Clan Abercrombie

Clan Abercrombie (Abercrombie Tartan)

1. Clan Abercrombie History

It all started in 1296 when William de Abercromby gave his lands in the Abercromby, Fife, parish over to Edward I of England.

However, it was in Banffshire, under the leadership of the Abercromby of Birkenbog, that the real story of the Abercrombies began in the early 1600s.The passage continues.They were deeply rooted in a religious fervor.

The family's introduction into this tale began in 1362 when the Bishop of Aberdeen granted Alexander Abercromby lands in Banff.

In the sixteenth century, a Jesuit priest named Robert Abercromby is adamantly opposed to the Reformation. According to legend, he even converted Queen Anne of Denmark, in her last days, to Catholicism.

The centuries had not dampened the defiant spirit of Abercromby. Alexander Abercromby resisted Charles I's attempts to force an Episcopal church upon Scotland by remaining a staunch Covenanter.

The Marquis of Montrose's infamous quartering of troops at Birkenbog as a result of his rebellion is evidence of the clan's unwavering resolve.

The passage continues.As a Jesuit and later a Protestant, David Abercromby carried on the family tradition of religious discussion, even going so far as to write a harsh indictment of papal authority in 1682.

The passage continues.But the Abercrombies were defined by more than just their fervor for religion. They also possessed a strong sense of military duty. And now for Sir Ralph Abercromby, a military reform titan whose guidance of Wellington during the Napoleonic Wars changed the course of history.

His victories reverberated across continents, from Trinidad to Egypt, and culminated in the elevation of his widow to the title of Baroness Abercromby of Aboukir and Tullibody, a title that reflected the clan's lasting influence well beyond their ancestral lands.The passage continues.

A tapestry of faith, defiance, and bravery, the Abercrombies continue to have a lasting impact on Scottish history.

2. Clan Abercrombie Tartans

An iconic symbol of Scottish culture, the Abercrombie tartan dates back to the famous Wilsons of Bannockburn in 1805.

There is a legend that it is named after the renowned Sir Ralph Abercrombie, and that Wilsons, at the turn of the eighteenth century, skillfully created its design.

While Logan recorded the precise number of threads around 1831, some have considered his documentation somewhat 'clumsy'.

In his academic endeavors, James Scarlett alluded to possible revisions to Logan's version, but the version that we treasure today departs from Scarlett's recommendations.

Let's talk about threads now. Abercrombie Modern's color scheme is dark and moody, but Ancient's color scheme is lighter and more airy.

The magic doesn't stop there, though. Abercrombie Modern accommodates every taste with a range of weights, from the light springweight to the robust heavyweight.

Abercrombie Ancient, on the other hand, makes sure there's a tartan for every occasion, from formal events to get-togethers, by providing its charm in Medium and Heavyweight options.

There's a tartan waiting to envelop you in the cozy embrace of Scottish tradition, whether you're drawn to Abercrombie Ancient's rustic elegance or the timeless allure of Abercrombie Modern.

3. Clan Abercrombie Crest & Coats of Arms

3.1 Clan Abercrombie Crest

Worn by all of the name and ancestry

Crest:
A falcon rising belled, Proper

3.2 Coats of Arms

A note on Coats of Arms:

Within the heraldic domain of Scotland, each individual is bestowed with a distinct coat of arms, with the exception of governmental or corporate bodies, which possess their own unique heraldic emblems. The concept of a "family coat of arms" is obsolete in Scotland; instead, personal identity is everything.

The person's personal heraldry is represented by the arms you see below, and it is an exclusive right for them. It's a symbol of your unique history and achievements, similar to donning your clan tartan or proudly displaying your family crest.

ABERCROMBIE of Birkenbog
Argent, a chevron, Gules, between three boars’ heads, erased, Azure.

ABERCROMBIE of Birkenbog
Argent, a chevron, Gules, between three boars’ heads, erased, Azure.

ABERCROMBIE of Glassauch
Argent a chevron indented Gules between three boars’ heads erased Azure.

ABERCROMBY of Tullibody
Argent a chevron indented Gules between three boars’ heads erased Azure armed Or and langued Sable in the middle chief point a crescent Ver

1) Sir Robert John ABERCROMBY7th Bt
Chief of the Clan Abercromby
2) Sir Ian George ABERCROMBY OF BIRKENBOG10th Bt|

Consider dividing a shield into four sections. A striking image appears in the first and fourth quarters, featuring three azure boar heads with matching red tongues, surrounded by a shining silver background with a bold red chevron running through it.

Turn your attention to the second and third quarters now. An imperial crown perched atop its red coat, signifying strength and sovereignty, gives this magnificent lion a majestic gait as it advances. Three vivid green papingoes with ruby-red limbs and beaks next to each other add a pop of color against the silver background.

Every component, proudly displayed on shields and banners throughout the Highlands and beyond, tells a story—a tale of heritage and legacy passed down through the generations. It's a visual language rich in symbolism and tradition that conveys a great deal about our Scottish heritage.

1) John Joseph ABERCROMBIE of Carolina
2) Francis Patterson ABERCROMBIE
USA
Argent on a chevron Gules between three boars’ heads erased Azure langued of the field an antique crown Or.

1) George Ralph ABERCROMBY
4th Baron Abercromby
2) John ABERCROMBY
5th Baron Abercromby

The centerpiece of it all is an eye-catching Argent silver background that is embellished with a strong red embattled fess that represents courage and strength. A striking sight emerges triumphantly from this fess: a right arm, adorned in armor and glittering gold, surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves, a symbol of honor and victory. The French standard, symbolizing the courage and strength of the bearer, is resting proudly in a diagonal stance in the hand of this armored arm.

However, the story doesn't stop there. Beneath this iconic exhibit rests the ancient family Arms of Abercromby, an indented, jagged red chevron surrounded by three heads of azure boars, fierce and uncompromising in their forms.

This heraldic tableau is a rich tapestry of Scottish heritage that endures, with each element whispering of battles fought, alliances forged, and victories won.

Alexander ABERCROMBY MD
Cape Town
Parted per pale Argent and gules a chevron between two boars’ heads erased in chief and a bee Volant en arriere] in base all counter-changed.

4. Clan Abercrombie Places & People

4.1 Abercrombie People

4.1.2 Sir Ralph Abercrombie (1734 – 1801)

Served in the Seven Years' War before being elected as a Clackmannanshire MP. After leading the landing at Aboukir Bay and rising to the rank of Major-General, he was killed in action.

4.1.3 John Abercromby, 5th Baron Abercromby (1841 – 1924)

Abercromby took a fresh tack after leaving the army in 1870, pursuing his passions for languages, travel, and folklore.

His sharp intellect and scholarship allowed him to coin the term "Beaker" in 1904, which completely changed our knowledge of the prehistoric drinking vessels that can be found all over Europe.

As an advocate for Scottish ancestry, Abercromby lavishly contributed to the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland during his lifetime, serving as its president from 1913 to 1918.

His bequest, which made it possible for the esteemed Abercromby Chair of Archaeology at the University of Edinburgh to be established and is currently occupied by such notables as Stuart Piggott and Vere Gordon Childe, leaves a lasting legacy.

Abercromby pursued a wide range of academic interests. Among his many notable writings are several influential books, such as "A Study of Bronze Age Pottery in Europe," which is still a mainstay of archaeological literature.

Generations of academics and enthusiasts alike have been inspired by the legacy of Scottish ingenuity and intellectual curiosity left behind by John Abercromby.

4.2 Abercrombie Places

4.2.1 Abercrombie Castle

Once the Abercrombie clan's stronghold, Abercrombie Castle has disappeared, and no one knows for sure where it is.

4.2.2 Menstrie house

Reclaimed materials from Menstrie Castle were used to build the opulent 16th-century mansion known as Menstrie House. Interestingly, the famous statesman and soldier Sir Ralph Abercrombie was born in October 1734 at Menstrie Castle, but grew up on his father's estate in Tullibody.

4.2.3 Airthrey Castle

The University of Stirling proudly owns Airthrey Castle, a jewel located just north of Stirling, and we are going to take a trip back in time to the nineteenth century to learn more about its rich past.

Built in 1791 as a home for the renowned evangelist Robert Haldane, whose family had long controlled the estate, Airthrey Castle has a rich and colorful history.

Two historic standing stones are located inside its walls. They are supposed to mark the sacred site where, in 839, King Kenneth I defeated the Picts and united the kingdom of Scotland under his leadership.

The castle was transferred to Sir Robert Abercromby in 1798, a man known for his generosity and curiosity.

In 1819, Abercromby made the significant discovery of finding the fossilized remains of an ancient whale at Airthrey. He felt compelled to donate the whale's remains to the prestigious Natural History Museum at the University of Edinburgh.

Throughout its turbulent past, Airthrey Castle performed a variety of functions. During the terrifying days of World War II, it became a maternity hospital.

Providing care and refuge to generations of mothers and newborns, the castle carried out its essential role even after the estate was transferred to Stirling County Council in 1946.

Airthrey Castle was finally given a permanent home in 1966, under the care of the University of Stirling. It is now a proud beacon of knowledge and wisdom, symbolizing the tenacity and enduring power of Scottish heritage.

5. Associated Names

The following names are variant spellings of the name Abercrombie:
Abarcrombie, Abarcrombie, Abbarcrombie, Abbercrombie, Abbercromby, Abbercromie, Abbercrommie, Abbercrumbie, Abbercrumby, Abbercrummy, Abbircombie, Abbircrombie, Abbircromby, Abbircromy, Abbircrumby, Abbircrumme, Abbircrummy, Abbircrumy, Abbircummy, Abbyrcrumby, Abercrombie, Abercromby, Abercrumbie, Abercrumby, Abercrummy, Abercrumy, Abhercrombie, Abhircrombie, Abircombie, Abircrombie, Abircromby, Abircrommbie, Abircromy, Abircrumby, Abircrumbye, Abircrume, Abircrumme, Abircrummy, Abircrumy, Abyrcrumbie, Abyrcrumby, Eppyrcrumby, Epyrcrumbie, Epyrcrumby, Eparcrombie, Epercrombie, Epercromby, Epercrumbie, Epercrumby, Epercrummy, Epircombie, Epircrombie, Epircromby, Epircromy, Epircrumby, Epircrumbye, Epircrumme, Epircrummy, Eppercromby, Eppercrumby, Eppercrummy, Eppircombie, Eppircromby, Eppircromy, Eppircrumby, Eppircrumme, Eppircrummy, Ebercrombie, Ebercrumbie, Ebercrumby, Eabercromby, Eabercrumbie, Eabercrumby, Ebbercrumby, Appircombie, Appircromby, Appircromy, Appircrumby, Appircrumme, Appircrummy, Appyrcrumby, Apyrcrumbie, Apyrcrumby, Aparcrombie, Apercrombie, Apercromby, Apercrumbie, Apercrumby, Apercrummy, Apircombie, Apircrombie, Apircromby, Apircromy, Apircrumby, Apircrumbye, Apircrumme, Apircrummy, Appercromby, Appercrumby, Appercrummy