Clan Mackie

Crest badge derived from the arms of Mackie of Larg. The crest within is blazoned A raven Proper and the motto is LABORA (Latin for "endeavour").

Coat of arms of the Mackie of Larg, the last known chief of Mackie

Clan Mackie is a Lowland Scottish clan. The clan does not have a chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms therefore the clan has no standing under Scots Law. Clan Mackie is considered an armigerous clan, meaning that it is considered to have had at one time a recognised chief, or a chief who possessed the chiefly arms of the name, however no one at present is in possession of such arms.

Origins

The clan-name Mackie is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Aodha, meaning "son of Aodh".^[1] The Gaelic personal name Aodh is an old one and means "fire".^[2]

History

Clan Mackie was a prominent Galwegien family in the 16th and early 17th centuries. The Mackies of Larg were the principal family of the clan. At the beginning of the 17th century, Sir Patrick Mackie of Larg was one the original fifty Scottish undertakers of the plantation of Ulster. About 1,000 acres (4.05 km²; 1.56 sq mi) of his lands, near Donegal, were however later taken over by John, earl of Annandale. The Mackies of Larg acquired the lands of Bargaly in Kirkcudbrightshire and Auchencairn near Castle Douglas. Today there are still Mackies in Kirkcudbright.^[3]

Symbols

The arms of Mackie of Larg is blazoned Argent, two ravens pendant from an arrow fessways piercing their necks Proper, on a chief Azure a lion passant of the Field armed and langued Gules. The origin of these arms is explained by tradition. Mackie of Larg was to have been in the company of Robert II and was boasting of his prowess in the skill of archery. The king of Scots, growing weary of this, pointed out two ravens on a distant tree and asked Mackie of Larg to prove his boasts. However, much to the chagrin of the king Mackie of Larg skewered both ravens with his arrow. Tradition goes on to state that because of his feat Mackie of Larg was granted the right to bear on his shield two ravens pierced by an arrow through their neck, together with a lion which alluded to the king.

See also

• Mackie (disambiguation)
• Clan Mackay, a separate Scottish clan which also derives its name from the Gaelic Aodh

References

1. ^ "Mackie Name Meaning and History". Ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com/facts/mackie-family-history.ashx. Retrieved 5 February 2009. 
2. ^ "McKay Name Meaning and History". Ancestry.com. http://www.ancestry.com/facts/McKay-family-history.ashx. Retrieved 5 February 2009. 
3. ^ "Mackie". www.myclan.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070319210727/www.myclan.com/clans/Mackie_257/default.php. Retrieved 5 February 2009.