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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> Irvine

Irvine Clan Tattoos - Erewine and Erewinne are old English personal names, and Gilchrist, son of Erwini, witnessed a charter of the Lord of Galloway sometime between 1124 and 1165. The Brythonic 'ir-afon' means 'green water'. The lands which first bore the name of Irvine appear to have been in Dumfriesshire.

Family tradition asserts that the origin of the chiefly family is linked with the early Celtic monarchs of Scotland. Duncan Eryvine, whose eldest son settled at Bonshaw, was the brother of Crinan, who through the Abbots of Dunkeld, claimed descend from the High Kings of Ireland. Crinan married the daughter and heiress of Malcolm II, and their eldest son became King Duncan, whose murder forms the basis for Shakespeare's Macbeth. William de Irwin was a neighbour of the Bruces, whose seat was at Lochmaben near Bonshaw. It is not surprising that the family supported their powerful neighbours and de Irwin became armour bearer and, later secretary to King Robert. As a reward for twenty years of faithful service, William de Irwin was granted the royal forest of Drum in Aberdeenshire, which was thereafter to become the chief seat of the family.

The third Laird of Drum, the first of twelve Irvines who successively bore the name Alexander, was a knight of almost legendary prowess who followed the Earl of Mar to the French wars. He later fought at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. This battle marked the last challenge by the Lords of the Isles to royal authority, and was fought only twenty miles from Drum itself.

Clan Irvine Motto: Sub Sole Sub Umbra Virens
From Latin: Vigorous both under the sun and shade

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

 

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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> Irvine

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