FIRST GENERATION

1. George McKinlay was born in 1824 in Dunfermline, Fife Scotland. He was a Coal Miner in 1865. He was a Linen Packer in 1881 in Fife, Dunfermline. He was living in 1881 in 61 Priory Lane, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland.

He was married to Mary S Hamilton in 1839.

There can be little doubt the county of this clan was the Lennox district, where we find them yet in considerable numbers. The oldest account of them is given by Buchanan of Auchmar, 1723. He asserts the chief sept of the Lennox MacKinlays descends from Buchanan of Drumikill.

After mentioning that the Risks are the first cadets of the Drumikill family, he says: "The second cadets of this kin are the Mackinlays, so named from a son of Drumikill called Finlay; those lately in Blairnyle and about Balloch are of this sort, as also those in Bamachra and above the Water of Finn, in Luss parish. The Mackinlays in some other parts of these parishes are MacFarlanes.

Like so many Lennox clans, notably their far-off cousins of the Clan MacAuslane, some of the Mackinlays no doubt went over to Ireland at the time of the "plantations" in the 17th century. Hence come the Mackinlays and Macginlays of Ireland and latterly of America.

it is a common mistake to regard the clan ancestor as Fionnlagh Mor, progenitor of the Farquharsons of Braemar. The Farquharsons as a clan are called in Gaelic Clann Fhionnlaigh but the surname MacFhionnlaigh has never come to be used in English form. In fact, the surname has been constantly Farquharson, and there were no Mackinlays at all in Braemar or its vicinity.

The small clan Finlayson of Lochalsh are known in Gaelic as Clann Fhionnlaigh, and they, too, claim a traditional descent from the Clan Finlay of Braemar. It is probable the name Mackinlay embraces some of the Macleay clan. Some of the modern Mackinlays insist on accenting the "lay" of the name.

The name MacKinlay comes from the Gaelic form of Findlayson meaning "son of Findlay" or MacFhionnlaigh. The name is not common despite being distinctively Scottish but is also to be found as MacGinlay in county Antrim in Northern Ireland and later in North America. The clan county of the MacKinlays was the Lennox district, north of Callender and they descended originally from Findlay a son of Buchanan of Drumikill. According to Buchanan of Auchmar some of the MacKinlays were also connected to the MacFarlanes. It is possible that some of the MacKinlays came from the same stock of the MacKinlays as the Farquharsons of Braemar, as the clan ancestor was Fionnlagh Mor and as a clan are called in Gaelic "Clann Fhionnlaigh" (This cannot be substantiated because there were no MacKinlays in Braemar or its vicinity). There are several spellings of the name that appeared in the 17th century especially in Glenlyon and Balquidder. Although it has been suggested it is not very probable that the name MacKinlay embraces some of the MacLeays "sons of Donleavy" with its variants the same as the MacKinlays; Findlay, Finlayson, Donleavy and Macinlay. The MacKinlays have been connected to the Farquharsons, the Buchanans and sometimes the Stewarts of Appin. From the MacKinlays descends William McKinley (1843-1901), the 25th President of the United States of America who also gave his name to Mount McKinley in Alaska.


The tartan kilt has long been the most recognisable cultural tradition of the Highland Scots. Therefore, it suprises most people that many of the most recognisable features and traditions associated with the wearing of the kilt have, in fact, been developed in the nineteenth century, not by Scottish Highlanders, but by the Nobles of England and Scotland.


There is much evidence that many of the more recognisable tartans seen today are in fact creations of Scottish and English tailors during the reign of Queen Victoria. Despite this, it has generally been accepted that the basic concepts of the tartan and the wearing of the kilt do indeed have their origin in the history of the early Scottish and Irish clans, or families. It has been demonstrated that certain clans did aspire to a certain uniformity of design for their garments as early as the tenth and eleventh centuries.


The kilt, or philabeg to use its older Gaelic name, that has now become the standard dress for all "Highlanders", has its origin in an older garment called the belted plaid. The Gaelic word for tartan is breacan, menaing partially colored or speckled, and every tartan today features a multicolored arrangement of stripes and checks. These patterns, or sett's, are used to identify the clan, family, or regiment with which the wearer is associated. Although the kilt is the most recognisable of the tartans, it also manifests itself in the form of trews (trousers), shawls, and skirts.


It is generally recognised that the first tartans were the result of individual weavers own designs, then were slowly adopted to identify individual districts, then finally clans and families. The first recognisable effort to enforce uniformity throughout an entire clan was in 1618, when Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstown, wrote to Murry of Pulrossie requesting that he bring the plaids worn by his men into "harmony with that of his other septs."


After the rising of 1715, the Government found the need to enforce stricter policing of the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. A number of independent companies wre formed to curtail the lawlessness that had developed. One of the features that distinguished their recruits were the large number of highland gentlemen that enlisted and chose to serve in the private ranks. Many an English officer was surprised to see these Scottish privates attended by personal servants who carried their food, clothing, and weapons. From the time they were first raised, these independent regiments became known as the Black Watch, in reference to the darkly colored tartans they were known to wear.


One of the more famous tales of these Highland companies is told of the curiosity of King George, who had never seen a Highland soldier. Three handsome privates wre chosen and dispatched to London to be presented to the King. The King was so impressed with the skill with which they wielded their broad swords and lochaber axes that he presented them each with a guinea. Nothing could be more insulting to a Highland gentleman, but they could not refuse the gift. Instead they accepted the gift, and as they left, flipped it smugly to the porter as they passed the palace gates.


In 1740, these independent companies became a fornal regiment, and the need arose to adopt a formal tartan. This became a problem, for what tartan could they choose, without insulting certain clans, or seeming to favour others? In the end, an entirely new tartan was developed and has ever since been known as the Black Watch Tartan. It was the first documented tartan to be known by an official name and possesses the authenticity of a full pedigree. From this tartan has been derived all of the Highland regimental tartan designs and many of the hunting setts worn by other clans.


During the eighteen humdreds, the wearing of the belted plaid began to be exchanged for that of the kilt. The belted plaid, being a one-piece six-foot tall cloth, belted about the waist with the remainder being worn up about the shoulder, was proving to be somewhat inconvenient to wear. A "new", little kilt design became popular, and it consisted of a plaid which had the traditional pleats permanently sewn in place, and separated the lower from the upper half, allowing the upper section to be removed when it became convenient.


By 1746, the Government, weary of being called to quell Highland uprising, enacted a law making it illegal for Highlanders to own or possess arms. A year later, the Dress Act restriced the wearing of Highland clothes. Any form of plaid, philbeag, belted plaid, trews, shoulder belt, or little kilt wre not to be worn in public. Punishment for a first offence was a six-month imprisonment, a second offence earned the wearer a seven-year exile to an oversea work farm. Even the Bagpipes were outlawed, being considered an instrument of war. Only those individuals in the army were permitted to wear the plaid, and as a result, it is told that many Highlanders enlisted simply to be allowed to wear their more comfortable traditional dress.


By the time the Dress Act was repealed in 1783, the fabric of Celtic life had been forever altered. The Dress Act had succeeded in altering Highland Society to the extent that many of the old traditions and customs had been lost forever. In spite of the many efforts to revive the traditions, wearing the plaid had become seen as only a nationalistic statement, and was no longer considered a way of life for Highlanders.


The plaid now became more of a fashion experiment for the elite of English society. Whti the advent of the industrial revolution, the precise manufacturing and replication made possible by machinery, allowed the mass reproduction of the plaid.


Clan Septs and Dependents comprise those who were descended from the Chief through the female line and consequently bore a different surname; and those who sought and obtained the protection of the Clan and became dependents. Anyone who has an ancestor bearing a Sept name, or the Clan name itself, has the privilege of wearing or displaying the Crest Badge and the tartan of the clan.


Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Or, a lion rampant Gules, armed and langued Azure (for Farquhar Shaw, descended from MacDuff, Earl of Fife); 2nd and 3rd, Argent, a fir tree growing out of a mount in base Vert, seeded Proper, on a chief Gules the Banner of Scotland displayed Or, and a canton of the First charged with a dexter hand couped at the wrist fessways holding a dagger point downwards of the Third
Badge: The upper half of a lion rampant, with sword in his paw.
Crest: On a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, a demi-lion Gules holding in his dexter paw a sword Proper
Motto: Fide et fortitudine (By fidelity and fortitude)
Plant Badge: Red Whortleberry, Scots Fir
Gaelic Name: MacFhearchair
Tartan: Farquharson, Ancient Farquharson, Hunting Farquharson
Septs: Barrie, Bowman, Brebner, Christie, Christison, Christy, Coates, Coats, Coutts, Cromar, Farquhar, Ferries, Findlay, Findlayson, Findlaison, Finlay, Finlayson, Gracie, Grassick, Greusach, Hardie, Hardy, Kellas, Kerracher, Leys, Lyon, MacArtney, MacGaig, MacCartney, MacCuaig, MacEaracher, MacErcher, MacErracher, MacFarquhar, MacHardie, MacHardy, MacKerchar, MacKerracher, MacKindlay, MacKinlay, MacKinley, Paterson, Patterson, Reiach, Reoch, Riach, Tawse.
Clan Farquharson, of Celtic origin, derives from Farquhar, fourth son of Alexander Ciar, 3rd Shaw of Rothiemurchus. A grant of arms made by Lord Lyon in 1697 stated that John Farquharson of Invercauld was lawfully descended of Shaw son of MacDuff, Thane of Fife whose successors had the name Shaw until Farquhar Shaw, son to Shaw of Rothiemerchus, Chief of the whole name came to be called Farquharson. Thus the Farquharsons branched from Clan Shaw. Farquhar, who lived in the reign of James III, settled in the Braes of Mar and was appointed baillie or hereditary Chamberlain thereof.
It was Donald Farquharson, 4th Chief, who married Isobel Stewart, heiress of Invercauld and their son Finlay Mór, 1st of the House of Farquharson of Invercauld, and 5th Chief, who gave to the Farquharson Chiefs their style MacFionnlaidh (siol Fhionnlaidh or descendents of Finlay).

At the age of 60, Finlay Mòr accompanied the Earl of Huntly to the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 as the Royal Standard Bearer. As the army descended toward the sea he was killed by a cannon ball fired from one of the enemy ships. His body lies interred in the church yard of Inveresk. The place is known to this day as the "Lang Highlandman's Grave." His widow, Beatrix Garden, also has a claim to remembrance having been an outstanding performer on the little harp or clásach. Queen Mary presented one of these instruments to her and this instrument is now preserved in the National Museum of Antiquities as one of two surviving examples of the musical instrument which Celtic Scotland shared with Ireland before the music of the bagpipe had achieved its full popularity and sophistication.

The Farquharsons having moved onto their Deeside inheritance became vassels of the Earldom of Mar. In the early 17th century they were able to purchase feu charters to their lands and after the attainder of the Earl of Mar, who led the Jacobite rising of 1715, they held these directly of the Crown. Today the Castle of Braemar, which was built in 1628 by James Erskin, Earl of Mar, is owned by Captain Alwyne A. C. Farquharson.

Clan Farquharson were among the most loyal and faithful adherents to the House of Stewart and throughout all the struggles on its behalf constantly acted in accordance with their motto, "Fide et Fortitudine". They fought under Montrose in 1644 and formed part of the Scottish army under Charles II at Worcester in 1651. They joined forces under the Viscount of Dundee in 1689 for James VII. At the outbreak of rebellion in 1715 against the Act of Union they were the first to muster at the summons of the Earl of Mar in the cause of James VIII. At this time John Farquharson of Invercauld with four officers and one hundred and forty men joined the Clan Chattan regiment, of which he was Lieutenant-Colonel, accompanying it to England. When first threatened the Frquharsons marched out of Preston to Ribble-bridge to attack the English army but were ordered to rejoin the main body. At the subsequent Battle of Sheriffmuir the Scottish army was defeated at Preston and John Farquharson was taken prisoner and held for ten months in the Marchalsea prison in London. In 1745 the Farquharsons joined Prince Charles and formed two battalions, one under Francis Farquharson of Monaltrie, "the Baron Ban", with 300 men and the other under Farquharson of balmoral. In the Battle of Culloden, April 16, 1746 they occupied the centre of the line of battle with Clan Chattan along with the Camerons, Macleans and MacLachlans.

John Farquarson of Invercauld, 9th Chief, died in 1750 and was succeeded by his son James, 10th Chief, a Captain of Foot in the Hanoverian Army, who died in 1805. His only surviving child Catherine, by virtue of the Lyon Court Decree, 1815, assigning the chief arms and supporters, was head of the ventral or "stem" family of Farquharson of Invercauld and so was Chief of the Clan. She married captain James Ross, Royal Navy, who took the name Farquharson. She was succeeded by her son, James, who was succeeded by Alexander Haldane Farquharson of Invercauld, who died in 1936. His daughter, Mrs. Myrtle Farquharson of Invercauld was confirmed Chief by Lyon Court Decree on December 3, 1936. She, unfortunately, was killed in an air-raid in 1940. The succession then passed to her nephew the present and 16th Chief of Clan Farquharson. Captain Alwyne Arthur Compton Farquharson of Invercauld was by Lyon Court in 1949 confirmed MacFionnlaidh. He served with distinction as a Captain in the Royal Scots Greys during World War Two. He resides at Invercauld Castle in Braemar on Royal Deeside. The Farquharson estate covers about 200,000 acres of forest and moor in the Grampian region in Aberdeenshire.

Or, a lion rampant Sable, armed and langued Gules, within a double tressure flory counterflory of the Second
Badge: A hand holding a tasselled cap
Branches: Arnprior, Auchmar, Carbeth, Leny, Spital.
Tartans: Buchanan, Buchanan Hunting, Buchanan Old.
Mottos: Audaces juvo (Latin: I help the brave); Clarior hinc honos (Latin: Brighter the honour hence).
Slogan: Clar Innis (Clairinch, an island in Loch Lomond).
Septs: Colman, Cormack, Cousland, Dewar, Dove, Dow, Gibb, Gibbon, Gibson, Gilbert, Gilbertson, Harper, Harperson, Leavy, Lennie, Lenny, MacAldonich, MacAlman, MacAslan, MacAslin, MacAuselan, MacAuslan, MacAusland, MacAuslane, MacAlman, MacAlmont, MacAmmond, MacAsland, MacChruiter, MacColman, MacCormack, MacCubbin, MacxCubbing, MacCubin, MacGeorge, MacGibbon, MacGreuisich, MacGubbin, MacInally, MacIndeor, MacIndoe, MacKinlay, MacKinley, MacMaster, MacMaurice, MacMurchie, MacMurchy, MacNeur, MacNuir, MacNuyer, MacQuattie, MacWattie, MacWhirter, Masters, Masterson, Morrice, Morris, Morrison, Murchie, Murchison, Richardson, Risk, Rusk, Ruskin, Spittal, Spittel, Walter, Walters, Wason, Waters, Watson, Watt, Watters, Weir, Yuill, Yool, Yule, Zuill.
The earliest family of this name came from the shores of Loch Lomond, which were granted by the Earls of Lennox to one Absalon around 1225. Absalon may have been a clergyman or from one of those families dedicated to the service of the ancient Celtic Church. Morris of Buchanan received a charter in 1282, confirming him in his lands with baronial rights. He also held the small island of Clarinch, the name of which was afterwards to become the battle-cry of the clan.
During the War of Independence, The Buchanans supported the cause of Bruce which assured the fortunes of the family. Sir Alexander Buchanan fought for the French against Henry V of England, and fought at the Battle of Beauge in Normandy in March 1421. His exploits during this battle are given as one explanation for the heraldry of the family. It's thought that Sir Alexander killed the Duke of Clarence and took his coronet as a trophy, this is the reason for the ducal cap held aloft in the crest. The shield differenced only by changing the lion and the double tressure of fleurs de lis from red to black. This is said to allude to the marriage of Sir Walter Buchanan to the only daughter of Murdoch, Duke of Albany and Regent of Scotland. His estates were confiscated in 1425, and the regent was ultimately beheaded by his cousin, James I. His son had died childless and the Buchanans were the nearest relatives to this disinherited branch of the royal family. The arms are said to mourn the family's loss of status.

The Buchanans of Arnprior, who held lands in Perthshire around Kippen, are also descended from the chiefly family. The Lairds of Arnprior lived in some style and were nicknamed the 'kings of Kippen'. James V was fond of travelling in disguise, using a name known only to his close friends and attendants. When the king arrived at Arnprior, a grim retainer met him and advised him that the laird was having dinner and was not to be disturbed. The king asked him to tell the king of Kippen that 'the Goodman of Ballengeich is come to feast'. When Buchanan heard this, he knew the king was at his door and he begged forgiveness. The laird was killed at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547. When the last chief died in 1682, Buchanan of Arnprior was supposed to recieve the ancient lands of Buchanan, but they were sold to meet heavy debts. The Graham Dukes of Montrose now have the mansion house of Buchanan.

Distinguished poet and protestant reformer George, is possibly the most famous Buchanan. He was born at Killearn in Stirlingshire in 1506, the third son of Buchanan of Drumikill. Around 1520, he moved to Paris to continue his education and travelled around the Continent, and began a literary career. Around 1560 he returned to Scotland and in April 1562 he was appointed tutor in classics to the young Mary, Queen of Scots. Eventhough he was in with the royals, he still made vicious attacks on the queen in his writings.

He was appointed preceptor and tutor to the young James VI after the abdication of his mother, and he is generally credited with laying the foundations for that monarch's considerable academic prowess as well, unfortunately, as poisoning the child's mind against his mother.

James Buchanan was the fifteenth president of the United States of America. There has not been a recognised chief since the seventeenth century.





Mary S Hamilton was born in 1825 in Melville, Fife, Scotland. She was living in 1881 in 61 Priory Lane, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. She was a Linen Packer in 1881 in Fife, Dunfermline. George McKinlay and Mary S Hamilton had the following children:

child+2 i. Archibald Young McKinlay.
child+3 ii. Peter Chalmers McKinlay.

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