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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> MacRae

MacRae Clan Tattoos This Celtic name stems from the Gaelic, 'sons of Grace'. The Macraes were most numerous around Kintail in Wester Ross, where they appear to have become supporters of the Mackenzies. Duncan Macrae was a constable of Eilean Donan Castle and acquired for himself the lands of Inverinate. The MacRaes were so fierce in their adherence to their Mackenzie overlords that they became known as 'Mackenzie's shirt of mail'. In 1539 the Macdonalds, under Donald Grumach, fourth of Sleat, besieged Eillean Doan Castle as part of their attempt to revive the shattered Lordship of the Isles. Macrae is credited with slaying the Macdonald chief with an arrow , bringing the siege to an end. The fortunes of the Mackenzie's prospered and they obtained for themselves the title, 'Earl of Seaforth'.

Lieutenant Colonel John Macrae, born in 1861 served in the Black Watch, and was both deputy keeper of the Place of Holyrood and a member of the Royal Company of Archers (bodyguard of the monarch in Scotland). Colonel Sir Colin Macrae of Feoilinn. Who was knighted in 1935, served with distinction throughout the Boer War and was not only a member of the Royal Company of Archers, but also a lieutenant in the bodyguard of the English monarch, the Yeoman of the Guard.

Clan MacRae Motto: Fortitudine
From Latin: With Fortitude

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