Clan Kerr

Clan Kerr
Cearr, MacGhillechearr
Crest: The sun in his splendour Or
Motto	Sero sed serio (Late but in earnest)
Slogan	Late but in Earnest
Profile
District	Scottish Borders
Plant badge	Bog Myrtle
Chief
The Most Hon. Michael Kerr
The 13th Marquess of Lothian
Seat	Ferniehirst Castle
Septs of Clan Kerr Kear, Carr(e), Cares, Carrach, Cessford, Kar(e), Karr, Ker, Mac Ghiolla Cheara, Kier, Keir, Linton,Herriott
Clan branches Kerr of Ferniehurst (chiefs) (Marquess of Lothian) Ker of Cessford (senior cadets) (Duke of Roxburghe) Kerr of Linton Ker of Kersland
Allied clans Clan Leslie
Rival clans Clan Scott Clan Heron

Clan Kerr ⁱ/kɛər/ is a Scottish clan whose origins lie in the Scottish Borders. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the prominent border reiver clans along the present-day Anglo-Scottish border and played an important role in the history of the Border country of Scotland.

The name Kerr is rendered in various forms such as Kerr, Ker, Carr, Carre, and Cares. The name stems from the Old Norse kjarr which means marsh dweller, and came to Scotland from Normandy, the French settlement of the Norsemen. Another variant is found on the west coast of Scotland, particularly on the Isle of Arran, taken from the Gaelic ciar, meaning dusky. Family tradition asserts the Norman origin for the chiefs comes from two brothers, Ralph and Robert (also called John), who came to Roxburgh from Lancashire. It has never been confirmed who was the elder, although the senior branch of the family, the Kerrs of Ferniehurst claim descent from Ralph, while their rivals, the Kerrs of Cessford, descended from John.