Clan Bannerman
Clan Bannerman (Bannerman Tartan)
Gaelic Name: Mac a’ Bhrataich
Crest: A demi man in armour holding in his right hand a sword, Proper
Motto: Pro Patria (For my country)
Origin of Name: Royal Standard Bearer
Clan Chief: Sir David Bannerman of Elsick Bt
1. Clan Bannerman History
Bannerman, just like Armstrong and Turnbull, holds a tale from our Scottish past. Back in the late 11th and early 12th century, during the reign of either Malcolm III or Alexander I, a right showdown unfolded on the banks of the mighty Spey.
On one side, the King's troops gathered, while across the water, a rebel army stood firm. The Spey, a wild river even on calm days, swelled with fury, giving the rebels a false sense of security.
The King, enraged by the sight of his foes, decided not to bide his time but plunged straight into the river to face them. His loyal chamberlain, Sir Alexander Carron, saw the danger and raced after him, carrying the royal standard.
When the rest of the King's army spotted the banner crossing the river, they followed suit, charging into battle and routing the rebels. For his quick wit and bravery, Sir Alexander Carron was granted the esteemed title of hereditary Standard Bearer to the King.
His descendants still hold this honor, proudly bearing the Scottish royal standard in all the right ceremonies.
In 1367, David II bestowed upon the Bannerman clan the lands of Clyntrees, Waterton, and Welltown. A few years later, in 1370, the Abbott of Kinloss granted them additional land to the west of Aberdeen.
Come the late 16th century, the Northeast of Scotland was ablaze with fierce clan conflicts between the Gordons and Forbes. Caught in the crossfire, the Bannermans initially sided with Clan Forbes.
However, in 1608, Margaret Bannerman shook things up by marrying George Gordon of Haddo, the son of Sir John Gordon. Sir John, a staunch supporter of King Charles I, met his end for opposing the National Covenant.
Alexander Bannerman of Pitmedden also threw his lot in with the King, facing near forfeiture of his estates during the civil war.
But luck turned in his favor during the Restoration, as Charles II honored him with a Nova Scotia Baronetcy in 1682 for his unwavering loyalty.
However, the loyalty of Alexander's son, Patrick, veered towards the Stuarts during the first Jacobite uprising. He aligned himself with the 'Old Pretender,' James Francis Edward Stuart, earning himself a knighthood from James VIII in 1715.
Sadly, his Jacobite sympathies led to a death sentence when the uprising crumbled. Yet, he managed a daring escape to France.
Despite the close shave, the Bannermans remained loyal to the Jacobite cause, throwing their support behind the young pretender, Charles Edward Stewart, upon his arrival in Scotland.
Sir Alexander, son of the second baronet, mustered 160 men and joined the Jacobites at Stirling in 1745, sticking with the Prince until the fateful Battle of Culloden. After the defeat, he fled northward, then to France.
In the aftermath, Sir Alexander Bannerman, the fourth Baronet, faced the harsh reality of selling off the Elsick estates due to their Jacobite connections.
However, hope flickered back in 1851 when Sir Alexander Bannerman, formerly the Governor of the Bahamas, reclaimed the estates, restoring them to the family's fold.
Sir Campbell Bannerman, a stalwart of the Liberal Party, held the reins of Prime Ministerial power from 1905 to 1908. His ascendancy to the top post came in 1905, following the departure of Arthur Balfour, courtesy of Edward VII.
Bannerman's tenure saw the rise of political luminaries like Herbert Asquith and David Lloyd George, both later wielding significant influence as Prime Ministers.
Asquith took over the mantle in 1908, with Bannerman's unfortunate demise occurring shortly thereafter.
On a different field of glory, John Bannerman left an indelible mark as a Rugby icon, proudly donning the Scottish colors 39 times.
His contributions earned him a lasting legacy, culminating in his ennoblement as Lord Bannerman of Kidonan in 1967, though he departed this world in 1969.
Delving deeper into the annals of Bannerman history, the thirteenth Baronet donned the uniform of the esteemed Cameron Highlanders.
His post-military journey led him to the intriguing world of Russian interpretation, followed by a stint in academia at Gordonstoun and Fettes College in Edinburgh. Today, his legacy lives on through his progeny, the present chief of the clan.
2. Clan Bannerman Tartans
Since there is no officially registered Bannerman tartan, individuals belonging to the Bannerman surname, as a sept of Clan Forbes, have the option to wear Forbes tartans.
Forbes Ancient
Forbes Modern
3. Clan Bannerman Crest & Coats of Arms
3.1 Clan Bannerman Crest
Worn by all of the name and ancestry
Crest Description:
A demi man in armour holding in his right hand a sword, Proper
3.2 Clan Bannerman Coat of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
According to Scottish heraldic law, a coat of arms is granted to an individual, except in cases of civic or corporate arms. The concept of a ‘family coat of arms’ is not recognized under this law. Therefore, the arms depicted below are personal and belong solely to the individual to whom they were granted, with the exceptions noted above. Only the individual who has been granted these arms has the legal right to use them.
BANNERMAN of Elsick
Gules, a banner, displayed, Argent, thereon a canton, Azure, charged with a St. Andrew’s cross, of the second, as the badge of Scotland
4. Clan Bannerman Places & People
4.1 Clan Bannerman People
4.1.1 Helen Bannerman (1862-1946)
Helen Bannerman, a product of bonnie Edinburgh, entered this world in 1862. Her early years unfolded amidst the sun-kissed landscapes of Madeira, where her father served as a minister.
Upon returning to her native soil, she received her schooling through private channels in Edinburgh and later attained a degree from the esteemed St Andrews University.
In 1889, she tied the knot with Will Bannerman, an army doctor, and embarked on a journey to the exotic lands of India.
It was amidst the vibrant tapestry of Indian culture that Bannerman penned a series of illustrated missives to her daughters back home in Scotland.
The culmination of her efforts was the publication of "Little Black Sambo" in 1899. However, a misstep in copyright dealings led to the dissemination of unauthorized versions, tainted by racially insensitive imagery—a far cry from Bannerman's original intent.
Recognizing the need to rectify this misrepresentation, illustrator Fred Marcellino undertook the task of producing a revised edition titled "The Story of Little Babaji" in 1996.
Despite this setback, Bannerman remained undeterred, going on to pen nine more delightful children's books before bidding adieu to this world in her beloved Edinburgh at the ripe age of 84.
4.1.2 John MacDonald, Lord Bannerman of Kildonan (1902-1969)
John Macdonald, a native of bonnie Glasgow, made his mark on the rugby field, earning 37 caps for Scotland. Beyond his prowess on the pitch, he carved out a legacy as a beloved broadcaster and staunch advocate for the Gaelic language.
Holding the esteemed position of president within An Comunn Gaidhealach, he contributed richly to the cultural tapestry by composing numerous Gaelic songs, resonating with the spirit of the Highlands.
In recognition of his invaluable contributions, Macdonald was bestowed with the honor of a life peerage in 1967, cementing his place in the annals of Scottish history.
5. Associated Names
Bannerman was considered a sept of Clan Forbes.
Allied clans: Clan Forbes
Rival clans: Clan Gordon