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CLAN HENDERSON 2019 HONORED CLAN

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Clan Henderson
Henderson Clan Crest: An arm, the hand holding an estoile (six pointed star) surmounted by a blue crescent.

Henderson Clan Motto: Sola Virtus Nobilitat (Virtue alone ennobles).

Henderson Clan History:

Tradition has it that Big Henry, otherwise Eannig Mor Mac Righ Neachtan, son of King Nectan, ruler of Caledonia in the 8th century, founded the Clan Henderson of Glencoe.

The Lowland Hendersons of Fordell, in Fife, are thought to descend from the Henrysons of Dumfries.  In 1374, a William Henderson is listed as being Chamberlain of Lochmaben Castle, responsible to Edward III of England.

Clan Henderson of the North lived in Glencoe in Argyllshire and took their name from an anglicised version of their Gaelic name Maceanruig.  Traditionally, they formed the bodyguard for the MacIan Macdonald Chiefs of Glencoe. When the Massacre of Glencoe took place in 1692, Big Henderson of the Chanters, the Chief's piper, was among those killed.

A branch of Clan Gunn also carries the name Henderson, claiming descent from a Chief of Clan Gunn during the 15th century.

Alexander Henderson of Fordell (1583-1646), was a Professor of Philosophy and bitterly opposed to Charles I's attempt to reform the Church of Scotland.  He was responsible for drafting the Solemn League of Covenant in 1638.  Thomas Henderson (1798-1844) was born in Dundee and became Scotland's leading astronomer.


Places of Interest:

Fordell Castle, Inverkeithing, Fife. The Estate was acquired in the 16th century by James Henderson, who became lord Advocate of Scotland. The castle dates from that period, but was sold by the family in the 19th century. In the 20th century it was restored by Sir Nicholas Fairbairn, who became Solicitor General for Scotland. 

Glencoe, Argyllshire. The notorious massacre took place on 13th February 1692. The MacIan Macdonalds of Glencoe were late in swearing allegiance to the incoming King William (of Orange) and Queen Mary and were put to the sword on the instructions of the Master of Stair. Today there is a National Trust for Scotland Visitor Centre which explains the story.


FORDELL CASTLE

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FORDELL CASTLE
DATING FROM THE MID 1500'S, THE CURRENT FORDELL CASTLE IS THE TRADITIONAL SEAT OF THE BARONS OF HENDERSON SINCE THE 1200'S. THE CASTLE AND THE VARIOUS OUTBUILDINGS WERE RECENTLY RESTORED AND ARE A PRIVATE RESIDENCE ONCE AGAIN OF A DESCENDANT OF THE HENDERSONS.

THE TARTANS OF CLAN HENDERSON

The Clan Henderson tartan is predominately green with large blue and black bands, and small yellow and white stripes.  The tartan is available in five variations: Ancient, Modern, Dress, Muted and Weathered.  Although these variations incorporate very different colors, they are all considered the same tartan.
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HENDERSON MODERN
Modern tartans represent plaids that are made with chemical dyes, allowing for deeper and darker colors.  It also recognizes the fact that modern dyes will not fade in the manner of the ancient tartans.  This tartan is representative of a family newly aquiring the tartan material or it can be considered a dsiplay of wealth and prosperity within the family.

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HENDERSON ANCIENT
Ancient tartans represent plaids that were made with natural dyes.  They incorporate the primary color pattern of the clan.  However, they are lighter in shade, especially the blue, symbolizing that unlike modern dyes, time will fade the coloring on the tartan.  The ancient tartan is representative of a tartan that has been in the family a long time.

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HENDERSON DRESS
Dress tartans replace much of the primary colors with white.  In the Clan Henderson tartan, the dress tartan has most of the green replaced with white.  Dress tartans stem from the Victorian-era, where custom mandated that women of virtue wear white.  Accordingly, the dress tartan is considered a woman’s tartan, and in the Clan Henderson, is not appropriate attire for members of the bodyguard.

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