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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> Davidson

Davidson Clan Tattoos - The earliest reference to the Davidsons, or Clan Dhai, of Badenoch is in the Macintosh family history account in Macfarlane's Genealogical Collections (MGC) published in the 18th century. It tells that David, from whom the clan was named, was a son of Slane, daughter of Angus, 6th Laird of Macin-tosh and Eva Gilliechattan who was the only daughter of the last Gilliechattan chief. David lived in the early part of the 14th century at Nuide near Ruthven and Newtonmore, Inverness-shire. Clan Dhai was then a most numerous clan and bonded with Clan Macintosh, the leading clan in the Calnchattan confederacy.

From another source, David's father was said to be one Donald, of which Macfarlane's account is strangely silent. Otherwise it is usually explicit about the origin of named characters. The family history of the Bruces and Cummings list a Donald Comyn in Badenoch on or about the time of Slane's marriage, and relates that Donald's elder brother, Gilbert, was succeeded by a nephew, David. Ruthven Castle and upper Speyside was Comyn country before and even after the Wars of Independence. Innes of Learney quoted Macintosh of Kinrarra, a 17th century historian, that the 'Davidsons were of Comyn origin', but an ongoing study of his account by a present day scholar has so far not located the quotation.

Clan Davidson Motto: Sapienter Si Sincere ~ From Latin: Wisely if sincerely

See also: Claddagh, Thistle Tattoos, Scottish Lion Tattoo Designs, Welsh Dragon Tattoos, Scottish Tattoo Designs, Celtic Tattoo Designs, Family Crests