Inverugie castle

Cheyne Family

This family originated in Quesnai, Normandy. In England the name was originally spelt de Chesney or de Chasney, being 'latinised' as de Caisneto, and later Cheyney or Cheney. In Scotland the name was commonly spelt Chen from the early 14th century and Cheyne from about 1600. Its progenitor, who came to England at the time of or shortly after the Conquest, was Ralf de Caisneto.

About the beginning of the fourteenth century, Reginald or Ronald Cheyne, a celebrated chieftain, held great sway in Caithness. The Cheynes were, it appears of Norman extraction, and came to Scotland in quest of better fortune, with the Sinclairs and other chiefs who followed the standard of William the Conqueror. The principal residence of the Cheynes was the old castle of Inverugie, in the parish of St Fergus, Aberdeenshire.
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Cheyne coat of arms

• A1. Ralf de Caisneto, lvd:1086;
  • B1. William de Caisneto;
    • C1. William le Chen;
      • D1. Bernard le Chen of Inverugie;
        • E1. Sir Reginald of Inverugie, m. daughter of William de Comyn, Earl of Buchan;
          • F1. Sir Reginald of Inverugie, Duffus and Straloch, lvd:1267, m. Mary de Moravia;
            • G1. Sir Reginald, Sheriff of Inverness, m. Helen of Strathearn;  ==>  Earls of Strathearn
              • H1. Marjory le Chen, m. Nicolas Sutherland;  <==  Sutherland Clan
              • H2. Beatrix le Chen, m. Andrew Fraser;  <==  Fraser Clan
            • G2. Francis le Chen of Straloch, m. Isabel Comyn;  ==>  Clan Comyn
              • H1. Christian le Chen, m. Sir Alexander de Seton;  <==  Seton Clan
              • H2. Reginald le Chen, m. Janet Marshall;
                • I1. John le Chen, m. Katherine Fenton;
                  • J1. Henry Cheyne;
                    • K1. Sir John Cheyne, m. Isabel Wawen;
                      <=======
      • L1. Sir Patrick, m. Isabel Bade;
        • M1. Thomas Cheyne, m. Elisabeth Gordon;  ==>  Gordon Family
          • N1. Patrick Cheyne, m. Christian Hepburne;
            • O1. James Cheyne of Pennan, d:1634, m. Elspeth Gordon;  ==>  Gordon Family
              • P1. Elizabeth Cheyne , lvd:1590/1634, m. Patrick Oliphant;  <==  Oliphant Clan