Clan Logan

The Logan and MacLennan tartan first published by James Logan in 1831

The surname Logan is a territorial name, likely derived from the Gaelic word "Lagan or Laggan" meaning low-lying land, a glen, dell, or hollow, based on the situation of their land. They had lands in Gallway and Dumfiresshire at an early period and also in Ulster, Ireland, since the Clans often crossed over. They soon spread over Scotland to Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Dumfriesshire, Dubarton, and Rossshire. The Logan family was divided into two main branches, the Grugar (later the Restalrig) Chiefs of the name in the south of Scotland, which was recorded by Lord Lyons, and the Highland branch of Driudeurfit, Chiefs in the North. There was also a distinguished branch in Lanarkshire.

Based on modern criteria, with so many people doing genealogy and DNA testing, it's been confirmed by the Logan DNA project, that there are at least 14 separate lines of Logans, known so far, with Scottish Logans, Irish Logans, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and about anywhere in the world. Most Logan's were ordinary people, farmers, businessman, soldiers, seaman, educators, etc. These Logans would probably not been written about in history books, but the name Logan, has come a long way throughout the world, with airports, towns, counties, and universities named for it.

The Northern Logans

The northern Logan Clan can be traced back on the headstones in Kilmuir Kirkyard, where they were known as the Logans of Drumdeurfit, which is situated in the Black Isel in Easter Rossshire and most of the Black Isle. Robert Logan of Druimdeurfit can be found in this cemetery. But the family can be found over a wide area, even over to Harris in the Western Hebrides. Colan Logan, heiress of Druimmanairig, married Eachuin Beirach, a son of the Baron of Kintail, who died at Eadarachaolis about 1350, leaving a son Eanruig from whom descends the Logans of Harris. Between 1372 - 1450, Crotach M'Gillie Gorm was the Chief of the Northern Clan Logan. From that date up to 1564, the chiefs were buried in Kilmuir, Western Kirkyard, as is recored on Thomas Logan's tomb, but time has worn them away, and the names are no longer legible, but other Logans there are readable.

The Lowland Logans From 1200 to 1600, the family had large possessions in both Scotland and in Ulster, Ireland, and were amongst the most distinguished knights and barons of that time. They were specifically famed for their steadfast courage and patriotic loyalty, with many being slain in battle against the English invaders. They were supporters of both William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in winning the independence of Scotland from England, both with fighting men and financially.

One of the earliest records of the surname is of Robert Logan who is recorded as witnessing the resignation of the lands of Ingilbristoun in 1204. The name is variously recorded throughout the 13th century. Several Logans are recorded as paying homage to Edward I of England within the Ragman Rolls of 1296. These are Phelippe de Logyn (burgess from Montrose), Thurbrandus de Logyn (from Dumfrieshire), Andreu de Logan (from Wigtonshire), and Wautier Logan (from Lanarkshire).[5] The seal of Wautier Logan (SIGILLVM WALTERI LOGAN) is blazoned a stag's head cabossed, between the antlers, a shield with three piles.[5][6]

Walter Logan, Lord of Hartside was a sheriff of Lanark in 1301, and in 1298 had received a grant of the lands of "Lus" from Robert Bruce.[7] This Walter Logan appears twice on a roll of landowners forfeited in 1306 by Edward I, for supporting Robert the Bruce.[8] The first instance of Logan has John Cromwell as the petitioner for Logan's forfeited lands, while the second instance of Walter Logan has William Mulcaster and John Bisset petitioning for his lands.[8]

In 1306 Dominus Walter Logan was taken prisoner by the English forces and hanged at Durham, in the presence of Edward of Carnarvon (the future Edward II of England).[9]

In 1330 brothers Sir Robert Logan and Sir Walter Logan, both sons of Dominus Walter Logan; along with Sir William de Keith, Sir William de St. Clair of Rosslyn; accompanied Sir James Douglas in his quest to take the heart of the dead King Robert I of Scotland to the Holy Land.[10] Douglas and his company had been received by Alfonso XI of Castile, who campaigning against the Moors, in the Kingdom of Granada. Near the Castillo de la Estrella, Alfonso's army fought the Saracens at the Battle of Teba. During the battle Douglas observed a knight of his company surrounded by Moorish warriors, and with his remaining men attempted to relieve his countryman. As the knights were hard pressed and outnumbered by the Moors, Sir James Douglas took the silver casket containing the heart of Robert Bruce, and threw it before him among the enemy, saying, "Now pass thou onward before us, as thou wert wont, and I will follow thee or die." Sir James Douglas and most of his men were slain, among them Sir Robert Logan and Sir Walter Logan.[11]

The leading Logan family's principal seat was in Lestalrig or Restalrig, near Edinburgh.[10] Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig married Katherine Stewart, daughter of Robert II of Scotland, and later in 1400 Sir Robert was appointed Admiral of Scotland.[10] Sir Robert Logan, Baron of Grugar, and 1st Logan Baron of Restalrig, was a most distinguished knight, who lived in the reign of Robert II (1371-1390), Robert III (1390-1406) James I (1424-1437), and James II, up to 1439. His Barony of Grugar, Ayrshire, had descended to him from Sir John de Logan, who held it in 1302, and the lands of Malles in Gowrie from Adam de Logan, 1226. When Sir John de Lestalric died in 1382, Sir Robert became the first Logan Baron of Restalric, which was in the Lestalric family from 1124 - 1382.

Sir Robert Logan was one of the hostages given in 1424 to free James I of Scotland from being held in England.[9] Robert's son or grandson, John Logan of Restalrig, was made principal sheriff of Edinburgh by James II of Scotland.[9]

In 1555 Logan of Restalrig sold the superiority of Leith (the principal seaport of Edinburgh) to the queen regent Mary of Lorraine, also known as Marie de Guise.[9]

The last Sir RobertLogan, Seventh and Last Baron of Restalric, Baron of Grugar, Baron of Fast Castle, Baron of Hutton, Lord of the Manor of Gunsgreen, son of Lady Agnes Gray, born in 1555 and dies on 28 Jan 1607, still a very wealthy man, and left his children a large estate. The last the Baron was Robert Logan of Restalrig, who was described by contemporaries as "ane godless, drunkin, and deboshit man".[9] Sir Walter Scott described him as "one of the darkest characters of that dark age".[9] The deceased Sir Robert Logan did not pass way without controversy, though. He is associated with a controversy which even today, has people taking sides as to he was railroaded or he was guilty as sin. This was the infamous Gowrie Conspiracy, which was brought to Scottish Court in 1609, approximately 3 years after his death, but Scottish Law required his body to be in the courtroom. If you like a puzzle, read the Gowrie Conspiracy with an open mind, and decide for yourself, his innocence or guilt, but the final verdict was that King James I as the injured party, and Logan's children were thus forfeited, outlawed, and ruined, and his wealthy estate went to the King, and his closest associates.

The Lowland Logan Clan Chiefs have been traced back to Alexander Logan in 1517, succeeded by Patrick Logan of that Ilk in 1531, to William Logan of Logan in 1558, to George Logan of that Ilk in 1603, to William Logan in 1633 to his son George Logan of Logan. He is the one that officially registered the Coat of Arms with the first Lord Lyons office in 1672 and dies 1756, to George Logan III of Logan, to his brother Hugh Logan, to Hugh Logan of Logan who dies in 1759. The last Logan of Logan, Hugh Logan, in Ayrshire was celebrated for both his wit and eccentricity. Logan was known for his The Laird of Logan, published after his death, which was a compilation of amusing anecdotes and puns.[9] He had one daughter, who married a Mr. Campbell.[9] He died in 1802, without heirs.

Shared tartans

"Logan". A Victorian era romanticised depiction of a member of the clan by R. R. McIan, from The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, published in 1845.

Today both clans Logan and MacLennan share the same tartan. This tartan was first recorded in 1831 by the historian James Logan, in his book The Scottish Gaël. Later in 1845 The Clans of the Scottish Highlands was published, which consisted of text from Logan, accompanied by illustrations from R. R. McIan. This work was the first which showed the MacLennan's sharing the same tartan as the Logans. The text on the history of Clan Logan pointed to an ancient link between the Logans and MacLennans. The plate for MacLennan, shows a man from this clan wearing the Logan tartan, but no name is given to it unlike every other clan tartan shown. Given the style of writing at the time and subtleties used by both the artist and writer, this is not a surprise and allows them to pay homage to the story of the origin of MacLennan. Until the early nineteenth century there was no such thing as "clan tartans".

An early tartan associated with the names Logan, Skene and Rose.[12]

Today Scottish clans use crest badges, clan badges (plant badges) and tartan as symbols to represent themselves. The crest badge suitable for members of Clan Logan contains the heraldic crest of a passion nail piercing a human heart, Proper;[1] and the heraldic motto HOC MAJORUM VIRTUS, which translates from Latin as "this is valour of my ancestors".[2][13] The plant badge (clan badge) associated with Clan Logan is furze (gorse).[1] According to Robert Bain, the slogan of Clan Logan is Druim-nan-deur (translation from Scottish Gaelic: "the ridge of tears").[1]

The tartan most commonly associated with the surname Logan is identical to that of Clan MacLennan. The sett was first published by James Logan's The Scottish Gaël of 1831.[12] There are however earlier dated tartans which are attributed to the name Logan. One such tartan is usually known as a Skene tartan, though it has sometimes been known as a Rose tartan.[12][14] The official state tartan of Utah is based upon this tartan, in respect of Ephraim Logan who is considered the first American of Scottish descent who left a permanent mark on Utah.[15]

In the drama Law & Order, Detective Mike Logan learns that in his family ancestorial home in Ireland there are only two persons with the Logan surname-one is the Parish priest; the second is his brother who owns a pub and a funeral parlor.

• Major G. J. N. Logan-Home, (1934). "THE History of the Logan Family".

• http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/htol/logan.html
• http://www.clanlogansociety.com/
• http://www.clanlogan.ca/