Clan Hannay
| Clan Hannay | |||
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Crest: A cross crosslet fitchee issuing out of a crescent Sable
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| Motto | Per Ardua Ad Alta (Through difficulties to Heaven) | ||
| Profile | |||
| Plant badge | Periwinkle | ||
| Chief | |||
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| Dr. David R Hannay | |||
| Chief of the name and arms of Hannay | |||
| Historic seat | Sorbie Tower | ||
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Clan Hannay is a Lowland Scottish clan.
The Hannays are from the ancient princedom of Galloway. The name appears to have originally been spelt Ahannay but its origin is uncertain. It could derive from the Scottish Gaelic O'Hannaidh or Ap Shenaeigh.
In 1296 Gilbert de Hannethe appears on the Ragman Rolls submitting to Edward I of England. This could be the same Gilbert who acquired the lands of Sorbie. The Hannays were suspicious of Robert the Bruce's ambitions and instead supported the claim of John Balliol. Balliol was descended from the Celtic Princes of Galloway through his mother, Lady Devorgilla.
In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries the Hannays extended their influence over the surrounding area including the building of Sorbie Tower which remained the seat of the Clan Chief until the seventeenth century.
At the beginning of the 17th century the Clan Hannay was locked in a deadly feud with the Clan Murray of Broughton. It resulted in the Hannays being outlawed. The consequences of this were that many Hannays emigrated to Ulster, where the name is still found in large numbers in County Antrim, County Down and County Armagh.
Patrick Hannay had a distinguished military career and was patronised by Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia, daughter of James VI of Scotland and sister of Charles I of England. After the death of Queen Anne who was the wife of James VI in 1619 Patrick Hannay composed two eulogies and in return had many published on his own death, one of which said: 'Go on in virtue, aftertimes will tell, none but Hannay could have done so well'.
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