Craighall Castle was built by Sylvester Rattray

Clan Rattray

Rattray tradition has it that King Malcolm Cean Mór confirmed an early Rattray as the Laird of Rattray in the early 11th Century, unfortunately there is no extant written record of this. The earliest Rattray for whom there is a written record is Alanus de Ratheriff who was born in 1165 and died in 1210.

There are various renditions of the name in early written records; Rathtreff in 1160, Rotref inb 1291, Ratref in 1296, Rothtref in 1205, there are also various other renditions of the name including Rattra. The name is composed of two parts the first part is derived from the word rath, from both Gaelic and Cymric (modern welsh or ancient British) meaning fortification; the second part Tref or Treb, Tray, from the Cymric (British) meaning settlement. It is not widely known that British (similar to modern Welsh) was spoken in the area until the tenth century. The name therefore means literally fortified settlement and became associated with the family who held sway over the fortification and the area. The fortification was built on a snake shaped mound, which was in pre-Christian times associated with some form of serpent worship. The Rattray coat of arms are supported by serpents. .... www.clanrattray.org
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  • A1. Alan, 1st of Rattray, lvd:1214;
    • B1. Thomas, 2nd of Rattray, d:1272;
      • C1. Eustace Rattray, 3rd of Rattray, lvd:1296;
        • D1. Sir Adam Rattray of Kinballoch, 4th of Rattray, lvd:1309;
          • E1. Eustace Rattray, 6th of Rattray, lvd:1320;
            • F1. John Rattray, 7th of Rattray;
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        • G1. John Rattray, 8th of Rattray, lvd:1413;
          • H1. Patrick Rattray, 9th of Rattray, d:1461, m. N. Stewart;  ==>  House of Stewart
            • I1. Sir Sylvester Rattray, 10th of Rattray, lvd:1482, m. Margaret Ogilvy;  ==>  Clan Ogilvy
              • J1. Sir John Rattray, lvd:1513 Flodden, m. Elizabeth Kennedy;  ==>  Clan Kennedy

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