by James H. Grant
Much
has been written about the Chiefs of Grant. Their genealogy is well documented
from the early years of the 15th century and considerable evidence
suggests that Grant Chieftains flourished in the Scottish highlands for
many generations prior to this period.
There were a number of other Grant families whose precise origins cannot be documented. They were, nonetheless, an integral part of the clan. It is quite likely that some or all of these families descended from the younger sons of early Chiefs. It is also possible that some were independent families or clans who simply aligned themselves with the more powerful Grants for economic or political reasons and later assumed the surname Grant.
Within the context of this article, branch families are defined as those Grant families whose precise origins cannot be documented. They are distinguished from cadet families whose lineage can be traced to a known progenitor, a younger son of an early Chief or Chieftain.
At the head of each branch was a Chieftain or Ceann Tighe (Gaelic), usually the senior direct lineal descendant of the family’s progenitor.
Although their precise origins are unknown, the branch families are of great antiquity. Some branches became extinct after one or two generations. Others became dispersed with the passage of time and the heads of these families are unknown. Still others have survived into the 21st century and are represented today by their Chieftain. Some of the principal branch families of the Clan Grant are as follows:
The Grants of Freuchie and of Grant
This is
the family of our Chief, the Rt. Hon. Lord Strathspey, Sir James Patrick
Trevor Grant of Grant, Bart. The family’s line of succession can be documented
from Sir Duncan Grant of Freuchie, ca. 1434. It is known that other
Grants flourished in Strathspey for more than a century prior to this
date, and earlier in Stratherrick, southeast of Loch Ness, since at least
the 13th century. The Chiefs were originally known as the Laird’s
of Freuchie. In 1694, Ludovick Grant of Freuchie had his lands erected
into the Regality of Grant. He and his descendants were thereafter styled
Grant of Grant. The Rt. Hon. Earl of Seafield, Ian Derek Francis Ogilvie-Grant,
is also a direct descendant of the Lairds of Freuchie and of Grant. Principal
cadets: Ballintomb (later of Monymusk, Aberdeenshire), Clury, Corrimony
in Glenurquhart, Easter Elchies, Glenmoriston, Kinchirdie, Lurg, Rothiemurchus,
and Wester Elchies.
The 1st Grants of Ballindalloch, in the parish
of Inveravon
The earliest
known ancestor of this family was Patrick Grant in Ballindalloch, circa
1520. According to tradition, a significant rivalry and power struggle
existed between the houses of Ballindalloch and Freuchie – perhaps as
early as the 15th century. In the 18th century,
the of Laird of Ballindalloch succumbed to bankruptcy and the estate was
eventually purchased by a younger son of the Laird of Rothiemurchus. The
present owners of Ballindalloch are descended from this family. Cadets:
Dalvey, later Dunlugas in Banffshire, and according to tradition, Tulloch,
Advie, and Tomnavoulin.
The Grants of Tullochgorm, in the parish of Inverallan
The earliest
known ancestor of this family was Patrick Grant in Tullochgorm, ca.
1530. The family held Tullochgorm until 1777, when Sir James Grant of
Grant redeemed the wadsett (lease). Descendants of this family distinguished
themselves as military officers, the most notable being Field Marshal
Sir Patrick Grant during the late Victorian era. Dr. Isabel F. Grant,
the emminent 20th century historian, and her brother, Brigadier
Eneas H.G. Grant, were also Tullochgorms. Other descendants of this family
live today at Tomatin in Invernesshire. Cadet: Achosnich.
The Clan Donnachie, descendants of the Grants of Gartenbeg
in the parish of Duthil
T he earliest
known ancestor of this family was Duncan Grant of Gartenbeg, 1537. The
present Chieftain of the Clan Donnachie is Sir Patrick A.B. Grant of Dalvey,
Bart. Principal cadets: Inverlaidnan, Dalvey, Kinveachy, and Dalrachnie.
The Clan Allan, the Grants of Auchernach in the parish
of Abernethy
One of
the ancient families of the Clan which, according to tradition, descended
from Allan Grant, a younger son of an early Chief. James Grant of Auchernach
was Curator to the 5th Laird of Freuchie in 1569. Another James
Grant in Auchernach was Chamberlain to the 7th Laird, a century
later. Principal cadets of the Clan Allan: Burnside, Gartinmore, Auchterblair,
Mullochard, and Lettoch. The Chiefship of the Clan Allan was transferred
from the senior line of Auchernach to Dr. Gregory Grant, a descendant
of the junior line of Burnside in 1777. Known descendants of this family
have survived into the 21st century, including Mr. David Grant
who earned considerable notoriety in recent years by traveling around
the world with his family in a horse drawn caravan.
The Clan Chiaran, the Grants in Auchnarrow, later of
Dellachapple in the parish of Cromdale
This ancient
family descended, according to tradition, from Lucas Ciar, a younger
son of an early Chief. John Grant in Dellachapple was Procurator to James
Grant, Laird of Freuchie, in 1647. The Clan Chiaran took a significant
part in clan affairs until the 17th century when they fell
afoul of the Chief and some families were essentially banished from the
clan lands. Several families eventually returned and once again regained
a foothold in Strathspey. Principal cadets: Glenbeg, Craggan, and Kirkton.
The Grants of Blairfindy, Glenlivet
According
to tradition, the Blairfindies descended from William Grant, circa
1527. Situated in remote Glenlivet, a number of the sons of this family
were educated at the Roman Catholic school there and supported the Jacobite
cause in the 1745 rebellion. The Blairfindy Grants were known more for
their achievements in foreign lands than in their native country. Abbe’
Robert Grant was Principal of the Scots College at Douay in the 18th
century; his brother, Abbe’ Peter Grant lived in Rome. Another descendant
of this family, Col. Grant, Baron de Blairfindy, was a distinguished officer
in the army of France. Capt. David Alexander Grant immigrated to Canada
and married a daughter of the 3rd Baron Longueuil. Their offspring
succeeded as Barons of Longueuil well into the 20th century.
The present owners and directors of the J & G Grant Glenfarclas distillery
are also descended from this family.
The Grants of Glenlochy, in the parish of Abernethy,
later of Kilgraston in Perthshire
The earliest
documented ancestor of this family was Donald Grant M’Allister vic Robie
in Glenlochy, 1620. Representatives of this family went to Jamaica in
the 18th century and later retired to the estate of Kilgraston,
in Perthshire. Noteworthy descendants include Sir Francis Grant, the imminent
19th century painter and President of the Royal Academy, and
his brother, General Sir James Hope Grant. Another descendant, through
the female line, was the noted World War II naval officer, Vice Admiral
Basil Charles Barrington Brooke.
Please refer comments regarding this article to James Grant – standfast@charter.net
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