Clan Gordon

Clan Motto

Bydand
Standfast

Chief

The Most Hon. MARQUIS OF HUNTLY
Aboyne Castle
Aberdeenshire
AB34 5JP

Associated Names

Adam, Adams, Adamson, Addie, Addison, Adie, Aitchison, Aiken, Aitken, Atkin, Atkins, Atkinson, Barrie, Connon, Craig, Cromb, Crombie, Cullen, Darg, Dargie, Dorward, Duff, Durward, Eadie, Eddie, Edie, Edison, Esslemont, Gardiner, Gardner, Garioch, Garrick, Garriock, Geddes, Gerrie, Huntly, Jessiman, Jopp, Jupp, Laing, Lang, Laurie, Lawrie, Leng, Marr, Maver, Mavor, Meldrum, Mill, Mills, Miln, Milne, Milnes, Moir, More, Morrice, Morris, Muir, Mylne, Tod, Todd, Troup

The History of the clan

The surname Gordon is of territorial origin, and though having many suggested meanings the family is almost certainly of Anglo-Norman descent. The first certain Gordon is Richard de Gordon who was Baron of Gordon in Berwickshire in 1150. In 1160 he granted land to the monks of St Mary at Kelso appearing in many charters of the time. Sir Adam, Lord of Gordon, warden of the marches in 1300, was appointed commissioner to negotiate with Edward I in 1305.

Robert the Bruce sent him to Rome petitioning the pope to remove Bruce’s excommunication. For this and for his services at Slioch’ Battle, Sir Adam received the Lordship of Strathbogie in Aberdeenshire. George, 4th Earl of Huntly, became Chancellor of Scotland in 1547 and was one of Regent Mary of Guise’s close confidants. He fell at Corrichie in 1562 fighting against the royal army. His son was later beheaded before Queen Mary at Aberdeen. A Marquesate was conferred on the 6th Earl of Huntly in 1599 but captured in Strathdon in 1647 and held in Edinburgh until his execution. The estates and titles were restored to Lord Louis Gordon, 4th Marquess, who was created a Duke by King Charles II in 1684.

The 3rd Duke remained loyal to the Hanoverians when Prince Charles Edward Stuart reasserted his father’s claim in 1745, but his brother, Lord Louis Gordon, raised two battalions. After Culloden he escaped to France. John, 7th Earl and 1st Marquess of Aberdeen, K.T., was governor-general of Canada and made Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. His son and heir is George, 2nd Marquess, whose seat is Haddo House in Aberdeenshire. From this clan has stemmed the "Gordon Highlanders."

In 1633 Sir John Gordon was created Viscount Kenmure and Lord Lochinvar. Being Stuart adherents, they suffered greatly for this. The Huntly estates at Gordon Castle passed, in 1976, to the Duke of Richmond, who was created Duke of Gordon. However, Queen Victoria stated that this should not affect the chiefship which had dissolved when the 11th Marquis died in 1937 aged nineteen.