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 SUCCESS NOURISHES HOPE Clan Crest © Art Pewter Silver Ltd, East Kilbride, Scotland |
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The Clan Ross derives from the ancient Celtic word “Ros”, meaning “a promontory”, in this case the lands of Easter Ross. The clan is known to Highlanders as Clann Aindreas - the sons of Andrew. The clan is believed to be descended from Gilleon na h-airde, ancestor of Anrias, whose descendant Fearcher Mac-an-t-Sagairt, “Son of the Priest” helped crush a rebellion for the crown in 1215. For his services he was knighted and recognized as the Earl of Ross in 1234. This title in turn gave its possessors great authority and power in the North of Scotland. His grandson William fought at the Battle of Bannockburn and Hugh, the 5th Earl, was killed at the Battle of Halidon Hill in 1333.
The last chief of the clan Ross to hold the earldom died in 1372, having fathered no sons. His daughter tried to claim the earldom, but it passed to the MacDonalds of the Isles and subsequently into the hands of the crown in 1476. From the 15th to the 16th century, the Rosses were preoccupied with a feud against the Mackays of Strathnaver, culminating in the Battle of Blar Ault an Charish on the River Carran in July 1486, when Alexander 6th of Balnagowan and 17 of his clan were killed. David Ross, 12th of Balnagowan fought for Charles I at Worcester and died a prisoner in London in 1653. His son David supported William and Mary and was the last of the direct line. During the Jacobite rebellions the Rosses supported the government.
The once proud Ross estate of Balnagowan became heavily burdened by debt in the 18th century and it was purchased by a lowland branch of the Ross family who, although bearing the family name, were genealogically complete strangers to the Celtic Earls of Ross. The Rosses are distinguished by having possibly the most important American connections of any Scots clan and took prominent roles in key episodes of American history. Many other Rosses have also achieved distinction in Canada and in Prussia, where the Counts von Ross were famous soldiers. In the early 20th century the chiefship of the clan Ross was restored to the true line. |