Clan Hunter
| Clan Hunter | |
|---|---|
| Clann an t-Sealgair (clan), Mac an t-Sealgair (surname) | |
| Motto | Cursum perficio (Latin) - I have completed the course |
| Profile | |
| Region | Lowlands |
| District | Ayrshire |
| Chief | |
 |
|
| Pauline Natalie Mullen Hunter of Hunterston, | |
| Chief of the Name and Arms of Hunter and 30th Laird of Hunterston. | |
| Seat | Trearddur Bay. |
| Historic seat | Hunterston Castle. |
Clan Hunter is a Scottish clan.
A traditional ancestor of the Hunters was with Rollo, a Viking, at the sack of Paris in 896. He was appointed as a huntsman to one of Rollo's descendants. The Hunters later followed Matilda, queen of William the Conqueror, to England and as a result their name is not included amongst those who accompanied William.
It is likely that the Hunters went to Scotland with David I of Scotland upon his invitation and were given lands named Hunter's Toune.
In 1296 Aylmer le Hunter of the county of Ayr appears on the Ragman Rolls submitting to Edward I of England.
A charter signed by Robert II of Scotland on 2 May 1374 has survived that confirmed a grant of land to William Hunter for his faithful service rendered and to be rendered to us in return for a silver penny payable to the Sovereign at Hunterston on the Feast of Pentecost. To this day the Laird of Hunterston, chief of Clan Hunter keeps silver pennies, minted in the reigns of Robert II and George V in case of a royal visit on the day appointed for payment of his rent. The William Hunter who received this charter is reckoned to have been the tenth Hunter of Hunterston. In earlier records both William Hunter and Norman Hunter appear using the Latin form of the name, Venator.
The Hunters were hereditary keepers of the royal forests of Arran and Little Cumbrae by the fifteenth century. The family appear to have held this office from an early date and also claim a long descent from people who held similar offices in England and Normandy before they came to Scotland.
During the sixteenth century the Hunters rendered chiefly military service. John Hunter, the fourteenth Laird was killed with his king at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. His son was Robert who was trublit with sikness and infirmity and was excused from military service in 1542 by James V of Scotland, providing that he sent his eldest son in his place. His son was Mungo who was killed at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547.
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Wikipedia