Clan Chisholm
Clan Chisholm (Chisholm Tartan)
Gaelic Name: Siosal
Crest: A dexter hand holding a dagger erect, Proper, the point thereof transfixing a boar’s head erased, Or
Motto: Feros Ferio (I am fierce with the fierce)
Origin of Name: Placename, Roxburghshire
Badge: Fern
Lands: Roxburghshire and Invernesshire
Clan Chief: Hamish of Chisholm, The Chisholm
1. Chisholm Clan History
The name originates from the Norman term "chese," meaning "to choose," combined with the Saxon word "holm," signifying a "meadow."
Erchless Castle, nestled in the Highlands, was originally constructed by the Bisset clan during the 13th century. However, through marriage in the 15th century, ownership of the castle transferred to the Chisholm family. It remained in the Chisholm family for centuries until the estate was eventually sold in 1937.
The kingdom of Gododdin fell to the Northumbrian English in the 7th century and later to the Normans, three hundred years thereafter. The early Chisholms journeyed across the North Sea, settling in Roxburghshire, where they established a feudal barony.
Alexander de Cheschelme's name is recorded on a charter from 1249, and the Ragman Roll of 1296, listing supporters of England’s Edward I, mentions Richard de Cheschelme and John de Cheshome.
The family seal depicts a boar’s head, symbolizing the legendary tale of two Chisholm brothers who saved a king from a wild boar. This symbol remains prominent in Chisholm heraldry today.
By 1359, the family held the esteemed position of constables of Urquhart Castle, a vital royal stronghold overlooking Loch Ness, guarding the passage to the western highlands.
The Chiefs of the Clan of Strathglass and Glen Cannich were collectively known as ‘The Chisholm’. It was believed that only three individuals on earth were entitled to use the definite article for their appellation: The Pope, The King, and The Chisholm.
At Culloden, fewer than fifty Chisholms who fought for Prince Charles survived. Among the seven men who guided the Prince across the country were three Chisholms: Alexander, Donald, and Hugh. After their journey's end, Hugh vowed never to shake another man’s hand, a vow he upheld for life.
In the mid-1700s, the twenty-second chief, Ruairidh, followed the trend of other clan chiefs by extracting maximum rent from his tenants.
This pressure eased temporarily upon his death. However, William, the twenty-third chief in 1793, displaced his family’s loyal supporters from their homes to make way for sheep.
2. Clan Chisholm Tartans
The Chisholm tartan originates from the Vestairium Scoticum and is also featured in ‘The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland’ by James Grant, published in 1886.
In tartan terminology, the term 'ancient' typically signifies lighter dye shades, while 'modern' indicates darker colors.
Threadcount R/12 W4 R48 B12 G4 B2 G4 B2 G4 R/2
Chisholm tartan
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The Chisholm hunting tartan was developed due to a perception in its era that the traditional red tartan was overly bright. To address this, the hue of red was altered to a more subdued brown, resulting in the creation of the Chisholm hunting tartan.
Threadcount Brown/12 W4 Brown48 B12 G4 B2 G4 B2 G24 Brown/2
Chisholm Hunting
3. Clan Chisholm Crest & Coats of Arms
3.1 Clan Chisholm Crest
Worn by all of the name and ancestry
Crest Description:
A dexter hand holding a dagger erect, Proper, the point thereof transfixing a boar’s head erased, Or
3.2 Clan Chisholm Coat of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
According to Scottish heraldic law, a coat of arms is granted to an individual, except for civic or corporate arms. There isn't a concept of a "family coat of arms." The arms depicted below are personal and can only be used by the individual to whom they were granted.
CHISHOLM
Gules a boar’s head couped Argent. Alexander Nisbet’s A System of Heraldry 1722
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1) CHISHOLM OF CHISHOLM
2) Mrs Mary CHISHOLM or GOODEN
3) Mrs CHISHOLM BATTEN
4) James Chisholm GOODEN-CHISHOLM
Gules a boar’s head couped Or. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary;
1a) 1st matric 1816
1b) 2nd matriculation 1831
2) 1827
3) 1860
4) 1887
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2) Capt Roderick CHISHOLM OF CHISHOLM
3) Andrew Francis Hamish CHISHOLM OF CHISHOLM
Gules a boar’s head couped Or langued Azure. 1) Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary;
1760
2) An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
29th March 1938 33/12 *
3) Lyon Register 12 Dec 1998 (BLG Scotland)
* also Alistair Hamish Wiland Andre Fraser Chisholm of Chilsholm yrg – Debruised of three point label during his father’s lifetime
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Writer,
In SirJames Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary, the coat of arms for Edinburgh features a golden boar’s head that is cleanly severed from the neck, set against a red background. Surrounding this emblem is a border marked by a series of rounded indentations, all in the same golden hue as the boar’s head.
1672-7
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In tartan terminology, the term 'ancient' typically signifies lighter dye shades, while 'modern' indicates darker colors.
4. Clan Chisholm Places & People
4.1 Clan Chisholm Places
Erchless Castle, nestled in the Scottish Highlands, served as a formidable stronghold for Clan Chisholm for over five centuries, from the 15th century until the 1930s. Originally held by Clan Bissett, the lands transitioned to the Chisholms through a marital alliance.
The existing castle, constructed around 1600, replaced an earlier structure dating back to the 1200s. Over the course of the 19th century, Erchless Castle underwent various renovations and modifications.
However, in 1937, after the passing of the final direct descendant of the Chisholm line who owned the estate, the castle changed hands and departed from Chisholm ownership.
4.2 Clan Chisholm People
Erik Chisholm (1904-64)
Erik Chisholm, a distinguished composer and music professor, was the visionary behind the Active Society for the Propagation of Contemporary Music, established in Glasgow back in 1929.
Thanks to Chisholm's tireless dedication, over 200 new musical compositions received their debut performance, a testament to his commitment to advancing contemporary music.
Notably, he dedicated his rendition of the monumental Opus Clavicembalisticum by Sorabji to Hugh MacDairmid. In 1946, Chisholm assumed the role of Professor of Music at the University of Capetown, where he delved into composing short operas.
His heartfelt compositions were often dedicated to his wife, Lillias. Among his most notable works are the Indian and Pibroch Piano Concertos, as well as the captivating ballet "The Forsaken Mermaid," crafted especially for the Celtic Ballet Company.
5. Associated Names
Variants of the name include: Cheseholme, Chisholm, Chisholme Cheishame, Cheishelm, Cheisholme, Chesame, Chesehelme, Cheseholm, Cheseim, Cheshelm, Cheshelme, Chesholm, Chesholme, Cheshom, Chesim, Chesolm, Chesolme, Chesom, Chesome, Chessam, Chessame, Chesseholme, Chisholm, Chisholme, Chism, Chisolm, Chisolme, Chisomme, Chissem, Chissim, Chissolme, Schisholme, Schishome, Schisolme , Schisome, Sheshelm, Shisholme.
The surname Fenton is sometimes associated with Clan Chisholm as a sept, although the specific reasons for this connection are not readily available.