Clans

Clan MacKenzie

Honored Clan for the 2021 Games

For centuries, the chiefs of the Clan Mackenzie ruled their lands from their formidable castle stronghold on the island of Eilean Donan. Today the restored castle, which is reached by a bridge from the mainland, is one of the most-photographed and well known places in Scotland. The castle may have been the clan’s reward for helping to defeat the invading Norsemen at the Battle of Largs in 1263. The clan lands ultimately including large areas of Wester and Easter Ross, including areas of stunning scenic beautify such as Kintail, Torridon, Applecross and Assynt.

The clan grew in power and by the 14th century Wars of Scottish Independence it was a force to be reckoned with. According to tradition Clan Mackenzie was one of the clans who fought with Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Inverurie (1308) against Clan Comyn, who were rivals to the Scottish throne. At the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, Chief Iain Mac Coinnich was said to have led a force of five hundred Mackenzies to help defeat the English army.

During the 15th and 16th centuries the Mackenzies feuded with the neighbouring clans of Munro and MacDonald. In the early 17th century they took advantage of MacLeod feuds to acquire the Isle of Lewis, and the Mackenzie chief was made Earl of Seaforth. During the Jacobite risings of 1715 and 1719 the chief and clan of Mackenzie supported the Jacobite cause. However, during the Jacobite rising of 1745 the clan was divided with the chief, Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose, supporting the British-Hanoverian Government and his relative, George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie, supporting the Jacobites.

The surname Mackenzie is MacCoinneach in Scottish Gaelic which means ‘son of the fair bright one’.

The Clan Mackenzie Society in the United States, Inc. was incorporated in February 1988. Its organization was based on an idea and dream of Gibson R McKenzie. He first presented his idea to a group of MacKenzies at Grandfather Mountain in 1974.

Registered Clans

Clan Chisholm

Clan Davidson Society, NA

Clan Fraser Society of North America

Clan Henderson Society

Clan Lindsay USA

Clan MacLean

Clan MacNeil

Clan Nesbitt / Nisbet Society of North America

Clan Sutherland Society of North America