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{{Short description|Lowland Scottish clan}}
{{Unreferenced|date=September 2008}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}

{{Infobox Clan {{Infobox clan
|clan name =Clan Ramsay |clan name =Clan Ramsay
|image badge =Clan member crest badge - Clan Ramsay.svg |image badge =Clan member crest badge - Clan Ramsay.svg
|chiefs crest =A unicorn's head couped Argent armed Or |chiefs crest =A ]'s head couped Argent<br />armed Or<ref name="Scotclans"> scotclans.com. Retrieved 7 September 2013.</ref>
|chiefs motto =Ora et labora |chiefs motto ={{lang|la|]}}<br />(] for 'Pray and Work')<ref name="Scotclans"/>
|chiefs slogan = |chiefs slogan =
|war cry = |war cry =
|region =] |region =]
|district =] |district =]
|gaelic names = |gaelic names =Ramsaidh<ref name="Scotclans"/>
|image arms =Earl of Dalhousie arms.svg |image arms =Earl of Dalhousie arms.svg
|plant badge =blue ] |plant badge =Blue ]
|animal = |animal =
|pipe music = |pipe music =
|chiefs name =The Rt. Hon. James Hubert Ramsay |chiefs name =The Rt. Hon. ]
|chiefs title =The 17th ] |chiefs title =The 17th ]
|chiefs gaelic title= |chiefs gaelic title=
|seat =] |seat =]
|historic seat =] |historic seat =]
|septs = |septs =
|branches =Ramsays of Dalhousie<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/><br />Ramsays of Auchterhouse<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/><br />Ramsays of Banff<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/><br />Ramsays of Forfar<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/><br />Ramsays of Clatto<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>
|branches =
|Allied clans =
|Rival clans = ]
<!-- the following information is for clans without a current chief --> <!-- the following information is for clans without a current chief -->
|last chiefs name= |last chiefs name=
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|commander = |commander =
}} }}
'''Clan Ramsay''' is a ] ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay">Way, George and Squire, Romily. ''Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia''. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The ]). Published in 1994. Pages 298 – 299.</ref><ref name="SCSC">{{cite web | url=http://www.clanchiefs.org/p/?init=clanfinder&id=ramsay | title=Clan Ramsay | publisher=Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs | access-date=24 November 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311084831/http://www.clanchiefs.org/p/?init=clanfinder&id=ramsay | archive-date=11 March 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
⚫ ] as illustrated in the '']'' of 1842.]]

'''Clan Ramsay''' is a ] ] of ] origin.<ref name="SCSC">{{cite web | url=http://www.clanchiefs.org/?init=clanfinder&id=ramsay | title=Clan Ramsay | publisher=Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs | accessdate=2008-09-30}}</ref> The clan can be traced to the 12th century in ].<ref name="CRANA">{{cite web | url=http://www.clanramsay.org/ramsay_hist.html | title=Clan Ramsay History | publisher=Clan Ramsay Association of North America | accessdate=2008-09-30}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
⚫ ===Origins===


⚫ ===Origins of the clan===
<!-- The following is provided by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs for noncommercial use. Please rewrite, wikify, and combine elements from other sources. -->
⚫ ] as illustrated in the '']'' of 1842.]]
A ''ram in the sea'' is said to have been an emblem on the seal of Ramsay Abbey in ] in the 11th century. When ], travelled north to claim the throne of ] in 1124, he was accompanied by many young ] noblemen keen to share in their overlord’s heritage. These may have included Sir Symon de Ramesie (] Simon of ]) who received a grant of land in ] from David and who witnessed important charters, including one to the monks of ] in 1140.
In the eleventh century a ram in the sea is believed to have been an emblem on the seal of an abbey in Huntingdon.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> In 1124, ] was accompanied by many young ] noblemen.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> Amongst these nobles may have been Symon de Ramesie.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> Symon was granted lands in ] from David and also witnessed an important charter to the monks of ] in 1140.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>


⚫ ===13th century and branches of the clan===
Actually the Ramsays of Nordic countries have another explanation to the origin of "Ramsay". In the Icelandic language (hraems-ay) Rams-ay means ravens island. This means that the black bird in Ramsay arms comes from a raven. If we look at an old coat of arms from the 13th century (Adam Ramsay 1290) the "eagle" looks more like a "raven".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rammac.eu/vapnet.htm|title=Olika Ramsay vapen}} In Finnish? Good pictures of the crest etc though.</ref>
The origin of Ramsays may be Viking from "Ravens Island" who settled in Normandy. In a Ramsay chronicle by Anders Ramsay (Finland) mentions that one Ramsay participated in the First Crusade to Jerusalem. At that time many knights came from Normandy - but not from Scotland.


By the 13th century there were five major branches of the Clan Ramsay: the Ramsays of ], the Ramsays of ], the Ramsays of ], the Ramsay of ] and the Ramsays of Clatto.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> In 1255, during the minority of ], William de Ramsay of Dalhousie was a member of the king's council.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>
===Branches===


⚫ ===Wars of Scottish Independence===
The de Ramesie family prospered, and by the 13th century there were five, or even six, major branches: ] (]), ] (], aka ]), ]<ref>Bamff Charters A.D. 1232-1703, James Ramsay 1915</ref> (]), ] (]), ] (]) and, probably, ] (]). ], son of Nessus de Ramsay of Forthar, was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen in 1247 and, before his death in 1256, like ], he was a member of the king’s council in 1255 during the minority of ]. William's son, or perhaps his grandson, also called William, appears on the ], swearing ] to ] in 1296 as Ramsay de Dalwolsy, along with ten other Ramsay lairds from Angus, Fife, Midlothian and the borders.


During the ], William Ramsay appears on the ] of 1296, swearing fealty to ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> However Ramsay later declared for ] and was one of the signatories on the ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> Ramsay had two sons, William and Alexander.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> The latter was a renowned knight and in 1342 was made sheriff of ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> However this office was claimed by the ] who became jealous and ] captured Alexander Ramsay with a strong force of men, imprisoning him in ], where he was ] to death.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> Alexander's brother, William Ramsay, was captured by the English at the ] but was not killed by them as he lived to tell the tale.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>
⚫ ===14th century and Wars of Scottish Independence===


In 1400 another Sir Alexander Ramsay held out in ] against a siege by the English, who were forced to retreat due to Ramsay's resolute resistance.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>
Dalhousie later declared for King ], becoming one of the signatories to the open letter to the ], now known as the ], which declared Scotland’s independence in 1320. He had at least two sons, William and Alexander. Alexander was a renowned knight, and for his many services he was made Sheriff of ] in 1342. This aroused the jealousy of the ], who claimed the office as their own. Sir ] of Liddesdale fell upon Alexander with a strong force of men and imprisoned him in ], where he starved to death. Alexander’s brother, William, also endured captivity when he was captured at the ] in 1346, but William lived to tell the tale.

Sir John Ramsay of Auchterhouse fought in ]'s campaign (1297-1303) and with ] during the Scottish conquest of Ireland (1317). Sir William Ramsay of Colluthie, who was captured by the English both at ] (1346) and when he fought for the French at ] (1356), was created ] in 1358 by ].

In 1400, Sir ] held ] in Midlothian against a siege by ], and resisted so resolutely that the English were forced to withdraw.
This is mentioned in Shakespeares Henry IV part I.


===16th century and Anglo-Scottish Wars=== ===16th century and Anglo-Scottish Wars===


During the ] Sir Alexander's descendant and namesake, Alexander Ramsay, was killed at the ] in 1513, when Dalhousie passed to his son, Nicolas, who was to be a staunch supporter of ]. After Mary’s final defeat the Ramsays acknowledged her son as ]. They were later to be handsomely rewarded for saving that monarch’s life. In 1513 during the ], Sir Alexander's descendant, another Alexander Ramsay, was killed at the ].<ref>{{cite book |last=Guthrie |first=William |author-link=William Guthrie (historian) |year=1767 |title=A General History of Scotland |url=https://archive.org/details/ageneralhistory14guthgoog/page/n6/mode/2up |volume=4 |location=], London |publisher=A. Hamilton, Robinson and Roberts |pages=-372 |access-date=May 8, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> Dalhousie then passed to his son, Nicolas, who was a staunch supporter of ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> After Mary was defeated the Ramsays acknowledged her son as ] and the Ramsays were later rewarded for saving that monarch's life.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>


One of Nicolas's grandsons was John Ramsay who in 1600 killed both the Ruthven, ] and his brother who were allegedly attempting to kidnap the king.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> This became known as the ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> For saving the king, John Ramsay was created ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>
⚫ ===17th century and Civil War===


===17th century and Civil War===
In 1600, ], one of Nicolas’s great-grandsons and a page to ], killed the ] and his brother, ], who were accused of the ], an attempt to kidnap the king. John was knighted and later created ] (1606) and ] (1621) by a grateful king. He died in 1626 and, as none of his children survived him, his line became extinct.


In 1618, the Earl of Holderness's brother, George Ramsay, was created Lord Ramsay.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> His eldest son, William Ramsay, opposed the religious politics of ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> During the ], William raised a regiment of cavalry and fought at the ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> He was also part of ]'s force at the ] where the Marquis of Montrose was defeated.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> Ramsay had been created ] in 1633.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>
Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Ramsay, recruited by his brother Colonel Andrew Ramsay, commanded the Scottish forces at the ] in 1612 on the ill-fated expedition to Sweden to form a Scottish regiment for ].


In 1666 Sir Gilbert Ramsay of ], descended from Neis de Ramsay, physician to ] around 1232, was created a ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>
], Holderness’s eldest brother, also attained high rank when he was created Lord Ramsay in 1618. Ramsay’s eldest son, ], opposed the religious policies of ], Scotland and Ireland and raised a cavalry regiment for ]. He fought at the ], and was part of General ] force which surprised ] at the ] in 1645. He had been created ] in 1633.


===18th and 19th centuries=== ===18th and 19th centuries===

⚫ The Ramsays were thereafter to continue in military and public service down to the present day. They served in all the great campaigns of the 18th and 19th centuries on the continent, in ], and in ]. The ] was ] from 1819 to 1828, and commander-in-chief of India from 1829 to 1832. His son, ] also served as ] from 1847 to 1856, during a period of great expansion of British interest on the sub-continent. He was created ] in 1849, but this title died with him in 1860, although the older earldom passed to a cousin from whom the present Earl descends.

Many other branches of the family have also produced persons of distinction and rank. Admiral the Honourable Sir ], the younger son of the ], married ] ] of ], granddaughter of ]. Their son, the late Captain ] of ] (]), and his wife, the ], chief of the ], are, by the Queen’s personal wish, members of the royal family. Sir ] of ], descended from ], ] to ] around 1232, was created a ''Baronet of ]'' in 1666. Sir John Ramsay of ] (]), who was created Lord Bothwell in 1485, forfeited that title for ] in 1488 and it was later granted to the ]; the Balmain Ramsays restored their fortunes by being created ]s, first in 1625 and again in 1806.

] circa 1880.]] ] circa 1880.]]
].]] ].]]
⚫ The Ramsays served in all the great campaigns of the 18th and 19th centuries on the continent, in Canada, and in ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> ] was ] from 1819 to 1828.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> He was also commander-in-chief of India from 1829 to 1832.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> His son was ] who also served as ], from 1847 to 1856.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> In 1849 he was created ] but this title died with him in 1860.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> However the older earldom passed to a cousin from whom the present Earl descends.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>


Other branches of the family have also produced persons of distinction and rank.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> ], the younger son of the ] married ] who was a granddaughter of ].<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> Their son was ] and his wife, the ], chief of the ], are members of the royal family, by the Queen's personal wish.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>
⚫ ==Castles==


Sir John Ramsay of Balmain was created Lord Bothwell in 1485.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> However he forfeited that title for ] in 1488 and it was later granted to the Clan Hepburn.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/> The Ramsays of Balmain restored their fortunes by being created s, first in 1625 and again in 1806.<ref name="Clan.Encyclopedia.Ramsay"/>
⚫ *] the current seat of the ], chief of Clan Ramsay.
⚫ *] was the previous seat of the Earls of Dalhousie.


==Other achievements== ===Other achievements===


Fighting was not the only talent of this family. Andrew Ramsay, better known as the ''Chevalier de Ramsay'', left Scotland for ] in 1708. His academic excellence was soon recognized, and he became mentor to the ''Prince de Turenne''. The ] appointed him a ] of the ], and for a time he was tutor to both the ] ]s, ] and ]. ], the great 18th century poet, and his son, the distinguished portrait painter, were descended from the ]s of ], ]s of the chiefly house. In 1972, Dalhousie Castle was converted to a hotel, and the clan seat became ] in ]. Fighting was not the only talent of this family. ], better known as the Chevalier de Ramsay, left Scotland for France in 1708. His academic excellence was soon recognized, and he became mentor to the Prince de Turenne. The King of France appointed him a Knight of the Order of Saint Lazarus, and for a time he was tutor to both the Jacobite princes, Charles Edward Stuart and Henry Benedict Stuart. Allan Ramsay, the great 18th century poet, and his son, the distinguished portrait painter, were descended from the Clan Lairds of Cockpen, cadets of the chiefly house. Raymond Ramsay is a well-known 20th-century historian. Raymond was born in ] and he is author of some books and articles about great Norman explorers of ]. Raymond Ramsay wrote about ] and ] etc. In 1972, Dalhousie Castle was converted to a hotel, and the clan seat became Brechin Castle in Angus.


One of the world's most successful chefs, ], belongs to the clan.
==Timeline==


Tristen Ramsay, (the gamer) also belongs to this clan.
* 2003 &mdash; Dalhousie Castle in ], ], was sold to ].
* 1999 &mdash; ], 16th Earl of Dalhousie and former ''] of ] and ]'', died on July 15 at age 84.
* 1972 &mdash; Dalhousie Castle was converted into a hotel.
* 1568 &mdash; ] fought alongside ], at Langside, ], where Mary's army was defeated.
* 1563 &mdash; Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed at Dalhousie Castle before continuing to ] (Confirmed by the ] in 2003).
* 1320 &mdash; William Ramsay became a signatory to the Declaration of Arbroath in which Scottish Barons appealed to the ] for aid against English oppression.
* 1314 &mdash; On June 24, William Ramsay joined forces with King ] to defeat ] at ].
* 1296 &mdash; King ] stayed at Dalhousie Castle before the ] when Sir ] was defeated.
* 1280 &mdash; Ramsay Dalhousie (''Ramsay de Dalwolsey'') built the inner Keep with Vaults and the bottle dungeon.
* 1140&ndash;1280 &mdash; The Ramsays acquired large estates by marriage to the heiress of the Maules, Norman mercenaries who were employed by King David and thus secured royal grants of land in Midlothian and the ].
* 1140 &mdash; Simon Ramsay (''Simundus de Ramseia''), a ] nobleman under King David, was the first to land at Dalhousie. The Ramsays became notorious border raiders and for-hire cutthroats.
* 1090 &mdash; The Viking and/or his son joined King ], and survived by robbing the natives.
* 1066 &mdash; A ] ], the progenitor of the Ramsay clan, sailed with Duke William II to England, and fought alongside Norman troops at the Battle of Hastings. The Ramsay ] battle emblem was produced.


⚫ ==Castles==
==Dalhousie branch==


⚫ *] is the current seat of the ], chief of Clan Ramsay.
The Ramsays of ''']''' (or Dalwolsie) in ] were a branch of the main line of ] Clan Ramsay of whom the earliest known is ], of ], England, mentioned in 1140 as the grantee of lands in ] at the hands of ]. A Sir William de Ramsay of Dalhousie swore ] to ] in 1296, but is famous for having in 1320 signed the letter to the pope asserting the independence of Scotland; and his supposed son, ] (d. 1342), was the Scottish patriot and capturer of ] (1342), who, having been made warder of the castle and sheriff of Teviotdale by ], was soon afterwards carried off and starved to death by his predecessor, the Douglas, in revenge. Sir John Ramsay of Dalhousie (1580-1626), ] favorite, is famous for rescuing the king in the Gowrie conspiracy, and was created (1606) ] and ] (subsequently ] and ] in ]). The barony of Ramsay of Melrose was granted in 1618 to his brother George Ramsay of Dalhousie (d. 1629), whose son William Ramsay (d. 1674) was made 1st ] in 1633.
⚫ *] was the previous seat of the Earls of Dalhousie.


==Clan profile== ==Clan profile==

===Chief=== ===Chief===
The current ] of Clan Ramsay is James Ramsay, 17<sup>th</sup> ]. The current ] of Clan Ramsay is James Ramsay, 17th ].


===Symbols=== ===Symbols===
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The most popular of the tartans attributed to the surname ''Ramsay'' is derived from one titled ''Ramsey'' in the '']'' published in 1842. Though the ''Vestiarium'' has been proven to be a Victorian era hoax many of today's clan tartans are derived from it. The ''Vestiarium'' provides both an illustrative plate, and a written description of the sett, however the plate and description contradict each other. The most popular of the tartans attributed to the surname ''Ramsay'' is derived from one titled ''Ramsey'' in the '']'' published in 1842. Though the ''Vestiarium'' has been proven to be a Victorian era hoax many of today's clan tartans are derived from it. The ''Vestiarium'' provides both an illustrative plate, and a written description of the sett, however the plate and description contradict each other.

===Branches and septs===
] names attributed to the clan include: Brechin, Brecheen and Maule.


==See also== ==See also==
* ] - famous Ramsays * ] – famous Ramsays
* ] - famous Ramseys
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
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==External links== ==External links==
* Clan Ramsay Association of North America (CRANA) * Clan Ramsay International
** **
* (Eddie Ramsay)
* *
* * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043402/http://www.rammac.fi/ |date=1 December 2017 }}
* *


{{Scottish clans}} {{Scottish clans}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramsay}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ramsay}}
⚫ ]
] ]
] ]
]

⚫ ]
]
]
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Latest revision as of 03:38, 7 November 2024

Lowland Scottish clan

Clan Ramsay
Ramsaidh
Crest: A unicorn's head couped Argent
armed Or
MottoOra et Labora
(Latin for 'Pray and Work')
Profile
RegionLowlands
DistrictMidlothian
Plant badgeBlue harebell
Chief
The Rt. Hon. James Hubert Ramsay
The 17th Earl of Dalhousie
SeatBrechin Castle
Historic seatDalhousie Castle
Clan branches
Ramsays of Dalhousie
Ramsays of Auchterhouse
Ramsays of Banff
Ramsays of Forfar
Ramsays of Clatto
Rival clans
Clan Douglas

Clan Ramsay is a Lowland Scottish clan.

History

Origins of the clan

Ramsay tartan as illustrated in the Vestiarium Scoticum of 1842.

In the eleventh century a ram in the sea is believed to have been an emblem on the seal of an abbey in Huntingdon. In 1124, David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon was accompanied by many young Norman noblemen. Amongst these nobles may have been Symon de Ramesie. Symon was granted lands in Midlothian from David and also witnessed an important charter to the monks of Holyrood Abbey in 1140.

13th century and branches of the clan

By the 13th century there were five major branches of the Clan Ramsay: the Ramsays of Dalhousie, the Ramsays of Auchterhouse, the Ramsays of Banff, the Ramsay of Forfar and the Ramsays of Clatto. In 1255, during the minority of Alexander III of Scotland, William de Ramsay of Dalhousie was a member of the king's council.

Wars of Scottish Independence

During the Wars of Scottish Independence, William Ramsay appears on the Ragman Rolls of 1296, swearing fealty to Edward I of England. However Ramsay later declared for Robert the Bruce and was one of the signatories on the Declaration of Arbroath. Ramsay had two sons, William and Alexander. The latter was a renowned knight and in 1342 was made sheriff of Teviotdale. However this office was claimed by the Douglases who became jealous and William Douglas, Lord of Liddesdale captured Alexander Ramsay with a strong force of men, imprisoning him in Hermitage Castle, where he was starved to death. Alexander's brother, William Ramsay, was captured by the English at the Battle of Neville's Cross but was not killed by them as he lived to tell the tale.

In 1400 another Sir Alexander Ramsay held out in Dalhousie Castle against a siege by the English, who were forced to retreat due to Ramsay's resolute resistance.

16th century and Anglo-Scottish Wars

In 1513 during the Anglo-Scottish Wars, Sir Alexander's descendant, another Alexander Ramsay, was killed at the Battle of Flodden. Dalhousie then passed to his son, Nicolas, who was a staunch supporter of Mary, Queen of Scots. After Mary was defeated the Ramsays acknowledged her son as James VI of Scotland and the Ramsays were later rewarded for saving that monarch's life.

One of Nicolas's grandsons was John Ramsay who in 1600 killed both the Ruthven, Earl of Gowrie and his brother who were allegedly attempting to kidnap the king. This became known as the Gowrie Conspiracy. For saving the king, John Ramsay was created Earl of Holderness.

17th century and Civil War

In 1618, the Earl of Holderness's brother, George Ramsay, was created Lord Ramsay. His eldest son, William Ramsay, opposed the religious politics of Charles I. During the Civil War, William raised a regiment of cavalry and fought at the Battle of Marston Moor. He was also part of Sir David Leslie's force at the Battle of Philiphaugh where the Marquis of Montrose was defeated. Ramsay had been created Earl of Dalhousie in 1633.

In 1666 Sir Gilbert Ramsay of Bamff, descended from Neis de Ramsay, physician to Alexander II of Scotland around 1232, was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia.

18th and 19th centuries

Brechin Castle circa 1880.
Dalhousie Castle.

The Ramsays served in all the great campaigns of the 18th and 19th centuries on the continent, in Canada, and in India. George Ramsay, 9th Earl of Dalhousie was Governor General of British North America from 1819 to 1828. He was also commander-in-chief of India from 1829 to 1832. His son was James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie who also served as Governor General of India, from 1847 to 1856. In 1849 he was created Marquess of Dalhousie but this title died with him in 1860. However the older earldom passed to a cousin from whom the present Earl descends.

Other branches of the family have also produced persons of distinction and rank. Alexander Ramsay, the younger son of the Arthur George Maule Ramsay, 14th Earl of Dalhousie married Princess Patricia of Connaught who was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria. Their son was Alexander Ramsay of Mar and his wife, the Lady Saltoun, chief of the Clan Fraser, are members of the royal family, by the Queen's personal wish.

Sir John Ramsay of Balmain was created Lord Bothwell in 1485. However he forfeited that title for treason in 1488 and it was later granted to the Clan Hepburn. The Ramsays of Balmain restored their fortunes by being created s, first in 1625 and again in 1806.

Other achievements

Fighting was not the only talent of this family. Andrew Ramsay, better known as the Chevalier de Ramsay, left Scotland for France in 1708. His academic excellence was soon recognized, and he became mentor to the Prince de Turenne. The King of France appointed him a Knight of the Order of Saint Lazarus, and for a time he was tutor to both the Jacobite princes, Charles Edward Stuart and Henry Benedict Stuart. Allan Ramsay, the great 18th century poet, and his son, the distinguished portrait painter, were descended from the Clan Lairds of Cockpen, cadets of the chiefly house. Raymond Ramsay is a well-known 20th-century historian. Raymond was born in Manitoba and he is author of some books and articles about great Norman explorers of America. Raymond Ramsay wrote about Vinland and Norumbega etc. In 1972, Dalhousie Castle was converted to a hotel, and the clan seat became Brechin Castle in Angus.

One of the world's most successful chefs, Gordon Ramsay, belongs to the clan.

Tristen Ramsay, (the gamer) also belongs to this clan.

Castles

Clan profile

Chief

The current chief of Clan Ramsay is James Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie.

Symbols

Clan members may show their allegiance to their clan by wearing a crest badge and clan badge. Crest badges usually contain the chief's heraldic crest and motto which are encircled by a strap and buckle. The crest and motto within the badge are the heraldic property of the clan chief alone. By wearing such crest badges, clan members show their allegiance to their chief. The crest badge suitable for a member of Clan Ramsay contains the crest: A unicorn's head couped Argent armed Or, and the motto ORA ET LABORA (from Latin: "pray and work"). Another clan symbol is the clan badge, or plant badge. These badges consist merely of sprigs of a specific plant, sometimes worn behind the crest badge on a bonnet. The clan badge of Clan Ramsay is Blue Harebell.

The most popular of the tartans attributed to the surname Ramsay is derived from one titled Ramsey in the Vestiarium Scoticum published in 1842. Though the Vestiarium has been proven to be a Victorian era hoax many of today's clan tartans are derived from it. The Vestiarium provides both an illustrative plate, and a written description of the sett, however the plate and description contradict each other.

See also

References

  1. ^ Clan Ramsay Profile scotclans.com. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  2. ^ Way, George and Squire, Romily. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. (Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 298 – 299.
  3. "Clan Ramsay". Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2010.
  4. Guthrie, William (1767). A General History of Scotland. Vol. 4. Paternoster Row, London: A. Hamilton, Robinson and Roberts. pp. 371-372. Retrieved 8 May 2023.

External links

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