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SCOTTISH CLAN TATTOO DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - MURRAY

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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> Murray

Murray Clan Tattoos - The progenitor of this family was Freskin, who flourished in the 12th century. While it has been claimed that he may have been a Pict, it is more likely that he was a Flemish knight, one of the many of that bellicose and ruthless group of warlords who were employed by the Norman kings to pacify their new realm of England after the Conquest. David I, who had been brought up at the English court, sought to employ such men to help him hold the wilder parts of his kingdom, and he granted lands in West Lothian to Freskin.

The ancient Pictish kingdom of Moray, in Gaelic,'Moireabh', was also given to Freskin, to put an end to the remnants of the old royal house. In a series of politically astute moves, he and his sons inter-married with the house of Moray to consolidate their power.

There seems little doubt that Pictish royal blood flowed in the Freskin's descendents, and the lines descending from Freskin are linked heraldically by the use of the three stars and the colour blue and silver in some fashion on their coats of arms. The Earls of Sutherland descend from what is thought to be Freskins eldest son. In charters, Freskin's other descendents were designated 'de Moravia', and this in Lowland Scots, became 'Murray'.

Sir Walter Murray, who became Lord of Bothwell in Clydesdale through marriage to an Oliphant heiress, was one of the Regents of Scotland in 1255. He started construction on Bothwell Castle, which was to become one of the most powerful and visually striking strongholds in Scotland. It was the seat of the chiefs until 1360, when it passed into possession of the Douglases. The third Murray Lord of Bothwell died a prisoner in the Tower of London, whereupon his heir, Sir Andrew Murray, took up the cause of Scottish independence and rose against Edward I of England in 1297.

Clan Murray Motto: Furth Fortune And Fill The Fetters

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

Murray Clan badge tattoos Murray tartan

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Scottish Tattoo Designs >> Murray

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