Atholl History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Atholl was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they were anciently, recorded in the 8th century, seated in their territories. The Pictish influence on Scottish history diminished after Kenneth Macalpine became King of all Scotland. They were said to have been borne of seven sons of the King Cruithne. But those east coast families still played an important role in government and were more accessible to Government than their western highland counterparts. The family name became associated as a sept of the Clan Dukes of Atholl. Allegiances were important to Scottish middle age survival. Later they held a family seat at Glen Garry.