MacIntyre

Per Ardua - Through Difficulties

MacIntyre Tartan
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

MacIntyre Tartan

In Gaelic, Mac an t-Saoir meaning 'son of the carpenter', the name was found widely across the Highlands of Scotland but one derivation dates from an incident in the early 12th century when Macarill, nephew of Somerled Lord of the Isles, patched the Norse King Olaf's sinking ship in return for his daughter's hand in marriage. Thereafter he became known as Macrill the Carpenter. Part of the family settled in Badenoch in 1496 and attached themselves to the Clan Chattan confederation. The main branch established itself in Glen Noe (Argyll) in the late 15th century, on land rented from the Campbells, following the tradition which suggested they would settle wherever a white cow from their herd came to rest. The MacIntyres were forced to give up Glen Noe when they failed to pay the rent and the family emigrated to the USA, where the chiefs remain. Another branch were hereditary pipers to the Menzies, while a further branch occupied Sorn Castle in Ayrshire. That branch produced James Gordon McIntyre (1896 - 1983), a High Court Judge. Other notable members of the family are Gaelic poet Duncan Ban McIntyre (1724 - 1812); academic the Very Rev. Prof. John McIntyre (1916 - 2005); the Flying Scotsman, motorcycle racer Bob McIntyre (1928-62) and musician Onnie McIntyre (b. 1945), of the Average White Band.


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