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ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL CROMARTY GENEALOGY
Ancient and Medieval Cromarty Historical Background
The information below includes a brief review of Cromarty family history. Much research is still being done.
The House of Cromarty family lineage begins in the dawn of the history of the British Isles with the Urquharts of Cromarty, the ancient House of Cromarty. The Urquhart of Cromarty genealogy was so eloquently written by Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty to Adam & Eve. In 1639 he was knighted by Charles I for his support in the Royalist uprising known as the Trot of Turriff. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1650 by the Puritans after his capture at the Battle of Gloucester fighting at the side of King Charles II and for his refusal to renounce the Monarchy. He was imprisoned with much freedom in the Tower of London and then in Windsor. He was paroled by Cromwell in 1652 and returned to Cromarty. The following year he published Pantochronachanon, a work of genealogy, the Urquhart of Cromarty lineage, written in support of Monarchy and Divine Right of Kings. The lineage was split into two sections the ancient lineage which is remarkably accurate into the dark recesses of British history, and the modern lineage beginning with the marriage, of Sir Adam (Ardito) Urquhart b.1071 to Princess Marjorie, daughter of Griffin, Prince of Wales. The lineage of Sir Thomas is the officially accepted lineage by the Lord Lyon of Scotland.
In 1705 the Earldom of Cromarty (Cromartie) passed from Urquhart to MacKenzie of Seaforth (Cromarty). The marriage between the Urquhart’s and MacKenzie’s is described in the addendum to Sir Thomas’s geneology.
"The true bearer of the Urquhart arms was the Cromarty Urquharts, but the Urquharts became very greedy and took opportunities to take control of the land of their neighbours. In the end the Urquharts lost it all, castle, lands, everything was lost to them, then they lost their clan ...... That was curse or prophesy fulfilled. Apparently a preacher or a monk spoke out the destruction of the Urquhart clan because of it's greed" (A Scottish Highland Warrior Clan, Donald Urquhart, http://www.urquhartclan.cdadc.com/index.html).
"The Urquhart clan was loyal to and tenaciously determined to, have the Scottish royalty returned to power. In the end these acts of bravery and absolute loyalty, all but destroyed the Urquhart clan financially. I recall reading that, at one point, the Urquhart clan was divided over pursuing their true monarch's ambition of being returned, because of the great financial drain it would place on the Urquhart cophers, particularly if the campaign was lost. So clan Urquhart became divided, with one group of Urquharts marching off to support the Scottish monarchy and the other half remaining in favor of the English - at least appearance wise" (A Scottish Highland Warrior Clan, Donald Urquhart, http://www.urquhartclan.cdadc.com/index.html).
From the Genealogy of Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty:
Sir Adam married Marjorie, b. 1071. “This Sir Adam, agnamed Ardito, was the first of the name of Adam that was chief of the family of Urquhart. He was knighted by king Edgar, at his coronation at Scone, anno 1101. On his wife Marjorie, who was the daughter of Griffin prince of Wales”, he begot
Edward married Jane, b. 1102. This Edward, agnamed Philotimos, begot on Jane (the sister of Sir Alexander Caron, who was the first that ever was called Scrimjour) a son, (Richard Urquhart of Cromarty)
Note: The son of Edward Urquhart and Jane Caron was Richard Urquhart of Cromarty b. 1123, who married Anne. This Richard Urquhart was the first Urquhart to be listed as "of Cromarty" by Sir Thomas. Sir Alexander Caron (Scrimjour) and his sister Jane, are recorded as being from Cromarty.
In his genealogy Sir Thomas places the marriage of Nicarchos to Tortolina, the daughter of King Arthur of Britain, in the correct time period of about 540 A.D. Mythology had falsely placed King Arthur in later medieval Britain, however, in his genealogy Sir Thomas is using the accurate time placement.
From Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty’s genealogy: NICARCHOS married TORTOLINA, 540 A.D. On this Tortolina, who was the daughter of Arthur of Britain, he begot
After the Roman Empire collapsed the Briton Celtic kingdoms resisted the Angles invasions in Scotland. The Celtic kingdoms defending northern Britain were known to the Welsh as the “Old North” and spoke Welsh not Scottish Gaelic. They included the Welsh Rheged and Gododdin, who under King Urien of the Rheged repelled the Angles.
The Welsh poet Aneirin wrote of a warrior named Arthur who was braver and stronger than all the others. A Ninth century Welsh historian Nennius wrote in Historia Brittonum of the victory of Mons Badonicus (AD 516) mentioning Arthur. Nennius also recorded Vortigern and Merlin (Ambrosius) in his writings. In the Tenth century Geoffrey of Monmouth, in Annale Cambriae, wrote that Arthur fought 2 battles, the first with the Saxons at the battle of Mons Badonicus in AD 516, and the second in AD 537 “The year of the battle of Camlann, in which Arthur and Medraut fell…”
Mons Badonicus and Camlann were fought in England. Arthur as "Dux Bellorum" was in charge of northern defences, and fought several battles in the north, "his power base would probably have been in the Celtic areas of Wales, Cornwall and the West Country, or the Brythonic 'Old North' which covered modern Northern England and Southern Scotland" (Wikipedia). Sir Thomas notes "Arthur of Britain" carefully, as there was another Arthur of the Pennines in that time. The later marriage to Princess Marjorie of Wales implies strong Welsh contact.
To read the Ancient Genealogy of the Urquhart’s and House of Cromarty by Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty, also known as “The Father of Genealogy”
Crom-bath and Crum-bagh are the name Cromarty or “Crooked Bend” in the ancient language of Scotland. An entry for Cromarty in the work of A D Mills reads as follows: Highland. Crumbathyn 1264. Crooked (place) OGaelic crumb + doubtful element (A D Mills, Dictionary of British place-names. OUP, 2003). Cromarty is the name spelled in English.
The name Cromarty appears as Crumbathyn on maps of Scotland as early as 1257. There were many changes between 1257 and 1479. One theory of its origin is from the word Crum-bagh meaning “bent bend” and Crom-bath meaning “little place on the bend”, and this is what Cromarty looks like on a map. Yet there does not appear to have been any people with the surname Cromarty living in the region of Cromarty.
Another interpretation for Cromarty would be Crom + Airde, the “curved height”, curved for the bay, and Airde, the promontory overlooking the bay where the town of Cromarty is located today.
CROMARTY (in the old county of Ross & Cromarty) NAME ON MAP: Crombathie DATE: 1296 EARLIEST RECORD: Crumbathyn DATE: 1257 MEANING: GOIDELIC crom `crooked' ard `promontory'.
URQUHART NAME ON MAP: URQUHART (in the old county of) Ross and Cromarty DATE: 1358 MEANING: a territorial name (see place-name). The clan's early history is obscure, but at the beginning of the 14th century William de Urchard was Sheriff of Cromarty. Adam Urquhart had a grant of the sheriffdom of Crombathie in 1358.
URQUHART (in the old county of Inverness) NAME ON MAP: Urquhart MEANING: BRYTHONIC ar `near' cardden `the thicket'. A castle was here by 1314.
URQUHART (in the old county of Moray) NAME ON MAP: Hurcard DATE: c.1200 MEANING: see the previous entry.
From W J Watson, Place Names of Ross and Cromarty. 1904 (British Library selfmark 12978/g/23)
Cromarty- Crumbathyn 1263, Crumbauchtyn 1264, Crumbhartyn 1296, Crombathie 1349, Cromady and Crombathie 1349-1370, Cromardy 1398, Cromaty and Crumbaty 1479, G. Cromba’. From an inspection of the old forms two things are clear-first, that the modern English form, Cromarty, is the descendant and representative of the ancient Crumbauchtyn (with accent on first syllable); and, secondly, that the second ‘r’ of Cromarty is not radical, but was developed at an early stage through sympathy with the ‘r’ of the first syllable; cf. Eng. Bride-groom, from A.S. (Anglo-Saxon) brid-guma, literally ‘bride-man.’ Further, these forms, as well as other considerations, negative the derivation Crom-bagh, bent bay. The base is doubtless, crom, bent; the question is whether we are to regard the b of Cromba’ as radical or as developed. Developed b after m is seen in lombar, from lom; Ir. crompan, a sea inlet, from crom; and in the common Crombie applied to bent streams and to places at a bend, e.g., Crombie in Fife; also Dal-crombie, G. Dul-chrombaidh, a place on a bend of L. Ruthven, Inverness. On this theory we have (1) crom as base, (2) developed b, (3) terminations –ach, place of, and –dan or –tan, diminutive, all meaning Little place of the bend; cf. Loch Saileach in Ireland, called by the Four Masters Loch Sailcheadain, also Ardochdainn, Lochcarron. On the other theory it would be possible to suggest crom-bath, with extension, bath being an O. Ir. (Old Irish) Word glossed saile and muir, sea.
1. Hugh Miller (Scenes and Legends,” p. 49) mentions an ancient custom seal or cocket, supposed to belong to the reign of Robert II., and then in the Inverness Museum, bearing the legend ‘Crombhte.”
2. Joyce, Irish Names of Places II., 36.
“In the Orkney Islands and the mainland of Scotland the Orkney-Cromarty chambered cairns, or tombs, are the most common surviving constructions from Orkney’s Neolithic past. “The earliest Orcadian cairns were built by the first Neolithic settlers - people who crossed the Pentland Firth from the Scottish mainland around the beginning of the fourth millennium BC” (Orkneyjar).
To Learn of the Orkney-Cromarty Cairns from Orkneyjar
In Celtic Druidism the Celtic God Crom Cruaic is also known as Crom Dubh. Crom Dubh means “black and crooked” (the Black Isle of Cromarty) in both Scottish and Irish Gaelic. Crom Dubh appears in the Scottish saying: “Di-Dòmhnaich crum-dubh, plaoisgidh mi an t-ùbh, "Crooked black Sunday, I’ll shell the egg." The exact origin of this saying is unknown, but there is some evidence that Crom Dubh was a fertility related god. In later times, he would be considered to be an evil god, and the element "dubh" (black) had sinister sounding connotations”.
Connecting the Celtic Breton and Gaelic languages, “There may be an etymological connection with cromlech, a term of Breton origin. Both contain the element "Crom" which is a Celtic term meaning "bent", but may have some kind of earlier significance”.
The Anglo-Saxon term brid-guma, English bride-groom, described by W J Watson would refer to the Celtic Goddess Brigit, from which the word bride is derived. Brigit came to Britain from the continent with the Brigantes, thus the early reference to the Anglo-Saxons. Brigit was the Goddess of the Brigantes, the largest Celtic tribe in Britain, and is the origin of the Goddess Brigantia from which the name Britain originates. Brigit was the “Great Mother of the Celts”, and was both a fertility and solar Goddess. Brigit was a Triple Goddess, the Maiden of the Spring, the Goddess of Poetry, Fire and Water, Healing, and Smithcraft. She was also the Druid Goddess of Augury (prophets and seers) and of Protection. The festival of Imbolc, one of 4 major Celtic Festivals, is celebrated on 1 February. Imbolc was a women’s ceremony, Brighid’s Feast celebrated the coming Spring, it was the festival of a herding culture of lambs and milk. Brigit is also the origin of Bride’s Day, later called St Bride’s Day in Scotland. Brigit was so powerful a Goddess that the Celtic Christians and later the Roman Catholics named her Saint Brigit. (derived from the writings of Susa Morgan Black, Druid, FSA Scot, OBOD)
“Each Pictish king was given a Bruide name (a throne name), in his manifestation as the consort of Brigantia. The Picts are thought to be an early Brythonic tribe of Celts who settled in Scotland”. (Susa Morgan Black, Druid, FSA Scot, OBOD)
To Learn of the Goddess Brigit
To Learn of the Celtic God Crom Cruaich (Crom Dubh)
An excellent source of Cromarty regional history showing the early historical origins of the region and people of Cromarty was written by Cromarty Museum Historian David Alston, “Ross and Cromarty, A Historical Guide.” from which much of our research is derived.
Following the Norse Viking Empire’s in the north of Scotland, MacBeth, of the House of Moray, with the alliance of his cousin Thorfinn Earl of Orkney, defeated Duncan to become King. MacBeth united the Scots Kingdoms with his marriage to the powerful Gruoch, as both MacBeth and Gruoch were descended from Scots Kings. The earliest writings mentioning MacBeth, King of Scotland from 1040 to 1054, are from a poem by Andrew of Wyntoun (1355-1422) in which he describes MacBeth as the Thane of Cromarty. A thane is an official who exercises authority on behalf of a king. MacBeth as King, however, ruled from the south, opening the north again to Norse settlement into Ross and Cromarty. MacBeth’s defeat and murder by Malcolm Canmore, Malcom III, consolidated southern control of the northern areas, and led to 200 years of struggles between the descendants of Malcolm, and the remnants of the northern Royal dynasties, MacHeth (the origins of Clan MacKay) and MacWilliams. In 1230 William MacTaggart was made Earl of Ross. His support for the Scottish crown furthered the interests of the southern and Anglo-Norman families in the Highlands.
The House of Dunkeld or Canmore 1058-1290 began with Malcolm Canmore, Malcolm III regent from 1058-1093 and ended as a line of Scottish Kings and Queens with Princess Margaret, the Maid of Norway regent from 1286-1290. Malcolm III succeeded his cousin MacBeth, the Thane of Cromarty, as King of Scotland after defeating him in battle at Lumphanan in 1057 with the assistance of Siward, the Earl of Northumbria and killing MacBeth either then or shortly thereafter. This is the beginning of the House of Dunkeld.
From the Genealogy of Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty:
Frederick married Lauretta, 1013. “He had to his first wife, Castisa the daughter of Banco, Thane of Lochabber; but she had no sons to him. To his second wife, he took Lauretta, the daughter of Patrick Dunbar, Thane and earl of March, and on her begot”
Sir Jasper married Genivieve, 1042. “This Jasper, agnamed Soldurio, was the seventh son begot betwixt Frederick and Lauretta, without the intermixture of a female, and was said to have had the dexterity, by a single touch of his hand, to cure the disease lately called the king’s evil. He was, for his valour, dubbed knight, by Malcolm Kianmore, at Forfar, in the year of our Lord 1058: in whose reign, began surnames, even of those Scots that were originally Albionites, by an express command from the king, to be more heedfully regarded than formerly they had been;…. He on his wife Genivieve begot”
Sir Adam married Marjorie, 1071. “This Sir Adam, agnamed Ardito, was the first of the name of Adam that was chief of the family of Urquhart. He was knighted by king Edgar, at his coronation at Scone, anno 1101. On his wife Marjorie, who was the daughter of Griffin prince of Wales”
The Sherrifdom of Cromarty previous to the Urquhart’s, as early as the 1260’s, was the de Monte Altos (Mowat) of Cromarty. de Monte Alto (Mowat) was an ancient branch of the Urquhart clan. When the Urquhart’s gained the Sheriffdom of Cromarty, in the early 1300’s, it was inherited, probably through marriage, with the de Monte Altos. The de Monte Alto of Cromarty Crest was very similar to the Urquhart of Cromarty Arms, and could easily be considered to be the same Crest & Arms. This ancient lineage became part of the Urquhart’s of Cromarty, who claimed the Sherrifdom of Cromarty in the early 1300’s.
There was a settlement from Cromartyshire that settled in Latheron, Caithness about the time period we are researching. This settlement included members of the Urquhart and Mowat families. Land records support that our Cromarty’s of South Ronaldsey, Orkney had connection to the Latheron, Caithness estates of William de Crumbacy granted by Edward I and Edward II.
The following details are from the Scottish National Archives. Matthew de Crambath, Bishop of Dunkeld and Heruy de Crambath, Dean de Dunkeldin are not mentioned in the genealogy of Sir Thomas Urquhart. The following is mentioned by Sir Thomas:
William de Urchard was the first known sheriff. Adam Urquhart had a grant of the sheriffdom of Crombathie in 1358 from David II (RMS., I, App. II, 1254). Alexander of Hurcharde petitioned in 1381 for a canonry of Dunkeld notwithstanding that he held canonries and prebends in Moray and Ross. (Pap., Pet., I, p. 561).
This evidence matches perfectly with the genealogy of Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty:
William Urquhart of Cromarty, called Gulielmus de Monte Alto = 1. Lilias, dau. of Hugh, Earl of Ross; 2. Violet, dau. of John Cumming, Earl of Buchan.
Adam Urquhart, Hereditary Sheriff of Cromarty = Brigida, dau. of Fleming of Cumbernauld, charter 1365.
It is likely that Matthew and Heruy de Crambath were relatives of the hereditary Earls and Sheriffs of Cromarty mentioned in the genealogy of Sir Thomas Urquhart, and were appointed to their positions through family influence within the ancient House of Dunkeldin. Matthew and Heruy de Crambath (Cromarty) were most likely Urquharts of Crombath. Alexander of Hurcharde who applied for a canonry of Dunkeld in 1381 was most likely related in a similar manner.
Matthew and Heruy de Crambath are mentioned as being the origins of the name Crombie in the writings of George F. Black (The Surnames of Scotland). However, the name Crombie is a linguistic derivation of Crombath, which is also the origins of the name Cromarty. It is possible that the Scottish language interpretation gives similar meaning of "crooked bend" to 2 distinct families, but I believe there is the possibility of family connection between Matthew and Heruy de Crambath and the Urquharts of Crombath. Sir Thomas Urquhart writes "Alexander of Hurcharde petitioned in 1381 for a canonry of Dunkeld notwithstanding that he held canonries and prebends in Moray and Ross. (Pap., Pet., I, p. 561)" (mention of the Urquharts of Cromarty and the canonry of Dunkeld). Titles of this kind where not haphazard events in the 1300's, they came through family connection. I also note the small population of Scotland in the 1300's, the division of the Urquharts of Cromarty into factions over the legitimacy of the Scottish monarch arbitrated by Edward I, and the following statement, "“Matthew was chosen, and collated by English interest". At the same time William de Crumbacy is appointed Coroner or "Crowned Lord"of the Highlands by Edward I and Edward II of England. The knighting of Sir Jasper, dubbed knight, by Malcolm Kianmore, at Forfar, in the year of our Lord 1058 seems to connect the House of Cromarty to the House of Dunkeldin, from beginning to end.
From the Scottish National Archives: “The Book of Dignities by Joseph Haydn and Horace Ockerby (published 1894 by W H Allen & Co Limited, 13 Waterloo Place, London SW) lists Bishops of the Diocese of Dunkeld from 1169 to 1686.
In 1288 Matthew de Crambeth is mentioned as being Bishop. The entries before and after him list Robert de Stuteville, dean of Dunkeld, 1272, and William Sinclair 1309. Transactions of the Literary and Antiquarian Society of Perth (printed by R Morison for the Society in 1827) has a chapter called The Lives of the Bishops of Dunkeld by Alexander Myln, Canon of Dunkeld, which also lists bishops of Dunkeld. On page 38, the following information is given:
“There was chosen to succeed him [Master Richard of Innerkeithing] ROBERT SCUTIWILLIS, a man of high birth . . . [this was in 1272] . . . this man filled the see twenty-eight years with great character, and died in the year 1300 . . . .
“MATTHEW was chosen, and collated by English interest, when Robert Harcas was governor of Perth: it was this Harcas whom St Michael killed in the Dardrois furd, for oppressing the canons; MATTHEW sat twelve years and died in the year 1312 . . . .
“After him was chosen WILLIAM SINCLAIR, uncle to William, Lord Bisset and Glascone.”
As you will notice, the dates differ slightly, but I think it is probably safe to assume that the Matthew de Crambeth in the first publication is the same Matthew from the second. In addition, although no mention is made in either of these references to “Crambath, Dominus Heruius de (decanus Dunkeldenfis), (Heruy de Crambath dean de Dunkeldin)”, it is possible that Bishop Matthew de Crambeth appointed some of his relatives to the positions of deacon or dean.”
From the Ragman’s Rolls of 1296 is mention of the following:
Crambath, Dominus Heruius de (decanus Dunkeldenfis), (Heruy de Crambath dean de Dunkeldin).
The name Urquhart is also mentioned on the Ragman’s Roll:
Ughterardogh, Morice de (del counte de Ughterardoure).
The name Crambath or Crombath, the early Scottish language name for Cromarty, appears to be an early line of the Urquharts of Crombath. I believe it possible the name Crombath took various forms by language, region, and political allegiance during the interregnum, which began with the death in South Ronaldsey, Orkney, of Princess Margaret, Maid of Norway and Queen of Scotland, who was betrothed to Edward II of England in the Treaty of Birgham. Several versions of the name Crombath appear about this time: Crambath, Crambathie, Crumbacy, Crumbacyn, Cromarty, Crumbathyn, Crombie, etc.
A story passed through the generations - told by the Cromarty of Holy Island and Northumberland family, matches known research. According to this story, the Cromarty family left Scotland for Orkney and England during the wars between Edward I and Robert the Bruce. The Treaty of Birgham married Princess Margaret the Maid of Norway, daughter of Eric II King of Norway and also the granddaughter of Alexander III King of Scotland, to Edward II, son of Edward I of England and Wales. This marriage agreement made Princess Margaret and Edward II heirs to the Scottish and English thrones. After the death of Princess Margaret the Cromarty family supported John Balliol, who held the legal right to be King, and who in arbitration Edward I accepted as the legal heir to be King of Scotland. Edward I and Edward II added titles and lands to the Cromarty Estates during this time known as the interregnum.
It is logical that the Sheriffs, Bishops, and Earls of Cromarty so closely connected to the reigning Houses of Dunkeld and Sverre would accept the legality of King John Balliol. At this time Robert the Bruce was considered to have only a distant claim to the throne, and William Wallace to be only a rebel.
These Cromarty’s are said to have left Scotland when Robert the Bruce came to power. They are said to have left because of persecution by the Scottish crown. They went to South Ronaldsey, Orkney and to Caithness, which at that time came under the protection of the King of Norway, the father of Princess Margaret.
Princess Margaret, the Maid of Norway, of the House of Sverre was the Queen of Scotland from 1288-1290 and of the last heir to the House of Dunkeldin. Princess Margaret died in South Ronaldsey, Orkney in 1290 and the Houses of both Sverre and Dunkeldin came to an end in Scotland. Her corpse was taken to Bergen and buried beside her mother in the stone wall, on the north side of the choir, in Christ's Kirk at Bergen. St Margaret’s Hope in South Ronaldsey, Orkney is named after her.
Following the death of Princess Margaret, Edward I was accepted by Scots leaders as the arbitrator in the disputed succession for Kingship. Edward I chose John Balliol who held the legal right to be King of Scotland. This caused a dispute with Robert the Bruce who also claimed kingship. John Balliol abdicated in 1296. Balliol’s abdication led to the English invasion of Scotland and seizure of strategic strongholds. 6 Royal castles were taken around the Moray firth-Elgin, Forres, Nairn, Inverness, Dingwall, and Cromarty.
In 1314 the Eastern half of South Ronaldsey in Orkney is invaded while William de Crumbacy is Crowner of the Highlands. Historically both England and Scotland wanted to establish Naval bases in Orkney during this time of war in Scotland and did invade Orkney. This occurs about the same time in which Edward I grants William de Crumbacy the title of Crowner of the Highlands and gives William de Crumbacy the former lands of Strathbogie in Latheron, Caithness and other lands in the Highlands. Orkney legend has it that Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland, spent the winter of 1306-1307 in Orkney, not in the Island of Rathlin.
Perhaps the quote made earlier in this essay, repeated below, helps explain the above history relating to Balliol (the legal king), the land grants and titles granted by Edward I & II, Robert the Bruce, and the historical quote below written by Sir Thomas on William de Crumbacy.
"The Urquhart clan was loyal to and tenaciously determined to, have the Scottish royalty returned to power. In the end these acts of bravery and absolute loyalty, all but destroyed the Urquhart clan financially. I recall reading that, at one point, the Urquhart clan was divided over pursuing their true monarch's ambition of being returned, because of the great financial drain it would place on the Urquhart cophers, particularly if the campaign was lost. So clan Urquhart became divided, with one group of Urquharts marching off to support the Scottish monarchy and the other half remaining in favor of the English - at least appearance wise" (A Scottish Highland Warrior Clan, Donald Urquhart, http://www.urquhartclan.cdadc.com/index.html).
There is written in the genealogy of Sir Thomas Urquhart a segment that both agrees and shows contradiction, both within itself and with known historical research. The reason for this may be the changing politics and contradictions of monarchy, nobility, power, and family relations in the time of the interregnum. The poetic justice of the author and the politics and culture of his own time may also offer some explanation.
From Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty’s genealogy:
William Urquhart of Cromarty, called Gulielmus de Monte Alto = 1. Lilias, dau. of Hugh, Earl of Ross; 2. Violet, dau. of John Cumming, Earl of Buchan. WILLIAM married LILLIAS 1314. His first wife was Lillias, the daughter of Hugh earl of Ross: to his second wife, he took Violet Cumming, the daughter of John Cumming earl of Buchan and lord of Strathboghie; at which marriage Hugh earl of Ross, was so incensed, that he begged of king Robert the Bruce, the gift of his forfeiture, because the Cummings had been disloyal to him: whatever the king’s facility was, this William Urquhart carried himself so lovingly towards king Robert, that when almost all Scotland was possest by king Edward’s faction, and his lands at Cromarty altogether over-run by them, and his house garrisoned and victualed with three years provision of all necessaries for 100 men, he, by a stratagem, gained the castle, and with the matter of forty men, kept it out against the forces of Edward, for the space of seven years and a half; during which time, all his lands there were totally wasted, and his woods burnt; so that having nothing then he could properly call his own, but the Motehill only of Cromarty, which he fiercely maintained against his enemies; he was agnamed Gulielmus de monte alto. At last William Wallace came to his relief (but, as I conceive, it was the brother’s son of the renowned Wallace) who, in a little den, within two miles of Cromarty (till this hour called Wallace den) killed six hundred of king Edward’s unfortunate forces. Afterwards raising the siege from about the Mote-hill of Cromarty, by the assistance of his namesake, the other William, the shire of Cromarty was totally purged of the enemy: and shortly after, by King David, son of the said king Robert, confirmed upon Adam, son to the aforesaid William, with all priviledges, royalties, and immunities that to the said William formerly did belong, which the earl of Ross consented unto; upon whose daughter, Lillias by name, the said William begot
Cromarty-Douglas History
Douglas-Cromarty History: Some of the early gravestones on South Ronaldsey have Coats of Arms on them that contain both Urquhart and Douglas elements. There is a theory that both the Urquhart and Douglas families settled on South Ronaldsey and took the name Cromarty. The Urquhart’s because Cromarty was the family and estate they were from, and the Douglas’s because they were being persecuted by James II of Scotland. Upon studying James II one can see the relations he had with the Earls of Douglas in maintaining his crown.
Another theory relating the Douglas-Cromarty connection claims the Orkney Cromarties were descended from two brothers who were originally from the mainland of Scotland and resided chiefly in the South Ronaldsay and Walls. That one of these two William Cromarty’s who arrived in South Ronaldsay was in truth a Douglas. It is said the two William Cromarty’s arrived in 1314, taking refuge after the Battle of Bannockburn (Orkney was still under Norwegian rule at that time).
A chart showing the Cromarty-Douglas connection was said to have existed until the 1800’s when it was lost by a Cromarty physician from Orkney who carried it to India.
DOUGLAS (in the old county of Lanark) NAME ON MAP: Douglas DATE: 1298 EARLIEST RECORD: Duuelglas DATE: c.1150 MEANING: BRYTHONIC du glas or GOIDELIC dubh glais `black stream'. See under Clan Names.
Recent Descent of those having the Surname Cromarty and the Origins of Cromarty of Orkney
William de Crumbacy (or Grumbaig)- In 1291 William is granted safe conduct to bring horses and equipment to his Lord, John Earl of Caithness. Following is a description:
In July 1290 the Treaty of Birgham between Scotland, Norway, and England agreed the marriage between Margaret, Maid of Norway and Queen of Scotland from 1288-1290 and last heir to the throne of Scotland of the House of Dunkeld, and Edward II, the son of Edward I Longshanks, and heir to the crown of England. In September of 1290 Margaret set sail in a Norwegian ship from Bergen for Leith. Storms drove the ship off course to Orkney and it eventually landed at St Margaret's Hope in South Ronaldsey. Here in 1290 Margaret, the Maid of Norway died of sea sickness in St Margaret's Hope, South Ronaldsey, aged only 8.
Records of Latheron in Caithness include the itinerary and expenses of the messengers sent by Edward I to meet Margaret, the 'Maid of Norway'. King Edward the I's messenger's spent the night of 2nd October 1290 at Helmsdale and that of the 3rd at a 'Hospital' before riding to Wick on the 4rth. Investigating the stones at Latheron it was found that stones used to build the barn called West Byres at Latheron Mains came from the 'Chapel Stones' site to the east of Latheron Mains farmhouse. An unpublished paper by a local clergyman (W.G. Mowat, The Church of Latheron Parish) gives a sketch of the site and states it is 'thought to be the remains of an abbey'. A hospital/hospice at Latheron would have fit in perfectly with the itinerary of the party travelling from England, as the journey times from Helmsdale to Latheron, and Latheron to Wick would have been approximately the same.
William de Crumbacyn (William de Cromarty) “Giulielmus de Monte Alto” - In 1305 the Chamberlain appoints William de Crumbacy as coroner “crowner” under Edward I and again in 1309, 1311, and 1312. Title and Grant in 1314 as Crowner of all the Highlands by Edward I. Appointed again by Edward II. Coroner meant Crowned Lord. The entire Highlands north of modern Ross and Cromarty is known as Crumbacy, shown on history of MacKenzie map. The Black Isle region of Cromartyshire is shown as Urquhartshire, with the designation of Cromarty Castle as the House of Cromarty. Sir William Urquhart of Cromarty is described in the genealogy of Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty.
From Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty’s genealogy: Sir William Urquhart of Cromarty 1314, "His first wife was Lillias, the daughter of Hugh, Earl of Ross: to his second wife the daughter of John Cumming earl of Buchan and lord of Straboghie;"
Land in Caithness: William de Crumbacyn; Land granted in Dale, Nos, Latherne (Latheron), Landehelugh (Landhallow), and Bowere (Bower is 1-2 km north of Brabsterdorran) (cf 1495 & 1500 references). Had been excheated by Edward I Longshanks in 1306 from Lawrence Strathbogie for his joining Robert the Bruce’s Rebellion.
Crumbachyn 1309 & Cromaty 1500: Grant of fee from lands in 1549. By the Queen to Lawr. Oliphant. Includes Brabsterdorane (Cromarty 1500) and Latheron (Crumbachyn 1309). Lands by Queen due to ward, nonentry, forfeiture, etc. (not specified with respect to lands)
(Courtesy of Lars Maersk Hansen, of Upsala, Sweden, the last of the Swedish Cromarty's)
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1291
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13/05
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William de Crumbacy (or Grumbaig)
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safe conduct
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Wm was to bring back horses and equipment to his lord, John Earl of Caithness. Same as in 1309?
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Norham
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19EdwPatentRoll m14. Printed in Bain, Stevenson
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1305
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15/09
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.. The Chamberlain shall appoint coroners. (cf next)
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Bain No 1691/4
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1309
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10/05
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William de Crumbachyn (cromarty)
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Title
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William of Cromarty reaffirmed Coroner in Caithness by Edw II, orig by Edw 1, in or after 1305 (cf previously)
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Rotuli Scotiae, p 65
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1309
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10/05
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William de Crumbachyn (cromarty)
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Grant
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Land in Caithness: Dale, Nos, Latherne (Latheron), Landehelugh (Landhallow) and Bowere (Bower is 1-2 km north of Brabsterdorran (cf 1495 & 1500 references). Had been excheated by Edw I in 1306 from Lawrence Strathbogie for joining Bruce's rebellion
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Rotuli Scotiae, p 65
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Hutcheon Cromarty of Brabsterdorran - Death 1495. A record from 1500 found in the Orig. Paroch., Caithness reads as follows; disposition by King James IV to John Cromarty, son and heir of deceased Hutcheon C. of Brabsterdorran, of the dues of Brabsterdorran, which had been in the King's hands for five years, since the decease of H.C., by reason of non-entry of heir.
John Cromarty- Abt 1450 (approximate date). He is the first to settle permanently on South Ronaldsey at Garay and was from the Highland family of the Urquharts of Cromartyshire and Caithness. He was of the landed gentry and is described as being in a position that “he does not need to work”. On 24 August 1479 John purchased 1 mk land in Garay in South Ronaldsey, Orkney from John Vrrii and named his farm “Garay” which was later changed to Cara. John Cromarty styled to “of Cara”. Purchase of these lands included the purchase of the various Cromarty of Cara titles that came with the Garay (Cara) Estates and was the beginning of Cromarty of Cara as a lineage of the Earldom of Orkney. According to Scandinavian Orkney custom John assumed the surname of the estates where he was from, thus becoming John Cromarty. It is very likely that the family was traveling between the lands in Caithness, Cromarty, and Orkney as history and people are usually not static.
Savedale Papers – (Ref 1500, 19/06, John Cromaty, Savedale Papers". Abirdene, RSS Vol 1, 541).
The Savedale Papers are mentioned in 1500 Abridene, RSS, Vol 1, 541. They are also mentioned as references in later dates.
(Susan Cromarty used the Savedale Paper’s beginning in 1640 to assist in tracing her ancestor’s to Orkney. All lead to same place!)
John “in Sweden”- In the genealogy of Sir Thomas, we see the description of 2 brothers William and Alexander. Alexander married Catherine, dau. of Sir J. Ogilvie of Deskford (House of Finlatour) and became heir about 1475. Alexander is described as the father of Thomas, and descended from the second son of Alexander “lineally” was the valorous gentleman John “went to Sweden". Thomas inherits the Earldom of Cromarty, and John “went to Sweden” becomes both a Colonel in the British Army and a Lieutenant Colonel for the Queen Regnant of Sweden.
From Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty’s genealogy: ALEXANDER married CATHERINE. 1445, This Alexander, the first of that name, was agnamed Ab imo clivo, before he attained to be chief of the family of the Urquhart’s. From this Alexander’s second son, is descended lineally, that learned and valourous gentleman, collonel John Urquhart, who went to Germany and, for many years together, most faithfully discharged the duty of Lieutenant collonel to the queen regnant of Swedeland Upon his wife Catherine, who was the daughter of the house of Finlatour, he begot
We thus have the description of two John Cromarty’s, both living in the same time period, both Urquhart’s, and both having close relations to Scandanavia (Orkney was part of Norway), Caithness, and Cromarty. John “went to Sweden” the lineal son of the second son of Sir Alexander; and John Cromarty (of Cara) who is the son of Hutcheon Cromarty and inherited the lands of Brabsterdorann in Caithness, earlier mentioned as part of the Latheron estates of William de Crumbacyn of 1314 appointed Crowner of the Highlands under Edward I.
John Cromarty purchase's the estates and titles to Garay in South Ronaldsey in 1479, and is of the landed gentry that "he does not need to work". Does this John Cromarty having purchased the estates in Norse Orkney become known in Scotland as John “went to Sweden”, and in Norse Orkney as John "of Cromarty" or John Cromarty?
Why does Sir Thomas purposely describe John “went to Sweden” as being of lineal descent the son of the second son of Sir Alexander; and why is John Cromarty of Cara inheriting the lands of Brabsterdorann from Hutcheon C. lands mentioned as part of the Latheron estates of William de Crumbacyn. John Cromarty, described as being of the “landed gentry-that he does not need to work,” then purchases the Garay estates in Norse Orkney, and uses the name Cromarty instead Urquhart.
If John “went to Sweden”, John Cromarty son of Hutcheon C., and John Cromarty of Cara who purchases the lands of Garay in Orkney are not the same person, they are very close relations.
Sir John Urquhart, knight who went to Devonshire. We should also note the mention of Sir John Urquhart, knight who went to Devonshire. Described as being "renowned" for his "considerable fortune, and high merit, is highly renowned in the fourth parts of England". He appears about the same time, or just before, the Cromarty of London line makes its first appearance in London in 1555. It is here said that he was descendant of those sons of Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty married Helen Abernethie, daughter of Lord Salton, who travelled with great gallantry to foreign countries. At this time England was a foreign country from Scotland. Several families also became sheriffs near Carlisle. The same could have happened in Orkney.
From Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty’s genealogy: THOMAS married HELEN. 1476, He was agnamed Paterhemon, because he had of his wife, Helen Abernethie, a daughter of my lord Salton, five and twenty sons, all men; and eleven daughters, all married women; seven of those sons were killed at the battle of Pinckie; and of some of those others of them that travelled, with great gallantry, to foreign countries, is descended (as I am informed) that worthy knight, in Devonshire, Sir John Urquhart; who, both for his considerable fortune, and far greater merit, is highly renowned in the fourth parts of England; as likewise several families near Carlisle, designed by the name of Urquhart, of such estimation there, that (as I was told) some of them not long ago, have been majors of the city, and sheriffs of the county. To this Thomas, succeeded his son
(Of research interest, in 1480 Sir John MacKay, parson, arrived on South Ronaldsay as the first MacKay in Orkney. MacKay is a long established name in Cromartyshire that originated from the name MacHeth. In Cromartyshire, the MacKay clan was at war with the Ross clan during the time of arrival on South Ronaldsay. Sir John MacKay being titled and a parson it is certain John Cromarty would have known of him).
(Courtesy of Lars Maersk Hansen, of Upsala, Sweden, the last of the Swedish Cromarty's)
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1479
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24/08
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John Cromarty
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acquis. land
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Acquisition of 1 mk land in Garay from John Vrrii.
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OA D23/2/61
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1479
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12/10
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John Cromarty
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Contract
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JC styled "of Cara". Contr w Rorie (Island?)
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OA D23/2/61
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1495
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Huchon Cromaty of Brabisterdorane
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death
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of Brabisterdorane (Brabsterdorran)
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RSS Vol 1, 541
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1500
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19/06
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John Cromaty
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Savedale Papers". Wm's children (Thome, James, Adame, Thome younger, William and Magnus, Elspett) , his brether sons (nephews or kinsmen?) James (son of Alexander) , Huchon and Thomas
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Heir of Huchon. Granted by James IV the income of Brabisterdorane in Caithness, 5 years after the death of HC. Could be same as John of Cara above, but not very likely, with respect to chronology
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Abirdene
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RSS Vol 1, 541
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Magnus the Elder and Magnus the Younger Cromate (Cromarty)- Son’s of John Cromarty. They were appointed by the Crown as the judges, tax collectors, lawmen, and land owners in South Ronaldsey, Orkney.
The Battle of Summerdale - The Battle of Summerdale began when the Earl of Caithness made the ill-guided decision to invade Orkney over his desire to gain the Earldom of Orkney and an internal Sinclair tax revolt led by James Sinclair. Using a witch and other questionable tactics the John Sinclair, Earl of Caithness lost all 500 Scottish soldiers under his command in the Orkney counter attack. The Earl of Caithness was found hiding on the Cromarty of Cara estates. Magnus Cromarty (elder or younger, I am uncertain which) and the son of Magnus the Elder, John (Cromarty) I of Cara arrest, bring to trial, and execute the Earl of Caithness for his horrific crimes and his use of a witch in losing all 500 Scottish soldiers. Both Magnus and John are then found innocent under political and family pressure from Orkney by King James V of Scotland. John (Cromarty) the I of Cara and Magnus the Elder both return to Orkney.
Verdict of Arbiters – In 1562 the division of the lands of Cara into Papla, Clet, Hoxa, Caro, Grymnes, Quyis in Holland, Skowsattyre, Ronaldiswo. Hucheone Cromate who purchased land in Holland, Deerness in 1537 is the arbiter.
Wadset – In 1566 John Urquhat is the witness. He is using the name Urquhart, not Cromarty.
(Courtesy of Lars Maersk Hansen, of Upsala, Sweden, the last of the Swedish Cromarty's)
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1509
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27/04
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Manys Cromede, eldyer Manys Cromede yownger
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Lawman Decree
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roythmenn
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Sabay
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REO XXXVII
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1514
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jun
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Mawnis Cawra
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Decree
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one of "famous, discreit and unsuspek persouns": Magnus Cromarty of C or a relative of his wife Cristane Cara??
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Kirkwall
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REO XXXIX
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1516
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jun
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Mavniss of Crummatte
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Decree
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one among "worthy personis"
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Kirkwall
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REO XL
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1522
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06/07
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Mawnis of Cromatte, eldar Mawnis of Cromatte, younger
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Decree of Court
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among "worthy personis"
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Sabay
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REO XLII
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1523
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Jon Thomesen, David Thomesen, Little Thomas, Thomas (the tailor) a. o.
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Riot
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The Hanseatic assault on certain Burgesses in Bergen, most Scots. JT was Orcadian. Any of these could be a Cromartie. The loot was goods valued 40000 daler according to the complainers
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Bergen
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Merchant Lairds
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1529
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15/06
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Marion
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Sasine
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to MC and her sp Nicoll Tulloch of tenement in Kirkwall, bought and given to James Sinclair of Brecks by his brother german Edward Sinclair of Strome.
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Kirkwall, Burgh Ct 21oct 1549
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NAS RH13/34
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1530
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05/07
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John Cromartie
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Gift
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Spouse to Marion Cragie
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Kirkwall
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REO CVIII
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1537
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05/06
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Hucheon C
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Contract
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Indenture by Edward Sinclair of Strome on 6 mk land in Holland, Deerness.
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Sabay
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NAS CS7/235 /f281
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1538
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06/07
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Jon Thommeson
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Decree of King's Court
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Confirmation of a Shetland Court. Jon T (a Cromartie?) was councillor in B.
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Bergen
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REO XLIII
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1538
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19/09
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John & Magnus Cromate
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respite
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respite for Sumerdale battle 1529, also incl Mag Garioch and Edw Byrsto
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Stirling
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NAS, RC1176, Dipl Orc p114f
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1539
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19/09
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John & Magnus Cromate
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respite
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respite for Sumerdale battle 1529, also incl James, Edw a. o. Sinclairs, Craigies, etc
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Stirling
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RSS Vol 2, 3151, REO XXVI
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1546
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06/05
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John Cromarty of Hoxy
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Precept of Sasine
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Lands in St Mary and St Peter in SR
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Halcro, SR
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REO CXXI
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1546
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29/08
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Margret Cromete (heirs of)
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Charter
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to Edw Sinclair of Strome on lands in Campsta, St Androwis and vice versa on Lands in Onsta, Stennis
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Kirkwall
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REO CXXIII & CXXIV
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1549
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06/07
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cf Crumbachyn 1309 &
Cromaty 1500
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grant of fee from lands
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by the Queen to Lawr. Oliphant. includes Brabsterdorane (cromaty 1500!) and Latheron (Crumbachyn 1309!). Lands by queen due to ward, nonentry, forfeiture, etc (not specified w respect to lands)
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1550
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Johne Crummate of Cara & Janet Ska his spous
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Disposition
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by Villiam Dirde on 1mk land in Deldail, Derenes
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Kirkwall
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REO CXXVIII
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1553
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07/12
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Johne Cromate, younger of Cara
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Decree
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Redemption of land from his sister Cristan
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Howsgar, Sandwick
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REO XLVII
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1554
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27/05
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Alexander Cromarty
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Disposition
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Alexr was witness
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Kirkwall
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REO CXLI
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1557
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John Crummertie of Rannaldsay
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Ship Capture
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Pirates captured a Hanseatic vessel and brought it to Orkney. John was among those summoned for having bought the goods
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OLM 10, 36ff
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1558
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22/06
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Johne Cromatte
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land dispute
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JC one of the "Nomina assisae" at sheriff court
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Kirkwall
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Dipl Orc I, p264-5, REO XLIX
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1560
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17/07
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John Cromarty
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one of Cousins to:
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Magnus Halcro of Buicht involved in a conspiracy with Earl George of Caithness (son of earl slain at Sumerdale), to join him, should the earl invade Orkney! (he didn't but his son did in 1614)
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NAS, GD96/78 Sinclair of Mey papers
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1561
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13/04
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Johne Cromarty and Magnus, his son
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Redemption
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of lands wadset by John's aunt Jonet to James Tulloch
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Kirkwall
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REO CL
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1561
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17/11
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Marg Flett sp to Johne Cromarty
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Lease
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to James Irving of Sabay by heirs of Magnus Flett and Mariorie Lowtit (sp Andro Mowat)
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Kirkwall
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REO CLIII
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1562
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05/03
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John, Elspett, Barbera, William, Thomas, Magnus and Malle Cromarties
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Verdict of Arbiters
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Division of lands of the Cara estate: Papla, Clet, Hoxa, Caro, Grymnes, Quyis in Holland, Skowsattyre, Ronaldiswo. Hucheone Cromate (same H who had land in Holland 1537?) is arbiter
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Cara, SR
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REO, LI
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1566
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02/05
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Johne Urquhat
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Wadset
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John U is witness. Note that he bears the name Urquhart, not Cromarty
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Kirkwall
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REO CLXVI
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(From the writings of the Orkney historian J. Storer Clouston) Briefly, officially ancestry was the chief test in determining eligibility for Arms, but wealth was the practical test. Coats of Arms were given only to the upper military and wealthy factions of society and became a badge of nobility and gentry. Arms came into early use in Orkney around 1200, but were confined only to a few leading families.
The early Cromarty armorial inscriptions on Orkney portray the 3 ancient boar's heads of the arms of the Urquharts of Cromarty some of which are conjoined with a stag in the manner that would be the mark of a chief. In other coats we see the traditional coat of arms of Cromarty the 3 boar's heads. Obviously these early Cromarty’s came from Cromarty, but the surname is not found in Cromarty. When they first appear in Orkney they were a family of very good position who had dropped their original surname and taken the name of the place from which they had come. The use of coats of arms was rare in Orkney and in Scotland could only be used by the Lords of the region who had the right to the use of the family arms. The one family that reigned as the Lords and hereditary sheriffs of the district of Cromarty were the Urquharts of Cromarty, and their arms were the 3 boar's heads. We therefore know that these early Cromarty’s were originally Urquharts of Cromarty.
The stag is found only in Orkney and only in the Clouston arms which would imply a marriage with a Clouston, presumably an heiress. This is documented as such, in 1585 a whole collection of Cromarty’s combined to sell a parcel of land in Clouston, proving such a marriage a generation or 2 previously. Thus the 2 coats of arms are accounted for. One bearing the stag from those descended from the marriage and the other the original Urquhart of Cromarty arms for those who preferred the original arms. The leading family of Cromarty in the 16th and 17th century was the Cromarty of Cara lineage. They acquired Cara by marriage of Magnus Cromarty to the heiress Christian Cara, and this marriage is the one most likely commemorated by the arms. Cara is somewhat of a mystery. It is a place name not a true surname that was rarely found and vanished early, and it was a temporary Orkney designation given from the land. The family name of Cara previous to the Cromarty marriage was likely Clouston.
(From Nevin Sinclair based on the writings of historians J. Clouston and William Saint-Clair)
These families have taken their names from their main place of residence or land-ownership within the Northern Territories of either the Orkney or Shetland Islands and to a lesser extent Caithness. Many of these families are the descendants of the initial Norse Viking colonists who consolidated and extended the Northern Territories of the Orcadian 'jarldom' under the leadership of the family of Jarl Rognvald 'the wise' of Moeri and Rhomasdahl of Norway, and his natural son Jarl 'Turf' Einar.
Following is a list of the senior native families whose ancestors were the significant land-holding nobility of either Orcadian or Shetlander ruling assemblies or councils (known as "lawthing") and were regularly mentioned in the old records as 'gudmen' (hereditary gentelemen odallers) 'lawrightmen' or 'lawrikmen' (regular parish district assizemen) 'lendirneb' (landed men) and 'roitmen' (hereditary odaller/council men).
They were in alphabetical order, Berstane, Clouston, Cragy (Craigie), Cromarty, Corrigal, Flett, Heddle, Halcro, Ireland, Kirkness, Linklater, Ness (later Peterson, Petrie, Tulloch), Paplay, Rendall, Scarth (Formerly Harraldson/Bolt), Scalter, and Yenstay.
Cromartie (Cromarty) of London History
In Cromarty family history one of the stories as to the origins of the family is that there were 2 lines, one that went north and one that went south.
There are several obvious possibilities to the London Cromarty (Cromartie) family. Obviously there are distant origins in Scotland, and the Urquharts of Cromarty. 1. The London family may have travelled to London from Orkney. 2. They may have travelled to London from the Highlands. 3. They are the descendants of Sir John Urquhart of Cromarty, Knight of Devonshire and travelled to London through Surrey from Devonshire, which are the regions being shown in the London records. (The surname Christopher, found in the first marriage in London, of James Cromatye and Catherine Cristopher, is a surname that is native to Devonshire).
Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty of 1613 writes in his genealogy of that "worthy knight, Sir John Urquhart of Cromarty, who went to Devonshire, England". He was the son of Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty, the lineal brother of "John in Sweden", in the late 1400's and early 1500's.
Sir John Urquhart, knight who went to Devonshire. Described as being "renowned" for his "considerable fortune, and high merit, is highly renowned in the fourth parts of England". He appears about the same time, or just before, the Cromarty of London line makes its first appearance in London in 1555. It is here said that he was descendant of those sons, of Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty married Helen Abernethie, daughter of Lord Salton, who travelled with great gallantry to foreign countries. At this time England was a foreign country f |