Ruthven, and his grasping favourites with the forfeited estates".
A series of letters addressed to the Earl of Gowrie were produced, alleged to have been "written everie word and subscribed by" him, in which he is implicated as a zealous partisan in the alleged treasonable plot. Logan had been dead nine years, but as by the Scottish law, a traitor was required to be present at his own trial., the mouldering remains were exhumed and produced in court! An infamous fellow had sworn that the letters, which were not originals, and had appeared in different forms and numbers, during the trial, were purloined, and preserved by him. He afterwards recanted, declaring that "he had no wish to live", but being urged by the authorities and a promise being made that his wife and family should be well provided for, he adhered to his first deposition, when, for surety's sake, he was forthwith hanged. The Lords of the Articles were, notwithstanding, prepared to bring in a verdict of acquittal, but the Earl of Dunbar, who got most of Logan's estates, "travelled so earnestly to overcome their hard opinions of the process", that they at last acknowledged themselves convinced! The forfeiture was accompanied by proscription, so that, as in the case of the Clan Gregor, it was illegal for any one to bear the name Logan.
The effect of these astounding proceedings was, that many families were obliged to abandon, with the loss of their name, their ancient possessions, and adopt other designations, whence great confusion in families and property arose.
These transactions relative to the house of Lastalrig, have been dwelt upon rather lengthily; but they show in what manner the power and influence of tribes have been reduced, in the unsettled ages of society, and their possessions seized, by the tyranny of monarchs and the unbridled cupidity of courtiers.
The Logans of Lastalrig had ample lands, either in the own possession or as superiors, in the counties of Ayr, Renfrew, Perth, Lanark, Aberdeen, and even so far north as Moray, where they held the barony of Abernethie, in Strathspey.
It seems impossible to arrive at anything satisfactory respecting the history of the Ceann-cinnidh, or head of this race, previous to Colan Logan, heiress of Druimanairig, who married Eachuin Beirach, a son of the baron of Kintail, who died at Eadarachaolis, about 1350, leaving a son, Eanruig, from whom are derived the sliochd Harich, or those of the race in the island of Harris. Although by the "courtesy of Scotland" a person marrying as heiress takes her name, yet the celtic law, or patriarchal rule, does not give him the chiefship, which, like the salique law which prevailed in France, excludes the "regimen of woman". It would therefore appear that the Logans left wester, and moved towards Easter Ross, the chief settling in Ardmeinach, since called Ellan dubh, or the Black Isle, and although they have always been highly respected and enterprising in farming and commercial pursuits, they afford an instance of the loss of a considerable landed inheritance, and in a great measure of the original strength of patriarchal influence.
One of these chiefs, who was called Gilliegorm, from his dark complexion, was renowned for his warlike prowess. He married a relative of the Lord Lovat, but fell into an unfortunate misunderstanding with the Frasers, arising from some clain which is not, now precisely known, but which he endeavoured to make good by force of arms. Hugh, the second Lord Lovat, determined to settle the matter of dispute, summoned to his assistance, 24 gentlemen of his name from the south, and being joined by some Mac Ra's and others, he marched with his clan from Aird, against Gilliegorm, who mustered his forces, and was fully prepared to meet his enemies. Some overtures for a peaceable settlement of differences being rejected, a sanguinary battle took place on the muir above Kessock, where Logan was slain with most part of his clansmen. Lovat plundered the lands and carried off the wife of Gilliegorm, who was then with child; but the barbarous resolution was formed, that, if it were male, it should be maimed or destroyed, lest, when grown up, the son might revenge his father's death. The child proved a male, but humanity prevailed, and he was suffered to live, there being the less to be apprehended from which he received the appellation "Crotach", or humpbacked. He was educated by the monks of Beauly, entered holy orders, and travelled through the Highlands, founding the churches of Kilmôr in Skye, and Kilichrinan in Glenelg. He seems to have had a dispensation to marry, for he left several children, one of whom, according to a common practice, became a devotee of Finan, a popular Highland saint; and hence he was called Gillie Fhinan, his descendants being Mac Ghillie Fhinans. The Fh being aspirated, the pronunciation is Ghilli'inan, which has now become Mac Lennan.
The late Logan of Logan, in Ayrshire, who was the last of his name, having left only a daughter, who married a Mr. Campbell, was celebrated for his wit, and a considerable degree of eccentricity; but the amusing publication which was brought out under his name is a compilation of drolleries, a small portion of which only could emanate from him.
The castle of Lasteric, some remains of which still exist, was the usual dwelling of the lairds of that title, but they also possessed the strong and picturesque Fast Castle, with those of Fleurs, Gunsgreen, &c. The residence of the northern Logans is situated on a height called originally Druim-na-clavan, but, after the above described battle, the name was changed to Druim-an-deur, "the ridge of tears". Robert Logan, Esq., banker, London, is representative of this ancient family, and possessor of the property, which is now called Drum-deur-fait.
A wooden figure of Gilliegorm, whose cairn was lately to be seen on the muir, among others of lesser size, was long preserved at Druim deur fait, with great care, "until after the Battle of Dunblane, in 1715, when a party of Sutherlands and Munros, under pretence of the public good, having found this relick, charged the Logans with popery and the worship of this figure, which, after plundering the place, they destroyed".

Clan MacLennan Controversy

Logan or MacLennan tartan, as recorded by J. Logan in ''The Scottish Gaël'' (1831).^[9]

The first controversy surrounds the tartan which our two clans wear. First recorded in 1831 by the historian James Logan, in his book ''The Scottish Gaël'', the name for this tartan was Logan. The only known reference to this tartan beginning its association with Clan MacLennan, is the MacLennan print by R. R. McIan.
McIan, was the mastermind behind ''The Clans of The Scottish Highlands'', which was published in 1848. McIan, did all of the illustrations, while James Logan provided all of the text. The information provided to Logan on the history of Clan Logan pointed to an ancient link between the Logans and MacLennans. The plate for MacLennan, shows a man from this clan wearing the Logan tartan, but no name is given to it unlike every other clan tartan shown. Given the style of writing at the time and subtleties used by both the artist and writer, this is not a surprise and allows them to pay homage to the story of the origin of MacLennan. It should also be noted, that until the early nineteenth century there were no such thing as "clan tartans". The Logan tartan would be by consequence claimed by the Clan MacLennan.
The founder of the MacLennan’s was at best the great grandson of Gilliegorm Logan (a mythical Chief of Clan Logan from circa 1372), and was far removed from the holdings of the Clan Logan. The MacLennan were subservient to clans Fraser and MacKenzie at various times.
The issue of Chiefly Arms has come up as a point of contention, with the heart of the Bruce being incorporated into the Arms of the MacLennan Chief, being given as proof of relationship. This could however not be farther from the truth. The current Chief of MacLennan may have a heart in his Arms, but the recorded Arms of the Chiefly line of MacLennan were of a shield argent, three piles (long points), sable, in chief, and in base, a cross crosslet fitchee, gules. The Crest was an arm and broadsword, proper, with the Motto (same as current) Dum Spiro Spero. The Arms and Crest of the old line of MacLennan Chiefs show no regard to Logan heritage at all.
The current Chief of Clan MacLennan, Ruairidh D. G. MacLennan of MacLennan, has also added to this controversy by stating that the first known of that name was Duncan MacLennan of Strathearn. Duncan is mentioned in a charter of King Alexander II in 1217 as being the Laird of Bombie, and it is through him that the MacLellans are said to have originated (by the MacLennans only). This is over one hundred years before the birth of the child of Gilligorm Logan.
This history is further complicated by the mention of Lide MacLennan and his twelve hundred men in the authenticity debated Ossianic poetry, which is purported to be sixth century. St. Adomnán of Iona is also said to have recorded that they occupied Glenshiel at this time.
Other sources on MacLennan, site that the clan was at Eilean Donan castle before 1263 and that the MacGillafinnens, or MacLennans, were titled Lords of Loch Erne, Tairg, and Muintir Peodachain.
With all of the evidence to suggest that MacLennan are an old and proud clan, and in existence as long or longer than that of Logan, the descendantcy of the current line of MacLennan Chiefs includes none of this. They site their origin to Gille Fhinnein, grandson of Gilligorm Logan, and show no connection to any MacLennan before this time.

Clan profile

Furze (Gorse): The Clan Logan Badge.

★ Clan Crest: A passion nail piercing a human heart, proper.


★ Clan Badge: Furze.


★ Clan Motto: Hoc majorum virtus (Latin), ''This is the valour of my ancestors''.


★ Clan Slogan: Druim-nan-deur (Scottish Gaelic), ''The Ridge of Tears''.


★ Clan Tartan: Logan / MacLennan. (Both clans Logan and MacLennan share the same tartan).


★ Clan Chief: At present, the seat of Clan Chief has been dormant since the death of George Logan of that Ilk, who recorded his Arms into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland in 1673.

See also

★ Clan MacLennan

★ Scottish clan

★ Armigerous clan

Notes

1. http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/clanmenu.htm Retrieved on July 28 2007
2. ''The Surnames of Scotland'', p.436-437.
3. ''Publica Sive Processus Super Fidelitatibus...'', p.124, 125, 161, INDEX NOMINUM xxxii.
4. ''Robert Bruce'', p.224.
5. ''Robert Bruce'', p.447, 448.
6. ''The Scottish Nation'', p.687-688.
7. ''The Clans And Tartans Of Scotland'', p.138-139.
8. http://www.thepeerage.com/p10532.htm#i105317 Retrieved on July 28 2007
9. ''The Setts of the Scottish Tartans'', p.65.

References

★ R.R. McIan, "The Clans of The Scottish Highlands" (ISBN 0 907486 38 X)

★ International Clan Logan Society, Inc.

★ Our Valour©, newsletter of the International Clan Logan Society, Inc.
;works cited

★ Anderson, William. ''The Scottish Nation; Or The Surnames, Families, Literature, Honours, And Biographical History Of The People Of Scotland''. (vol.2). Edinburgh: A. Fullarton & Co., 1862.

★ Bain, Robert. ''The Clans And Tartans Of Scotland''. London and Glasgow: Fontana and Collins, 1983. ISBN 0 00 411117 6

★ Barrow, G W S. ''Robert Bruce, and the Community of the Realm of Scotland''. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1965.

★ Black, George Fraser. (1946). ''The Surnames of Scotland : Their Origin, Meaning and History''. (New York).

★ Stewart, Donald C. ''The Setts of the Scottish Tartans, with descriptive and historical notes''. London: Shepheard-Walwyn, 1974. ISBN 0 85603 011 9

★ Thompson, Thomas. (1834). ''Publica Sive Processus Super Fidelitatibus Et Homagiis Scotorum Domino Regi Angliæ Factis A.D. MCCXCI-MCCXCVI''. (Bannatyne Club).

External links

★ http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/htol/logan.html

★ http://www.clanlogansociety.com/

★ http://www.scotclans.com/clans/Logan/people.html

★ http://www.angelfire.com/ok5/ritterfamilyok/logan.html

★ http://home.pacbell.net/mburd/scotland.html