Clan Anstruther

Clan Anstruther (Anstruther Tartan)

Crest:Two arms in armour holding a pole-axe with both arms gauntleted, Proper

Motto: Periissem ni periissem (I would have perished had I not persisted)

Origin of Name: From the town of Anstruther

Lands: Fife

Region: Anstruther

Historic Seat: Balcaskie House in Fife

Clan Chief: Tobias Anstruther of That Ilk

1. Clan Anstruther History

William de Candela received the lands of Anstruther as a gift from Alexander I of Scotland at the beginning of the 12th century. Over the years, many theories concerning his origins have been proposed; however, current research suggests that he may have been a Norman living in Italy.

William the Conqueror, also known as William I of England, is said to have asked William, Count of Candela, for assistance. There are rumors that the land grant from Alexander may have gone to his son or possibly his grandson.

There is ample evidence of William de Candela's son William's generosity to the monks of Balmerino Abbey. He originally gave the current location, which is now the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther.

In the succeeding generation, Henry, also called 'Henricus de Aynstrother dominus ejusdem,' carried on the legacy even though the de Candela name faded. Alongside Louis IX, he took part in the crusades to the Holy Land and twice swore allegiance to Edward I in 1292 and 1296.

Andrew Anstruther of Anstruther defended the barony in 1483 and fought bravely in the 1513 Battle of Flodden. His marriage to Christina Sandilands, a daughter of Robert II and a descendant of Sir James Sandilands of Calder, enhanced the family tree even more.

David, their son, distinguished himself at Pavia in 1520 while serving in the French Scots Regiment under Francis I of France. This distinguished line of family history came to an end in 1928 with the passing of the last Baron d'Anstrude.

Andrew's great-great-grandson developed a close relationship with the royal household by traveling with the young James VI of Scotland. James bestowed upon him the esteemed title of Hereditary Grand Carver, an honor that the head of the family has proudly held to this day.

He attained the prestigious position of Master of the Household by 1595. William, his son, traveled to London with James after the Union of the Crowns in 1603. William received a knighthood and became an Order of the Bath member during James' coronation.

In addition, he and his younger brother, Sir Robert, shared the distinguished title of Gentleman of the Bedchamber to James VI.

William's son Sir Phillip fought for the royalists in the American Civil War, being captured at Worcester and losing property until the Restoration. In the meantime, Robert, his third son, became a baronetcy in 1694 and acquired Balcaskie in 1698.

Lord Anstruther, the eldest son, held the positions of Lord of Session and Privy Councilor. The family's noble ties were further strengthened by Lord Anstruther's marriage to Lady Margaret Carmichael, daughter of the second Earl of Hyndford.

The Honorable Jean Leslie, the granddaughter of Civil War general David Leslie, was married to another brother, Sir Alexander Anstruther.

Robert, the eldest son of the third Baronet of Balcaskie, fought bravely in the French Revolutionary Wars, Abercromby's Egyptian Campaign, and the Peninsular War while serving in the Scots Fusilier Guards.

He displayed great courage in Vimiero in 1808 and on the retreat to Corunna, where he died bravely in 1809. Later generations carried on the noble tradition by serving in Parliament and in a number of prestigious British regiments, including the Grenadier Guards, the Royal Engineers, the Black Watch, and the Coldstream Guards. During the Second World War, Sir Ralph Anstruther, the 7th Baronet, was notably awarded the Military Cross.

The chief's seat is still at Balcaskie in Fife today, which is evidence of the Anstruther clan's noble ancestry and enduring legacy.

2. Clan Anstruther Tartans

The clan is associated with the Fife District tartan, despite the absence of an officially recognized Anstruther tartan.

Fife District

3. Clan Anstruther Crest & Coats of Arms

3.1 Clan Anstruther Crest

Worn by all of the name and ancestry

Crest Description:
Two arms in armour holding a pole-axe with both arms gauntleted, Proper

3.2 Clan Anstruther Coat of Arms

A note on Coats of Arms:

A person is awarded a coat of arms under Scottish heraldic law; civic or corporate arms are not granted. There is no such thing as a "family coat of arms." The personal arms pictured below belong to the person who received them, unless they are corporate or civic arms. The only person authorized to wield these weapons is the one who has been given them.

ARMS
Argent, three piles Sable

MOTTO
Perlissem ni perlissem (I would have perished had I not persisted)

SUPPORTERS
Two falcons with wings expanded Proper, beaked and membered Gules, gelled and jessed Or.

STANDARD

Our crest, in keeping with the Scottish spirit, proudly displays the symbol of St. Andrew's Cross, a representation of the pride and legacy of our country. This cross, which represents our enduring traditions, shines in argent against an azure backdrop.

Below, a gold coronet displays our crest, signifying our illustrious ancestry. Two shimmering daggers meet in one chamber, both encircled by the same royal coronet.

In another, a vibrant, verdant olive sprig stands for prosperity and peace. And our proud Slogan "Castle Dreel" shines in argent letters across two bands of blue, a tribute to our ancestors' stronghold.

PINSEL

Our coat of arms, which is proudly displayed in Scottish tradition, consists of an argent shield with the Crest atop a sable and argent wreath of liveries. This emblem is surrounded by a sable strap that is gold-plated and bears our motto, "Perlissem ni periissem."

This green-bordered circlet is topped with a red chapeau lined with ermine fur, emblazoned with the name "Anstruther of that Ilk" in bold black letters. Above it all, on a black Escrol, our Slogan, "Castle Dreel," shines in silver letters and is accompanied by an olive sprig in its natural colors, which is a symbol of peace and prosperity.

Arms of Ralph Hugo Anstruther

Arms of Laing of Morisland, Arms of Anstruther

The arms have a rich history and were bestowed upon us on January 25, 1995. These are an altered version of the 1929-granted arms of the Royal Burgh of Kilrenny, Anstruther Easter, and Anstruther Wester.

What they mean is that the anchor represents Anstruther Easter and its importance as a busy seaport.

The color scheme of silver and black honors Anstruther of that Ilk, whose magnificent castle formerly adorned our territory. The three fish symbolize Anstruther Wester, a reference to the salmon-rich river that runs between Anstruther Easter and Wester.

And below, a charming scene of fishing emerges, paying homage to Kilrenny's longstanding relationship with the ocean.

"May the hook ever hang in your favor" is the motto.

4. Clan Anstruther People & Places

4.1 Clan Anstruther People

4.1.2 Henry Torrens Anstruther (1860-1926)

This is the story of a Scottish boy who was raised in politics. He entered the world of governance after his father, a distinguished Anstruther, had done.

After attending Eton and Edinburgh University, he graduated with a strong intellect and a strong desire to serve the public good. He entered Edinburgh's legal community and was admitted as an advocate in 1884.

Not long after, he took up the mantle of a Liberal Unionist Member of Parliament for St Andrews Burghs, replacing his father in that role from 1886 to 1903. From 1895 to 1903, he served as a Lord of the Treasury for the country, gaining prominence and leaving his mark.

He demonstrated his dedication to justice and order back home by serving as a Justice of the Peace for both Buckinghamshire and Fife. His participation in the Suez Canal Company's Administrative Council starting in 1903 demonstrated his global aspirations.

Never one to back down from a challenge, he was an Alderman on the prestigious London County Council from 1905 until 1910, making a significant contribution to the history of Scottish politics.

4.1.3 Sir Ralph (Hugo) Anstruther, 7th Baronet, GCVO, MC, DL (1921-2002)

This is the tale of a true Scottish son who came from the brave Black Watch ancestry. He was educated at Cambridge's prestigious Eton and Magdalene College. Captain Robert Edward Anstruther MC and Marguerite Blanche Lily de Burgh were his parents.

He enlisted in the Coldstream Guards, carrying on his family's tradition, and in 1943 he was awarded the Military Cross for his valor in combat. In 1950, his bravery reached as far as Malaya, where his name was mentioned in dispatches.

But his contribution to the fight did not stop there. He served as the Queen Mother's Equerry from 1959 to 1998, exemplifying devotion and loyalty. He was well-liked by the royal court during his nearly forty years as Treasurer, a position he took on in 1961. As Treasurer Emeritus, he continued to be regarded as a holy man even after he retired.

His commitment was not in vain. Honorably decorated, he received the CVO in 1967 and went on to become a KCVO in 1976 and GCVO in 1992, demonstrating his unwavering dedication.

He proudly continued the noble tradition of his family, inheriting the baronetcy of Anstruther of Balcaskie in 1934 and then Anstruther of Anstruther in 1980. The latter title carried with it the prestigious title of Hereditary Carver to the Queen, an office with a long history dating back centuries.

He had strong ties to Scotland. He embodied the spirit of Scottish loyalty and service, remaining rooted in his homeland's traditions as Deputy Lieutenant of Fife and Caithness-shire and Member of the Royal Company of Archers.

5. Associated Names

Former spellings of Anstruther the place include: Eynstrother, Aynestrothir, Ainestrother, Ansteruthyir, and Struther.