Clan Burnett

Clan Burnett (Burnett Tartan)

Crest: A cubit arm, the hand naked, vested Vert doubled Argent pruning a vinetree with a pruning knife, Proper
Motto: Virescit Vulnere Virtus (Courage Flourishes at a Wound)
Badge: A sprig of holly leaves
Historic Seat: Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire
Clan Chief: James Burnett of Leys

1. Clan Burnett History

So, let's dive into the fascinating history of the Burnett clan, shall we? While some folks suggest they have Norman roots, it's more likely that the Burnett name is a spinoff of Burnard, stemming from the Old English moniker Beornheard.

Before 1066, Beornheard was making waves in England, and his name roughly translates to 'bear hand' or sometimes 'brave warrior' in the Saxon tongue.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. The Burnett crew, initially known as de Bernard, rocked up to Scotland with David I back in the 12th century. Initially, they planted roots down south, with some settling in as the Barns Burnetts.

But the main squad? They journeyed up to Kincardineshire, where they set up shop as the Leys Burnetts. Isn't that a tale straight out of the history books?

Crathes Castle, situated in Aberdeenshire, was constructed by the Burnetts of Leys during the 16th century.

Let me spin you a wee tale about the Burnetts, a clan with a history as rich as our beloved haggis! Back in the day, Alexander Burnett had Robert the Bruce's back, and you know what they say—loyalty pays off! Bruce, being the grateful lad he was, tossed some land Alexander's way in the royal Forest of Drum, even throwing in the fancy title of forester.

Legend has it Bruce even gifted him the 'Horn of Leys,' a nifty ivory horn hanging in Crathes Castle's main hall.

Fast forward a bit, and Alexander's great-grandson, Robert, snagged the official title "of Leys" in 1446. But, like any good Scottish story, there's a bit of drama! The Burnetts had a rocky relationship with the kirk. In the 15th century, they were all chummy, dishing out lands and endowments left and right.

But things took a turn when Burnett got into a tiff with the Drum Laird over land. Father Ambrose, the local priest, got caught in the middle. When Burnett asked for a hand in the negotiation, Ambrose gave him the cold shoulder.

Burnett, as you can imagine, wasn't pleased. He banned the local monks from fishing in the Loch of Leys, and well, they weren't too thrilled about it. The monks cursed him, and Burnett, being the stubborn sort, tried to drain the loch.

But tragedy struck—his son met his maker during the attempt. After that, both sides buried the hatchet, realizing life's too short for feuds. Ah, the joys of Scottish history, full of twists, turns, and a wee bit of the supernatural!

The story of the Burnetts and their home, Crathes Castle! Nestled snugly on the north bank of the Dee in Kincardineshire, this castle is a bonnie sight indeed.

Built way back in 1533, it took a whopping 40 years to complete, boasting that classic L-shaped design that's as Scottish as a dram of whisky by the fire.

But what's a Scottish castle without a wee bit of ghostly gossip, eh? Legend has it that Crathes Castle is haunted by none other than Bertha de Bernard, a kin of the Burnetts. Poor Bertha supposedly met a grisly end—some say Lady Agnes Burnett had a hand in her demise—after falling for one of her own cousins.

Talk about a family feud! Bertha's old man supposedly put a curse on the Burnetts, and folks claimed to see a 'Green Lady' skulking about the castle, foretelling doom and gloom for the household right up until the 17th century.

Now, let's talk titles. Sir Thomas Burnett snagged himself a Baronet of Nova Scotia gig back in 1626, thanks to a nod from King Charles I.

He was quite the character—backed the Covenant but also rubbed shoulders with the Marquis of Montrose. His son, a player in Scotland's last parliament, stood firm against the dreaded 1707 Act of Union.

But things got a tad messy when Sir Robert Burnett of Leys shuffled off this mortal coil without passing on his title. It took a hefty seven years of squabbling before Thomas Burnett of Criggie finally clinched the Baronetcy. Talk about a family feud turned legal brawl!

Fast forward to the American Wars, and the seventh Baronet found himself in a spot of bother, nabbed by the Yanks at Saratoga in 1777. Then came Major General Sir James Burnett of Leys, a proper war hero if ever there was one.

Leading a brigade of Gordon Highlanders in the First World War, he was mentioned in dispatches more times than you can count and even bagged himself not one, but two DSOs, plus a fancy French Legion of Honour medal for good measure.

And would you believe it? His grandson's the big cheese now, still holding down the fort on those ancient family lands. Ah, the Burnetts—never a dull moment with those lot!

2. Clan Burnett Tartans

The Burnett tartan is a relatively recent design created by Lochcarron. The term "ancient" is used to describe dye shades that are typically lighter, while "modern" refers to darker dye shades.

Threadcount A/8 R58 G6 R8 G28 Y6 G28 R/8

Burnett Ancient

Burnett Modern

Burnett of Leys

3. Clan Burnett Crest & Coats of Arms

3.1 Clan Burnett Crest

Worn by all of the name and ancestry

Crest Description:
A bare arm, clothed in green and white, wielding a pruning knife, trimming a vine tree in its natural colors.

3.2 Clan Burnett 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. There is no concept of a 'family coat of arms.' The arms depicted below are personal to the individual granted them and can only be used by that individual.

BURNETT of Leys
Argent, three holly-leaves, in chief, Vert, and a hunting horn, in base, Sable, stringed and garnished, Gules

Coat of arms of the Chief, James C. A. Burnett of Leys

Burnett of Leys

Charles John Burnett H.M. Ross Herald of Arms

Arms: Divided diagonally with blue and silver, featuring two quills in the upper section and a holly leaf in the lower, with a hunting horn facing left in the center, all in opposing colors.
Crest: A half-angel with outspread wings, wearing a silver vest and a collar with a hanging pendant in blue, holding a quill in each hand.
Motto: "FORWARD WITH THE PAST"

Granted on March 10, 1982, recorded in the Lyon Register, 75th folio, 63rd volume. Additionally, behind the shield is the cross of a Knight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, accompanied by the crossed batons of a Herald, and surrounded by a Collar of Esses.

4. Clan Burnett Places & People

4.1 Clan Burnett Places

Crathes Castle, nestled in the heart of Aberdeenshire, holds a special place in the history of Clan Burnett. It all started way back in 1323 when Robert the Bruce, that legendary Scottish king, bestowed these lands upon the Burnett of Leys.

Fast forward to the late 16th century, and Alexander Burnett of Leys took on the mammoth task of building the castle we know today. It was a labor of love that spanned over four decades, finally reaching completion in 1596.

But let me tell you, it wasn't smooth sailing! Political squabbles during the tumultuous reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, caused more delays than you could shake a claymore at.

Before this grand stone castle graced the landscape, there were timber fortifications standing tall here since the 13th and 14th centuries, holding their own against the winds of time.

But here's the kicker—in 1951, after nearly four centuries under the watchful eye of the Burnett clan, Crathes Castle changed hands. Sir James Burnett, the 13th Baronet, made the tough call to sell the castle to the National Trust for Scotland.

But fret not, for this bonnie estate remains open to all who wish to wander its hallowed halls and breathe in the spirit of Scotland's storied past.

4.2 Clan Burnett People

Gilbert Burnet (1643 – 1715)

Gilbert Burnet, a true Scottish luminary! Born in the bustling streets of Edinburgh back in 1643, he hailed from a family with a rich history—his dad, a staunch Royalist and Episcopalian lawyer, even became a judge! Gilbert was a quick learner, soaking up knowledge like a sponge.

By the tender age of thirteen, he bagged himself a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Aberdeen. Can you believe it?

But Gilbert wasn't one to rest on his laurels. Nope, he switched gears and dove headfirst into theology, earning his Doctor of Divinity by the ripe old age of eighteen! Talk about ambition, eh?

Then, he embarked on a grand adventure across Europe, visiting Oxford, Cambridge, London, and even taking a jaunt to the United Provinces and France. And get this—he even studied Hebrew under a Rabbi in Amsterdam. Now, that's dedication!

By 1665, Gilbert made his triumphant return to bonnie Scotland and was ordained by none other than the Bishop of Edinburgh himself. His ministry began in the quaint rural church of Saltoun in East Lothian, where he served the community with passion and dedication for four whole years.

But fate had other plans for our Gilbert. In 1669, he found himself unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight when he was named to the vacant chair of Divinity at the University of Glasgow.

Initially hesitant to leave his beloved congregation behind, he eventually relented, spurred on by the encouragement of Bishop Leighton of Edinburgh. And thus, Gilbert Burnet's remarkable journey as a theologian, historian, and academic continued to unfold.

So, our lad decided to bid farewell to the University in 1674 and hightail it to London. Once there, his fiery political and religious beliefs pushed him to throw his lot in with the Whigs.

He was like a whirlwind, diving headfirst into the turbulent controversies of the time, all in a bid to bridge the gap between Episcopacy and Presbytery.

Now, in London, he found himself in the good graces of none other than Charles II himself! Imagine that!

The King even bestowed various honours upon him. But alas, our lad's penchant for speaking his mind got him into hot water when he dared to pen a letter of reproof to the King.

And when James II's policies didn't sit right with him, off he trotted to the United Provinces in 1687, where he became an advisor to the Prince of Orange.

But our lad wasn't done yet! Upon his return to dear old England, he was bestowed the prestigious title of Bishop of Salisbury. And oh, did he wear it well! His liberal views and tireless dedication to duty made him quite the talk of the town.

Now, let's talk about his claim to fame—the History of my Own Times! He was so particular about it that he insisted it not be published until six whole years after his passing

. When it finally hit the shelves in 1723, it gave folks a glimpse into the Civil War, the Commonwealth of England, and everything in between, right up to 1713. Sure, it might have a touch of ego and a hint of bias, but hey, who doesn't?

What matters is it's written with a genuine desire for accuracy and fairness. And let me tell you, the lad's got quite the knack for spinning a tale!

5. Associated Names

Burnett Burnet, Burnette, Bernat Burnat, Bernet, Burnap, Burnard, Barnard, Barnett, Barnette, Barnet, Bornet, Bornat, Mac Burnet