Clan Gordon

Clan Gordon
Gòrdanach (Singular), Na Gòrdanaich (Collective)
Crest: Issuant from a crest coronet Or a stag's head (affrontée) Proper attired with ten tines Or
Motto	Bydand (abiding, steadfast, an adjectival use of the Middle Scots present participle of bide or a contraction of the Scots phrase 'Bide and Fecht,' meaning "Stay and Fight".) Animo non Astutia (By Courage not by craft)
Slogan	An Gòrdonach
Profile
Region	Highland
District	Aberdeenshire
Plant badge	Rock ivy
Pipe music	"The Gordon's March", "Cock o' the North"
Chief
The Most Hon. Granville Charles Gordon
The 13th Marquess of Huntly (An Gòrdonach)
Seat	Aboyne Castle
Historic seat	Huntly Castle
Septs of Clan Gordon Ackane, Adam(son), Ad(d)i.e., Addison, Adkins, Aiken, Aitchison, Aitken, Akane, Akins, Atkin, Atkins(on), Badenoch, Barrie, Connor, Connon, Cote, Craig, Cromb(i.e.), Cullen, Culane, Darg(e), Dorward, Duff, Durward, Eadie, Ed(d)i.e., Edison, Esslemont, Garden, Gard(i)ner, Garioch, Garr(o)ick, Geddes, Gerr(y)ie, Harrison, Haddo(w), Huntl(e)y, Jeffrey, Jessiman, Jolly, Jopp, Jupp, La(i)ng, Laurie, Lawrie, Leng, Ling, Long, MacAdam, MacGwyverdyne, Mallett, Manteach, Marr, Maver, McGonigal, Meldrum, Mill, Mills, Milles, Miln(e), Milner, Moir, More, Morrice, Muir, Milnes, Mylne, Pittendri(e)gh, Shellgren, Steel(e), Teal, Tod(d), Troup
Clan branches Gordon of Huntly (chiefs) Gordon of Aboyne Gordon of Aberdeen and Temair Gordon of Kenmure Gordon of Auchindoun Gordon of Abergeldie Gordon of Haddo Gordon of Glenbuchat Gordon of Gight Gordon of Rothiemay See also: Gordon baronets Duke of Gordon
Allied clans Clan Seton Clan Sutherland Clan Burnett
Rival clans Clan Lindsay Clan Douglas Clan Forbes Clan Leask Clan Campbell

Clan Gordon, also known as the House of Gordon, is a Scottish clan. The chief of the clan was the powerful Earl of Huntly, and now also the Marquess of Huntly.

The first Gordon on record is Richard of Gordon, previously of Swinton, said to have been the grandson of a famous knight who slew some monstrous animal in the Merse during the time of King Malcolm III of Scotland. This Richard was Lord of the Barony of Gordon in the Merse. Richard de (of) Gordon probably died in around 1200. Between 1150 and 1160 he granted from his estate a piece of land to the Monks of St. Mary at Kelso, a grant which was confirmed by his son Thomas Gordon. Other notable Gordons from this time include Bertram de Gordon who wounded King Richard of England with an arrow at Châlons.

Alicia Gordon, IV of the Gordon family was the heiress who married her cousin, Adam Gordon. Adam Gordon was a soldier who King Alexander III of Scotland sent with King Louis of France to Palestine. One tradition is that from Adam's grandson, Sir Adam, all of the Gordons in Scotland are descended.* This Adam Gordon supported Sir William Wallace in 1297 to recapture the Castle of Wigtown from the English and Adam was made the Governor.

During the Wars of Scottish Independence Sir Adam Gordon, who had supported William Wallace, renounced his subsequent acceptance of the claims of Edward I of England and became a staunch supporter of Robert the Bruce. Adam was killed leading the Clan Gordon at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333 but his son Sir Alexander Gordon escaped and was the first Gordon to be designated "of Huntly".

Chief Sir John Gordon was killed leading the clan at the Battle of Otterburn where the English were defeated in 1388. His son, Chief Sir Adam Gordon, was killed leading the clan at the Battle of Homildon Hill, also known as the Battle of Humbleton Hill on 14 September 1402. The chief left his only child, a daughter named Elizabeth Gordon who married Alexander Seton, who was the son of Sir William Seton, chief of Clan Seton.