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McARTHUR TARTAN background
Septs: (some of ) Arthur McArthur MacArther McArther McAuthur MacAuthur McArthor MacArtair McArthure Makarturicht Maccaiter Makkerthrye M'Carthur Maccarter M'Erthir Mc Harter M'Arthur Makarthure M'Carthair M'Artour M'Carthour McCarthair M'Artoure M'Arthor M'Arthour M'Carter M'Airthour M'Cairter M'Kartur McHarter McKerter MacArtur McKairtour M'Cairtter McAtur Makcairtour Mackartar MacArter McCarturMcerter McArter M"Cartour Maccart McArtor M'Arthure Makarta M'Cartur mcArthour Magarta M'Arthur Mecarta McArta mcArtor MacArta MacAtair McCartor Carter MacArtar mcArthor Cartter McArtair Makarthour MacArtor McArther McCarter Mcarthor MacArthor McArtour Mcartur Clan
MacArthur is one of the most ancient and revered clans from Argyll &
the Highlands, so ancient as to make modern research difficult. They had resided
there so long that, even in Celtic days, they were the subject of a celebrated
couplet
"The hills and streams and MacAlpine but whence came
forth MacArthur?" Another
saying known by Highlanders was:
"There is nothing older, unless, the hills,
MacArthur and the devil" There
is some uncertainty whether our forebears sprang from Cormac MacArt,
third-century king of Ireland, whose descendants spread to what is now known as
Argyll, or from later ancestors. However, we do know that our early kinsmen
supported one of Scotland's great heroes, Robert the Bruce, in his struggle for
Scotland's independence in the early 14th century. After
Bruce's success at the battle of the Pass of Brander in 1308, the MacArthurs
were given large grants of land in Argyll. The Clan remained a powerful force
until 1427 when our then Chief, Iain (or John), "a leader of a thousand
men" was beheaded by King James I of Scotland. The
clan held the chiefship of the clan Campbell until the 15th century. Iain
and other clan chiefs opposed James' policy of a strong central government for
Scotland, which they feared would lead to the dissolution of the ancient clan
system. This attempt by James to eliminate his opposition so enraged many
Highland clans that a year later Alexander of the Isles marched on Inverness
with 10,00 men and destroyed it. Following
the tragedy of 1427, the power of the MacArthurs was greatly reduced, and many
Clan members left the area. Some settled in the Western Isles where they became
celebrated pipers. Several MacArthur names holding prominent positions appear in
the 15th century annals of Argyll. This
leads historians to believe some MacArthurs had regained lands they lost
following the tragedy of 1427. Many MacArthurs left Scotland after the infamous
Battle of Culloden in 1746 and settled in the New World. Their
descendants today continue to keep the MacArthur name both respected and
honoured. The
MacArthurs of Strachur were the principal family of the clan after the
execution, and one of it members, John MacArthur became the respected 'father of
New South Wales'. He travelled with the 102nd Regiment to Sydney in 1790 and was
Commandant at Parramatta until 1804. He took an enormous interest in the
development of Australia and it was through his concentrations of sheep breeding
and the founding of the first vineyard, that two of Australias greatest
industries were created.
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