| ![Show Contents]() McLegend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
Etymology of McLegendWhat does the name McLegend mean? The western coast of Scotland and the desolate Hebrides islands are the ancient home of the McLegend family. Their name is derived from the personal name Robert. Known as the Clan Donnachaidh, (MacDhonnchaidh) 'son of Duncan' the family's origins are very distinguished, as the senior branch of the line were the hereditary abbots of Dunkeld, who traced their descent from Iona. In addition, Abbot Duncan of Dunkeld, the Robertson progenitor, was killed in battle in 964, as he led the warriors, bearing, a reliquary of St. Columba. His grandson, Abbot Crinan of Dunkeld, married the Kings daughter and then fathered King Duncan I of Scotland who was killed by MacBeth (of Shakespearean fame). Crinan is buried at the Isle of lona, burial place of Scotland's early Kings. 1 McLegend Coat of Arms CreationThe wolf, long a terror in many parts of Scotland, appears in several crests and shields. Wolves were evidently a pest in Perthshire, and it is said that one Donald Macdonald got the lands of Struan or Strowan in Perthshire for killing wolves, and three wolf heads appear in his shield. The crest is a hand holding an imperial crown, and the motto is " Virtutis gloria merces " (Glory is the reward of valour). Robert, one of the heads of the family, apprehended one of the murderers of King James I., and for this the family of Struan has since borne a wild man chained under the escutcheon of their arms. In the Highlands the Robertsons are known as the Clan Donnachai, pronounced Donachie, and it is sometimes asserted that the clan is not derived from the Macdonalds, but from Duncan, eldest son of Malcolm III., and it was from some Robert in the reign of James II. that they got the name Robertson. 2 Early Origins of the McLegend familyThe surname McLegend was first found in Atholl. King Duncan's younger son, Maelmore, sired Madadh, Earl of Atholl, and his grandson, Earl Henry, was father to Conan who held vast territories in this area. Conan of Glenerochie was the first Chief of the Robertsons and gave his name to the Clan Connchaidh or Duncan. His successor, Duncan, the 5th Chief, led the Clan in the army of King Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314 against the English. For this service, and his subsequent staunch support of the Scottish Crown, his grandson Robert of Struan was granted the lands and barony in 1451. Early History of the McLegend familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our McLegend research. Another 403 words (29 lines of text) covering the years 1520, 1561, 1587, 1645, 1653, 1668, 1680, 1686, 1689, 1703, 1705, 1715, 1723, 1727, 1745, 1746, 1749, 1783, 1784 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McLegend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. McLegend Spelling VariationsSpelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. McLegend has appeared in various documents spelled Robertson, MacConachie, Maconachie, MacConaghy, MacConchie, MacConckey, MacConkey, MacDonnachie, MacDonachie, MacDunnachie, MacInroy, MacLagan, Mac Raibeirt (Gaelic) and many more. Early Notables of the McLegend familyThomas Robertson (fl. 1520-1561), schoolmaster and dean of Durham, was born at or near Wakefield in Yorkshire early in the sixteenth century.
William Robertson (d. 1686?), Scottish lexicographer, was a graduate of Edinburgh, and is probably the William Robertson who was laureated by Duncan Forester in April 1645. From 1653 to 1680 he lived in the city of London and...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McLegend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the McLegend family to IrelandSome of the McLegend family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 107 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the McLegend familyThe descendants of the Dalriadan families who made the great crossing of the Atlantic still dot communities along the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many of the settlers traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Clan societies and highland games have allowed Canadian and American families of Scottish descent to recover much of their lost heritage. Investigation of the origins of family names on the North American continent has revealed that early immigrants bearing the name McLegend or a variant listed above include: Daniel Robertson, who settled in Virginia in 1716; along with Francis, Isabella, James, John, and Donald; Alexander, Archibald, Charles, Daniel, Duncan, George, Henry, James, Jane, John, Robert, Thomas and William Robertston all arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1870.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Virtutis gloria merces
Motto Translation: Glory is the reward of valour.
- Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
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