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ClanCrest Kerr.gif|thumbnail|right|The Kerr Crest: Dexter, the sun in his splendour. Sinister, a stag's head erased Proper (Kerr)]]
Clan Kerr is a Scottish clan that played an important role in the history of the Border country of Scotland.
History of the Clan
The great Clan Kerr is well remembered in Scotland as one of the most loyal Clans of the turbulent Border territories. The name is of ancient origin, stemming back to the Norse settlement of Normandy where the Kerrs were an important family. The name itself derives from the old Norse "kjrr" meaning "men from the marshes", and the name has been spelled in many forms since, including Kerr, Ker, Carr and Carre. The Kerrs arrived in Britain after William I's conquest of England in 1066, and the Clan Kerr descend from two brothers, Ralph and John Ker, who settled in Jedburgh around 1330. The Clan soon grew and prospered, building themselves a position of influence through their sheer strength and tenacity. The Clan Kerr controlled two castles on the border with England, and were quick to fend off any intrusion by the Southerners, but were not indisposed to a quick venture across the divide whenever they fancied some prime English beef for their tables.
By the 15th Century the Clan Kerr were considered highly important Crown vassals, and with loyalty came rich rewards. In 1451 Andrew Kerr was granted the barony of Old Roxburgh, and by 1457 had been created the Warden of the Marches. By the close of the 15th Century, the Clan Kerr held the honours of possessing the Castle and Barony of Cessford, and the Barony of Oxnam, a considerable achievement for any Border Clan.
Clan Kerr fought at the Battle of Flodden Field in 1513.
The Clan Kerr's faithfulness to the Crown of Scotland continued throughout the centuries, and the Clan were always willing to take up arms for the sake of their proud nation. The Kerrs fought under their chief, Sir Andrew Kerr, at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, standing beside James IV in his conflict with the English armies. Thirteen years later, Sir Andrew laid down his life in defence of the infant James V when the royal procession was attacked on the way to Edinburgh Castle. With such sacrifice came great rewards for the Clan Kerr. Honours continued to be heaped upon the Clan down through the years, with the titles bestowed on the Kerrs including the Barony of Newbattle, the Earldom of Lothian, the Lordship of Jedburgh, the Earldom of Ancram, and the Dukedom of Roxburghe. The Earls of Lothian were advanced to the rank of Marquess at the beginning of the 18th Century. The 12th Marquess of Lothian resides at Ferniehurst Castle, although the principal seat of Clan Kerr is considered to be the fabulous mansion of Monteviot. Other great monuments to the Kerr's success are the splendid Floors Castle, and Newbattle Abbey, near Edinburgh.
Ferniehurst Castle
Ferniehirst was built around 1470. It has been occupied in this century as a Youth Hostel for fifty years. It was built to hold the gate for Scotland and to serve as a base for military raids and cattle-lifting forays. It commands the road to Otterburn and Newcastle.
Left-Handed Kerrs
There is a legend that the Kerrs were frequently left-handed and even constructed the spiral staircases in their castles so that they could take advantage over right-handed swordsmen. The term "Corrie-fisted" or left-handed is said to derive from this. But there is little in history to support the legend - the story is likely to have derived from the Gaelic "caerr" meaning "left".
Origins of the Name
Disputed, either:
- Kerr (Gaelic for Strength)
- Caer (British for "fort")
- Ciar (Gaelic for "dusky")
- Cearr (Gaelic for "left handed" - carrie handit in Lowland Scots)
- Kjrr (Old Norse for "marsh dweller")
Gaelic Names
- Cearr (Surname)
- MacGhillechearr (Surname)
- Cearrach (Singular)
- Na Cearraich (Collective)
- Clann 'icGhillechearr (Collective)
Mottos
- Dexter, Sero sed serio (Late but in earnest)
- Sinister, Forward in the name of God
Badge
- A Kerr knot Or
Tartans
Clan Kerr has two recognized tartans.
- Kerr (Modern)
- Kerr (Hunting)
Plant Badge
- Bog Myrtle
Arms
- Quarterly, 1st & 4th, Azure, the sun in his splendour Or (for the peerage of Lothian); 2nd & 3rd, Gules, on a chevron Argent, three mullets of the field (Kerr)
Chief
- Michael Andrew Foster Jude Kerr, 13th Marquess of Lothian
Clan Seat
Branches
- Kerr of Cessford
- Kerr of Ferniehurst
- Kerr of Linton
Septs of Clan Kerr
- Carr(e)
- Carrach
- Cessford
- Kar(e)
- Ker
- Kier
- Linton
- Herriott
Rival Clans
External links
"Clan Kerr"