Gordoan coat of arms above entrance to Huntly castle

Clan Gordon

Clan Gordon, one of the most influential clans in the history of Scotland, draws it's name from "Gor Dun" (Celtic for "great hill fort") in their original territory of Berwickshire in the borders of Scotland. The family settled in this area early in the twelfth century on the lands which were granted to them by King David 1 and retained estates there for three centuries. At the beginning of the fourteenth century the Clan supported King Robert the Bruce in the War of Independence against the English and Sir Adam de Gordon was the ambassador who conveyed the famous 1320 Declaration of Independence to the Pope. For this and other services King Robert granted him the forfeited lands of the Cummings at Strathbogie in Aberdeenshire and the Clan moved northwards to their new territory. The Crest is a bucks head out of a coronet and the motto is "Bydand" - (Remaining) From the time of their move to the North the Clan steadily increased their lands and power. By the next century, like the Campbells in the West, they ruled much of the North with a great deal of independence, their Chief being known as "The Cock of the North" In 1447 Alexander, the Clan Chief, was created Earl of Huntly and the Clan's influence spread out further from their main stronghold of Huntly Castle.
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Gordon crest
  • A1. Richard of Gordon;
    • B1. Sir Thomas of Gordon;
      • C1. Sir Thomas of Gordon;
        • D1. Alicia of Gordon, m. Sir Adam of Huntly;
          • E1. Adam Gordon;
            • F1. Sir Adam Gordon, Justiciar of Lothian, lvd:1305;
              • G1. Mary Gordon, m. Walter FitzGilbert;  <==  Clan Hamilton
              • G2. Sir Adam Gordon, d:1355;
                <========
    • H1. John Gordon;
      • I1. Adam Gordon, d:1402, m. Elisabeth Keith;  ==>  Clan Keith
        • J1. Elisabeth Gordon, lvd:1408, m. Sir Alexande de Seton;  ==>  Clan Seton
          • K1. Alexander Gordon, 1st Earl of Huntly, Lord of Gordon, m. Elisabeth Chrichton;
            • L1. George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly, Chanceller of Scotland, m. Annabella Stewart;  ==>  House of Stewart
              • M1. Agnes Gordon, m. James Ogilvy;  <==  Ogilvy Clan
              • M2. Isabel Gordon, m. William Hay;  <==  Hay Clan
              • M3. Elisabeth Gordon, m. Sir William Keith;
                • N1. Elisabeth Keith, b:1504, m. Colin Oliphant;  <==  Oliphant Clan
              • M4. Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly, d:1524, m. Jean Stewart;
                • N1. John Gordon, Master of Huntly, m. Margaret Stewart;  ==>  House of Stewart
                  • O1. George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, lvd:1514/1562, m. Elisabeth Keith;  ==>  Clan Keith
                    • P1. Elisabeth Gordon, b:1504, m. John Stewart, 4th Earl of Athol;  <==  Stewart Clan
              • M5. Sir William Gordon of Schivas, d:1513 at Flodden, m. Janet Olgilvy;  ==>  Ogilvy Clan
                • N1. John Gordon of Ardmacher, m. Marjory Gordon (*);
                  • O1. William Gordon of Gight, m. Isabel Ochterlony;
                    • P1. Elspeth Gordon, b:1504, m. James Cheyne;  <==  Cheyne Clan
      • I2. Sir John Gordon, m. Elisabeth Cruickshanks;
        • J1. John Gordon, lvd:1408, m. Margaret Maitland;
          • K1. James Gordon;
            • L1. Patrick Gordon of Methlic, d:1542;
              • M1. James Gordon of Methlic and Kelly;
                • N1. Patrick Gordon of Methlic and Haddo, m. Marion Ogilvy;  ==>  Ogilvy
                  • O1. George Gordon, m. N. Hay;
                    • P1. Elizabeth Gordon, m. Thomas Cheyne;  <==  Clan Cheyne
          • K2. William Gordon;
            • L1. George Gordon of Tillytermont;
              • M1. James Gordon of Lesmoir, m. Anne Stewart;
                • N1. James Gordon of Lesmoir, m. Margaret Ogilvy;
                  • O1. Marjory Gordon, m. John Gordon (* above);
          • K3. John Gordon, m. Elisabeth Abernethy;  ==>  Abernethy Clan
            • L1. John Gordon, m. Margaret Forbs;
              • M1. John Gordon, d:1546, m. Jane Stewart;  ==>  Stewart Clan
                • N1. John Gordon, d:1547, m. Janet Ogilvy;  ==>  Ogilvy Clan
                  • O1. Sir John Gordon, d:1600, m. Isabel Forbes;  ==>  Clan Forbes
                    • P1. Robert Gordon of Straloch, lvd:1580/1661, m. Katherine Irvine;  ==>  Irvine Clan
                      • Q1. Sir Arthur Gordon, lvd:1625/1680, m. Isabel Menzies;

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