History of the MacKenzies

The name MacKenzie or MacCoinnich  is generally taken to mean “Son of Kenneth”, and the original Kenneth, lived in the 13^th century, is said to have descended from a younger son of Gilleoin of the Aird.  The MacKenzies were without doubt of Celtic stock and were not among the clans that originated from Norman ancestors. In 1267, Kenneth was living at Eilean Donan, a stronghold at the mouth of Loch Duich.

Alexander MacKenzie of Kintail was one of the chiefs that attended the Parliament of 1427, but as he was very young at the time, James I sent him not to prison but to school at Perth, which was then one of the centers of the Court. The MacKenzies were prominent in defending the King.  As a result, the Chief obtained royal charters for his land, the earliest being in 1463.  Thirteen years later, as the result of another rebellion, the Earldome of Ross was declared forfeit to the Crown. And in the same year Alexander MacKenzie was given charters of land to be held directly from the King.

The clan country of the MacKenzies includes almost any kind of scenery and conditions to be found in Scotland. The original home of the clan was Kintail which in Gaelic means “Head of the Sea”. High hills fall steeply down to Loch Duich giving little space for cultivation. At the mouth of Loch Duich stands Eilean Donan, the original seat of Clan MacKenzie.  From Kintail the MacKenzies gradually pressed outwards. Eventually they reached the East Coast and here they found a fertile country for the soil is excellent and the climate most favorable for agriculture.

In 1609, the Chief was created Lord MacKenzie. Fourteen years later in further recognition of his power in the North, he became Earl of Seaforth, taking his title from a sea-loch in Lewis. Before the death of the first Earl of Seaforth in 1633, the fortunes of the MacKenzies, chief and clan, were at their highest peak.

During the latter part of the Eighteenth Century, it seemed as though the family of  MacKenzie of Seaforth might again rise to lead the North but the losses they had suffered eventually proved too heavy. Lord Fortose died in 1761 and was succeeded by his son, who was once more created Earl of Seaforth. It was this Earl who raised and commanded a regiment of Seaforth Highlanders when the government decided to seek recruits among the clans for service in the war of American Independence.

The Earldome of Cromartie which was forfeited after 1745, was revived in 1861 in favor of Anne only daughter of John Hay MacKenzie of Cromartie whose ancestors had inherited the estates, including Castle Leod in Strathpeffer from Lord MacLeod.  The Cromartie honors, descending through their second son, Lord Tarbat and after holding them for more than 60 years, were succeeded by Roderick Grant Francis MacKenzie as 4^th Earl of Cromartie. In 1979 Sir Roderick was confirmed as Caberfeidh (Chief) of the MacKenzies. Roderick died December 21, 1989 and his son, John Ruaridh Grant MacKenzie became Earl of Cromartie and Caberfeidh.

(This history contains quotes from “The Clan MacKenzie” by Jean Dunlop, 1953).