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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> MacFie

MacFie Clan Tattoos - In modern Gaelic this name is written as 'Maca'phi'. It is usually rendered in English, Macfie or Macphee or Macafie. The name appears to be derived from 'MacDhuibhshith', meaning the son of the dark fairy'. The origin of the name has been lost in the mists of time. In many countries the remnants of the name have been conferred with mystic powers. Tradition asserts that the Macfies are descended from a seal-woman who had been prevented form returning to the sea. In 1164 Duibhshith was known to heve been 'ferleighinn', or 'reader', at Iona when Malcolm IV was king.

The Macphees of Colonsay were hereditary keepers of the records of Man and the Isles. Ther is little or no trace of these records, which may have been kept at Tynwald, still the seat of the Manx Parliament. One charter which does exist is evidence of the fact that the Lord of the Isles did conduct their business in the ancient Celtic tongue as well as clerical Latin.

This established the legal claim of the Scots Crown to control of the island kingdoms, a policy which was to be ruthlessly enforced by James IV. In 1615 Malcolm Macphee of Colonsay joined Sir James Macdonald, chief of the Macdonalds, in the southern islands in his rebellion against the Earl of Argyll.

Clan MacFie Motto: Pro Rege
From Latin: For The King

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