Clan Kennedy

This name comes from the old Irish Gaelic, ‘cinneidigh’, literary meaning ‘ugly headed’. The family came from Ireland to Celtic Dalriada, now Strathclyde, but are mainly associated with the district of Carrick in Ayrshire. They claimed descent from the Earls of Carrick and kinship to the Bruce family, whom they supported against the Comyns and throughout the War of Independence.

John Kennedy of Dunure acquired lands at Cassillis about 1360, and witnessed a charter by Robert II in 1384. His son, Sir Gilbert, was one of the hostages for the release of David II by the English in 1357. Gilbert’s son, James, married Princess Mary, second daughter of Robert III. Their son, another Gilbert, was created Lord Kennedy in about 1457 and was one of the six regents during the minority of James III. A brother of the first Lord Kennedy, James Kennedy, was one of Scotland’s best-loved bishops. He served briefly as High Chancellor of Scotland and was Bishop of Dunkeld, and later Archbishop of St Andrews. At St Andrews he founded St Salvator’s College in 1455. .... more

Dunure Castle, the ancient stronghold of the Kennedy family

Kennedy arms on the wall at Culzean Castle

• A1 ~ John Kennedy of Dunure, lvd:1385, m. Christian de Montgomery;  ==>  Clan Montgomery
  • B1 ~ Margaret Kennedy, m. John de Forbes;  <==  Clan Forbes
  • B2 ~ Sir Gilbert Kennedy of Dunure, lvd:1408, m. Agnes Maxwell;  ==>  Clan Maxwell
    • C1 ~ James Kennedy, m. Mary Stewart;  ==>  House of Stewart
      • D1 ~ James Kennedy, Archbishop of St Andrews, lvd:1455;
      • D2 ~ Sir Gilbert Kennedy, 1st Lord, m1. Katherine Maxwell,  ==>  Clan Maxwell
                               m2. Isabelaa Ogilvy;  ==>  Clan Ogilvy
        
        • E1 ~ [m1]: N. Kennedy, m. George Campbell;  ==>  Clan Campbell
        • E2 ~ [m1]: Sir John Kennedy, 2nd Lord, d:1508, m. Elizabeth Montgomerie;  ==>  Clan Montgomerie
          • F1 .. Katharine Kennedy, m. John Wallace;  <==  Clan Wallace
          • F2 ~ Elizabeth Kennedy, lvd:1478, m. Sir John Rattray;  <==  Clan Rattray
          • F3. Sir David Kennedy, 3rd Lord, Earl of Cassillis, d:1513 Flodden;
        • E3 ~ [m2]: Elizabeth Kennedy, b:1434, m. Sir James Ogilvy;  <==  Clan Ogilvy