Clan Matheson
| Clan Matheson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Clann Mhathain | |||
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| Motto | Fac et spera (Do and hope) | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Scottish Highlands | ||
| District | Lochalsh, Sutherland | ||
| Plant badge | Broom | ||
| Chief | |||
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| Sir Alexander Fergus Matheson of Matheson | |||
| The 8th baronet of Lochalsh | |||
| Historic seat | Fort Matheson, at Loch Achaidh na h-Inich | ||
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Clan Matheson (Scottish Gaelic: Clann Mhathain [ˈkʰl̪ˠãũn̪ˠ ˈvãhɛn]) is a Highland Scottish clan.
The surname Matheson (Scottish Gaelic: MacMhathain [maxkˈvãhɛn]) has more than one anglicization of its Scottish Gaelic derivation. The historian Black attributes Matheson to the Gaelic Mic Mhathghamhuin which means son of the bear, and the clan chief's arms carry two bears as supporters. It has also been suggested that MacMhathain means son of the heroes. The Scottish Lowland version of Matheson means simply son of Matthew.
The Mathesons were granted lands by the Celtic Earls of Ross and settled around Loch Alsh, Lochcarron and Kintail. In 1262 a Scottish army led by Alexander III of Scotland invaded the Isle of Skye in order to free the isles from the kings of Norway and one of the leaders of this expedition is recorded as Kjarnac or Cormac Macmaghan. Following the Battle of Largs in 1263 the Western Isles came to be dominated by the Clan Donald whose chiefs were the Lords of the Isles and the Clan Matheson sided with them.
In 1411 the Clan Matheson fought for Domhnall of Islay, Lord of the Isles at the Battle of Harlaw where the clan chief, Alasdair was captured. The Clan Matheson was then said to have numbered over two thousand warriors.Macmaken supported Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross who was suspected of treason by James I of Scotland. As a result, the earl was seized by the king at Inverness in 1427. Matheson was also arrested by the king, and was executed.
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