Purchase Heraldry Products
More Info: Scotland
Of ecclesiastic origin, this is a name derived from the gaelic Macaphersein, meaning "Son of the Parson". The clan itself is reputed to have been founded by Murdo Cattenach, a priest of Kingussie in Badenoch. The MacPhersons formed part of the great Clan Chattan, and frequently disputed the leadership of this federation with the MacKintosh family. They finally did acknowledge the MacKintosh claim to "Captain of Clan Chattan", but showed them little loyalty in the ensuing years. Tradition states that Robert the Bruce promised to grant the lands of Badenoch to the chief of the MacPhersons, on condition that he destroy the Bruce's bitter enemies, the Comyns. This murderous deed was carried out by the chief, Ewan Ban MacMhuirich, and his three sons. In recognition of this event, the clan MacPherson is often referred to as "the Clan of the three brothers".
Na bean d’on chat gun lamhainu, Touch not a cat but a glove.Arms:
Parted [er fess Pr and Azure], a lympad of the First, sails furled, oars in action and tackling all Proper, flag and pennon flying Gules, in dexter canton a dexter hand fessways couped holding a dagger erect, in sinister canton a cross crosslet fitchee all of the Third.Crest:
A cat sejant Proper.Supporters:
Two Highlandmen in short tartan jackets and hose of the tartan of the House of Cluny-MacPherson, helmets on their heads, dirks at their left sides, and targets on their exterior arms, their thighs bare, and their shirts tied between them.Badge:
A cat sejant Proper.Plant:
White Heather.View the Heraldry Dictionary for help.
he clan name is derived from the Gaelic, "Mac a’Phearsain", which literally means "Son of the Parson". The Parson referred to was Muriach, the 12th Century lay prior or parson of Kingussie in Badenoch, which lies in the middle of the old Macpherson Clan lands on the upper waters of the River Spey. Muriach's son was probably the first to take the name, and from Muriach's three grandsons are descended the three main Clan families of Cluny, Pitmain and Invereshie. Hence the history of the Clan has been called "The Posterity of the Three Brethren". Many families and branches developed over the years from these main stems. "Cluny Macpherson" is the style adopted by successive Chiefs. "Cluny" in Gaelic is "Cluanaidh", which means a pasture or meadow. In the 23rd Psalm the phrase "pastures green" is represented by the single word "cluanaidh".
For centuries the Clan Macpherson has been one of the leading Clans in the Clan Chattan confederacy, along with the Mackintoshes, the Davidsons, the MacGillivrays, the Shaws and others. The clan has always played an active and often warlike part in Highland history. In the 14th Century the Macphersons were responsible for the defeat in Badenoch of the Comyns, the enemies of Robert the Bruce. In the same century, together with the MacKintoshes and Davidsons they defeated the men of Clan Cameron at the battle of Invernahavon. During the Civil War Clansmen fought for the King with Montrose.
During the rising of 1745 Ewan of Cluny raised a Regiment of some 400 men to join Prince Charles Edward's force. The Regiment played a leading role in the skirmish at Clifton and at the battle of Falkirk in February 1746. They were engaged in operations in Atholl during the retreat to Culloden, and were thus not present at that fateful defeat. After the Regiment was disbanded at Ruthven in April 1746 Ewan of Cluny spent nine years "in the heather" evading the Hanoverian Redcoats. He was most loyally harboured and assissted by his Clansmen, but in 1755 he left Scotland for France, where he died. Whilst avoiding capture a son was born to Ewan's wife, Janet, the daughter of Lord Lovat. Their son was always known as "Duncan of the Kiln", because he was born in a corn kiln during those fugitive years.
The present Chief is Sir William Macpherson, of Cluny and Blairgowrie. He is descended from William, the Purser of the Clan, who wa first cousin of Ewan of the '45, and who was killed at the battle of Falkirk in 1746. William's son Allan acquired the Blairgowrie estate in 1789, after many years service in India and elsewhere, and succeeding generations have lived in Blairgowrie since then. Sir William is married to Sheila McDonald (nee Brodie), and they have a daughter, Anne, and two sons. Their elder son Alan Thomas remains "younger of Cluny", but Sir William will be succeeded by their younger son James Brodie, since Alan has, with the family's full agreement, stepped out of the line of succession in favour of his younger brother.
After the sale of the Cluny estates some dedicated Clansmen were able to purchase important relics and artefacts from Cluny Castle, and these together with many other items of great Clan interest and history and heraldry are housed in the Macpherson Clan Museum in Newtonmore. The Museum is a focal point for present day Macphersons, and it is the home of the worldwide Clan Macpherson Association, which is a thriving organisation with branches in many countries.
The three tartans in regular use are the grey Hunting Macpherson (as shown above), the Red or Badenoch Macpherson, and the black and white based Dress tartan. The Chief's Crest is "Touch Not the Cat But A Glove", meaning (in its correct interpretation), Touch not the cat when the cat is without a glove. The glove of the wildcat is the soft part of the paw into which the claws are normally retracted. When the wildcat assumes a hostile posture the claws are bared or "ungloved". The motto is a warning to those who would be impudent enough to engage the Macpherson wildcat in battle when its claws are thus "without a glove".
Name Variations: Archibald, Carson, Cattanach, Clark, Clarke, Clarkson, Clerk, Clunie, Cluny, Currie, Ellis, Ellison, Fersen, Gillespie, Gillie, Gillies, Goudie, Gow, Gowan, Gowans, Leary, Lees, MacChlery, MacClair, MacCleary, MacCleish, MacCurrach, MacCurrie, MacGillies, MacGougan, MacGoun, MacGow, MacGowan, MacGown, MacGrail, MacKeith, MacLear, MacLeary, MacLees, MacLeish, MacLerie, MacLise, MacLish, MacMurdo, MacMurdoch, MacMurray, MacMurrich, MacPherson, MacQueen, MacVurich, MacVurirch, MacVurrich, Murdoch, Murdoson, Pearson, Smith.
References:One or more of the following publications has been referenced for this article.The General Armory; Sir Bernard Burke - 1842.
A Handbook of Mottoes; C.N. Elvin - 1860.
Scottish Clans and Tartans; Neil Grant - 2000.
Scottish Clan and Family Encyclopedia; George Way of Plean and Romilly Squire - 1994.
Scottish Clans and Tartans; Ian Grimble - 1973.
World Tartans; Iain Zaczek - 2001.
Clans and Families of Scotland; Alexander Fulton - 1991.
The beautiful heraldry artwork for this family is available to purchase on select products from the Celtic Radio Store. We look forward to filling your order!