Appendix 5 - Thomas Smibert on (Clan) Gunn origin, MacHamish, Keiths / Caiths ...
5. Concerning the Gunns, according to Thomas Smibert 1850
The individual chapters can be downloaded as pdfs from latrobe.academia.edu/AlastairGunn
The following is from pages 170-173 of (ed.) Thomas Smibert, The Clans of the Highlands of Scotland Being an Account of their Annals, Separately & Collectively with Delineations of their Tartans, and Family Arms, 1850 Edinburgh, James Hogg. Smibert provides an interesting take on Gunn history; note the lack of Orkney Gunn origin, the Gaelic / Celtic origin of the name, his reading of the Keith battles as being with ‘Caiths’ness people and his view that MacHamish is nothing but a sept name.
*****
‘CLAN GUNN
Most writers on the annals of the Scottish Highlanders do not reckon the Clan Gunn as among the septs entitled to a full or separate notice at all. It strikes us however that they are perhaps among the very purest remnants of the Gael to be found about Sutherlandshire and the adjoining parts. So thinks Stewart of Garth, obviously, since he takes care in mapping the territories of the clans, to allude to Sutherlandshire as including the Gunns or Clan Guinn. It is probable that they belong mainly to the same stock which produced the great body of the Sutherland population, that latter name having been adopted, as already explained, from the title given to the region by the Norsemen, and not being connected with the true origin of the Gaelic natives.
There are several stories on record respecting the descent of the Gunns (Guns or Guins). … The name seems to be Gaelic or Celtic, and identical with that of Gwynne, so common among the Celts or Gwaelsh of the west of England. The word in the Erse tongue has certain meanings, rendering it not inappropriate as a name for a wild tribe of mountaineers in the old days. As a substantive, guin signifies “fierceness,” and also “pain,” “a wound,” “a sting,” “a dart;” while as a verb, it means “to wound pierce or sting;” and, as an adjective, framed from the same root, it has the sense of “sharp keen bitterly malicious.” So say Drs Norman Macleod and Daniel Dewar in their Gaelic dictionary. It therefore seems likely that guin was a generic term applied to some of the rudest and most northerly of the Scottish Highlanders in very early times, as well as to the hill men of Wales, similarly situated. The name of the Siol Cuinn, applied to the Highlanders of Argyle, is probably the very same name. However, the names are now Gunn and Wynne, according to the common modes of spelling …
In short we repeat our belief that the name of Gunn had a generic origin, indicating a “fierce” tribe; and that they had been so christened by those around them who first possessed or attained to any knowledge of the art of nomenclature, or had occasion for its use. Nor need the Clan Gunn distress themselves about the barbarism thus “nominally” imputed to their sires. Even the general name of “Scots” appears to come from an Erse term signifying, in its mildest sense, “wanderers;” the Belgae, again, were “ravagers;” while multitudes of other entire nations cannot boast even of such decent sources for their designations. These, however, became commonly permanent, simply because the Romans (in most instances) moulded the primitive terms which struck their fancy, or came in their way, into their own tongue, in referring to the countries conquered by them; and because nearly all the early learning of these said countries sprung from and through them, the first native historians having no other written languages at command, save the classical ones, and especially the Latin. It may be thought that this subject has been too much dwelt upon, considering the Gunns to have long been but a secondary sept of Sutherlandshire; but, in reality, the question has a general bearing. Such native stories as that of “Guin the Dane” cannot stand, in our eyes, against the more common-sense view of the subject, although these stories may be found in manuscripts two or three hundred years old. One word of one able and educated historian is generally of far greater worth than hundreds of merely traditional tales recorded by men unknown, and men for the most part plainly unqualified for the task of repeating even hearsays of hearsays correctly and intelligibly. Every person of ordinary sense must have noticed, besides, how inconsistent is the conduct commonly of those who love to refer to old MSS. They will often laugh loudly when pointing to witch-stories, appearances of the devil, and so forth; and yet in the next sentence will they gravely accept the reporters of these as authorities on ancient genealogical and historical questions of moment, though the same blinded ignorance must have actuated the writers on the one point as well as the others, and though sound and really credible annalists may have told a very different tale.
The Gunns are represented as living mainly, as far as they were a separate sept, to the north of Dunrobin Castle, which stands on the eastern coast of Sutherlandshire. … Several traditions respecting the Gunns are current in their native district. The following is curious … “Keiths” mentioned are plainly the men of Kaithness merely; and the word “crowner” (if we are to interpret the Gaelic word chruner as crowner) seems to imply merely the judicial agent or representative of the superior lords of the country.
“Towards the end of the fifteenth century the chief of the Clan Gun (or Gunn here adopted as the best form of the name) was George Gunn, who lived in feudal dignity in his then impregnable castle of Halbury; but he was better known as Crowner Gunn, or as he was called by the Highlanders, “N’m Braistach-more,” from a great brooch which he wore as the badge or cognisance of his office of crowner He had a deadly feud with the chief of the Keiths; and having met in St Tyre's chapel for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation, but without success, they were solemnly agreed to decide their quarrel, if they could not do so amicably on a future day, by equal combat between twelve sons or relatives of each chieftain. The crowner and the leader of the Keiths approached each other in full armour; but it was soon discovered by the Gunns that there were two riders on every horse in the party of the Keiths, and consequently the latter party had twenty-four men opposed to the twelve followers of the crowner. This vile stratagem instantly revealed to the Gunns that their destruction, by unfair means, was determined upon. They scorned, notwithstanding the great odds against them, to retreat before their enemies the Keiths; and fought most desperately, but could not withstand the great odds that opposed them. After a long-continued struggle, the survivors on both sides were so much exhausted that the combat was mutually dropped - the Keiths being so far the victors as to leave the field with their banner displayed, and to be able to carry with them their slain companions; while in the ranks of the Gunns, the crowner and seven of his party were killed, and the remaining five were all severely wounded. The Keiths proceeded to Dilred Castle in Strathmore, then occupied by Sutherland of Dilred, where they were hospitably entertained. The five surviving Gunns, who were all sons of the crowner, also retired, but tarried at another stream, since then called Alt Torquil after Torquil Gunn, one of the survivors, who there dressed the wounds of his brothers. Towards evening Henry-beg, the youngest of the surviving brothers of the Gunns, proposed that they should follow the Keiths and endeavour to obtain revenge, even by stratagem such as the Keiths had recourse to. They arrived at Dilred Castle soon after nightfall. On approaching the castle, its wooden windows or shutters were found open, and around a large fire in the lowest apartment the survivors of the Keithe were quaffing bumpers of ale; and Henry, who went close to one of the windows, heard them narrate, with boisterous delight, the losses sustained by the Gunns. The chief of the Keiths, not apprehensive of any danger, accidentally approached the window where Henry stood, and the latter then bent his bow, and in another instant his arrow pierced the chieftain's heart; Henry at the same time boldly accompanying the deadly flight of his arrow with the exclamation (afterwards used in the North Highlands as a proverb) of “The Gunn’s compliments to Keith.” The old chief dropped down dead; a panic seized the other Keiths; and the three Gunns, having darted forward to the door of the cattle, slew some of the first persons who ventured out by it; but finding that they could not retain their position long, Henry and his two brothers retired silently under cover of the darkness of the night, and hurried back to the assistance of the other brothers, who had been unable to accompany them.”
Other stories are told of the Gunns, but their history in old days, as observed, is chiefly mixed up with the general annals of the Sutherland and Caithness tribes. In the “Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland” written up to 1630 by Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstone, and continued to 1651 by another party, several notices of the Clan Gunn occur incidentally. At a skirmish which took place in A.D. 1517 “William Mackames-Wick-Chruner (the name being plainly the same as “Crowner” just noticed) cheeff of the Clan Gunn in Southerland” was present against the Mackys or Mackays and gave them a signal defeat, two or three hundred men being slain on the unsuccessful side. The exact words of Sir R. Gordon writing not very long afterwards, are – “Their wer two hundred of the Strathnaver men slain, theirtie two of the Seill (Siol) Faill and fyfteen of the Seill-Thomas. The commander of the vanquished in this affair is called “Neill-Mackean-Mack-Angus” and his brother is styled John Moir-Mackean from whom “descended a race of people called the Slaight-Ean-Voir,” which means the race of John the Great. The whole of this extract proves accuracy in Gaelic nomenclature to be a point utterly unattainable. Indeed, this battle with the “Mackys” may only be a version of the fight with the Keiths. The name of Keith (odd as it may seem) is easily changed into Mac-Kays or Mac-Kaiths. The common source of the people is further made obvious in reality.
Sir Robert Gordon proceeds to say that “William Mackames (cheiftane of the Clangun), heer mentioned, was called Cattigh. He wes borne and bred in Southerland. From him are descended the Clangun that dwell at this day in Strathully. They have alwyse since that tyme had the lands of Killeirnan for ther service, from the Earles of Southerland, unto whom they have ever been both trusty and faithfull.”
It is plain, from these and other incidents, that the people of Sutherland Caithness and Moray, were always named from their localities when viewed en masse, and from their immediate sires when spoken of specially, having no baptismal registrations. The Sutherland men are spoken of always as fighting with southern parties of the name of “John-Roy-Moray,” and such like; or else they fought with Mackians or Mackys on their northern borders. Mackames (which means Macjames or Machamish) seems to be the oldest Gaelic sept name of the Gunns. The point is not of peculiar moment, the conclusion being clear that they are true Celtic Highlanders.
At the close of the sixteenth century, there seem indeed to have occurred bloody feuds betwixt the Sutherland and Caithness men, or, in other words, betwixt the Gunns and a branch of the Mackays. Sir Robert Gordon says, that the horrible encounters, the bloodshed, the spoiling, together with “their asperous names,” prevent him from giving details. The Clan Gunn appear to have come by the worst at times between the Caithness and Sutherland earls. At a meeting of the two (says Sir Robert Gordon) “it was concluded amongst them that some of the Clangun should be made away;” and the poor Clan Gunn seemed destined to destruction. The business ended in that final separation of the Gunns from the Mackays and Sinclairs, to whom they had been before attached, which has been mentioned. Sir R Gordon says on the subject of the tribe; -" The Clangun are a race of people dwelling within the diocese of Catteness and are divyded among the thrie countries of Southerland Catteness and Strathnaver. They are verie courageous, rather desperat than valiant.” They came at last from under the power of the Mackays and Sinclairs, as said, and such of the tribe as have still dwelt in Southerland have ever been faithful to their masters, the earles of Southerland. Their “commander and chieftane is called Mack-wick-Kames, and remaineth alwyse in Killiernan in Strathully, wher he hath some landes and possessions from the earles of Southerland, as a fee for his service.” Alluding to his own time, the chronicler adds and interpolates the remark, that “John Robson (Mackames) chiftain of the Clangun in Catteness, did now of late, the yeir of God 1618, mak his refuge of Southerland, having fallen out with the Earle of Catteness and Мackу; so that this whole surname doth for the present depend altogether upon the house of Southerland.”
It was in the year 1586 that the Gunns were pursued both by the men of Caithness and Sutherland. Almost by chance they fought the former and beat them. This proved the critical event in the fortunes of the Gunn family. At first, indeed, both the Caithness and Sutherland earls turned their powers against the sept, and took captive the next chief George (Mack-ean Mack-rob) Gunn after a skirmish in which he fought most stoutly, and being vanquished, threw himself into a lake, “sore-wounded,” to make a last struggle for life and liberty. After being liberated, as it is said, he attached himself to the party to whom he deemed himself most deeply indebted, the Earl of Sutherland; and the clan and family became fixed adherents, as related, of that noble house. It was not until the year 1619, however, that they were formally dispossessed of all their lands held under the Caithness family, and also of their holdings under the Mackays; whereupon the whole “retired themselves with their families, into Sutherland.” Alexander (Davidson or) Gunn and his race were placed by Sir Robert Gordon in Strathully. Some small portions of the old Caithness possessions, however, were afterwards recovered.
It is clear, from this whole and rather confused story, that the Gunns had been a branch of the purest aborigines of the north. The Sinclairs and such like baronial incomers might gain the upper hand as rulers through regal favours and other causes; but they could not materially change the breed of the people.
It is remarkable enough, that the admitted head of this genuine tribe of the indigenous Gael of northern Scotland, George Gunn Esq., of Sutherlandshire, holds at this hour nearly the same position, relatively to the main lords of the soil, that the before-mentioned crowner, or justiciary of the same family, seems to have held two or three centuries since. ….’
The individual chapters can be downloaded as pdfs from latrobe.academia.edu/AlastairGunn
The following is from pages 170-173 of (ed.) Thomas Smibert, The Clans of the Highlands of Scotland Being an Account of their Annals, Separately & Collectively with Delineations of their Tartans, and Family Arms, 1850 Edinburgh, James Hogg. Smibert provides an interesting take on Gunn history; note the lack of Orkney Gunn origin, the Gaelic / Celtic origin of the name, his reading of the Keith battles as being with ‘Caiths’ness people and his view that MacHamish is nothing but a sept name.
*****
‘CLAN GUNN
Most writers on the annals of the Scottish Highlanders do not reckon the Clan Gunn as among the septs entitled to a full or separate notice at all. It strikes us however that they are perhaps among the very purest remnants of the Gael to be found about Sutherlandshire and the adjoining parts. So thinks Stewart of Garth, obviously, since he takes care in mapping the territories of the clans, to allude to Sutherlandshire as including the Gunns or Clan Guinn. It is probable that they belong mainly to the same stock which produced the great body of the Sutherland population, that latter name having been adopted, as already explained, from the title given to the region by the Norsemen, and not being connected with the true origin of the Gaelic natives.
There are several stories on record respecting the descent of the Gunns (Guns or Guins). … The name seems to be Gaelic or Celtic, and identical with that of Gwynne, so common among the Celts or Gwaelsh of the west of England. The word in the Erse tongue has certain meanings, rendering it not inappropriate as a name for a wild tribe of mountaineers in the old days. As a substantive, guin signifies “fierceness,” and also “pain,” “a wound,” “a sting,” “a dart;” while as a verb, it means “to wound pierce or sting;” and, as an adjective, framed from the same root, it has the sense of “sharp keen bitterly malicious.” So say Drs Norman Macleod and Daniel Dewar in their Gaelic dictionary. It therefore seems likely that guin was a generic term applied to some of the rudest and most northerly of the Scottish Highlanders in very early times, as well as to the hill men of Wales, similarly situated. The name of the Siol Cuinn, applied to the Highlanders of Argyle, is probably the very same name. However, the names are now Gunn and Wynne, according to the common modes of spelling …
In short we repeat our belief that the name of Gunn had a generic origin, indicating a “fierce” tribe; and that they had been so christened by those around them who first possessed or attained to any knowledge of the art of nomenclature, or had occasion for its use. Nor need the Clan Gunn distress themselves about the barbarism thus “nominally” imputed to their sires. Even the general name of “Scots” appears to come from an Erse term signifying, in its mildest sense, “wanderers;” the Belgae, again, were “ravagers;” while multitudes of other entire nations cannot boast even of such decent sources for their designations. These, however, became commonly permanent, simply because the Romans (in most instances) moulded the primitive terms which struck their fancy, or came in their way, into their own tongue, in referring to the countries conquered by them; and because nearly all the early learning of these said countries sprung from and through them, the first native historians having no other written languages at command, save the classical ones, and especially the Latin. It may be thought that this subject has been too much dwelt upon, considering the Gunns to have long been but a secondary sept of Sutherlandshire; but, in reality, the question has a general bearing. Such native stories as that of “Guin the Dane” cannot stand, in our eyes, against the more common-sense view of the subject, although these stories may be found in manuscripts two or three hundred years old. One word of one able and educated historian is generally of far greater worth than hundreds of merely traditional tales recorded by men unknown, and men for the most part plainly unqualified for the task of repeating even hearsays of hearsays correctly and intelligibly. Every person of ordinary sense must have noticed, besides, how inconsistent is the conduct commonly of those who love to refer to old MSS. They will often laugh loudly when pointing to witch-stories, appearances of the devil, and so forth; and yet in the next sentence will they gravely accept the reporters of these as authorities on ancient genealogical and historical questions of moment, though the same blinded ignorance must have actuated the writers on the one point as well as the others, and though sound and really credible annalists may have told a very different tale.
The Gunns are represented as living mainly, as far as they were a separate sept, to the north of Dunrobin Castle, which stands on the eastern coast of Sutherlandshire. … Several traditions respecting the Gunns are current in their native district. The following is curious … “Keiths” mentioned are plainly the men of Kaithness merely; and the word “crowner” (if we are to interpret the Gaelic word chruner as crowner) seems to imply merely the judicial agent or representative of the superior lords of the country.
“Towards the end of the fifteenth century the chief of the Clan Gun (or Gunn here adopted as the best form of the name) was George Gunn, who lived in feudal dignity in his then impregnable castle of Halbury; but he was better known as Crowner Gunn, or as he was called by the Highlanders, “N’m Braistach-more,” from a great brooch which he wore as the badge or cognisance of his office of crowner He had a deadly feud with the chief of the Keiths; and having met in St Tyre's chapel for the purpose of effecting a reconciliation, but without success, they were solemnly agreed to decide their quarrel, if they could not do so amicably on a future day, by equal combat between twelve sons or relatives of each chieftain. The crowner and the leader of the Keiths approached each other in full armour; but it was soon discovered by the Gunns that there were two riders on every horse in the party of the Keiths, and consequently the latter party had twenty-four men opposed to the twelve followers of the crowner. This vile stratagem instantly revealed to the Gunns that their destruction, by unfair means, was determined upon. They scorned, notwithstanding the great odds against them, to retreat before their enemies the Keiths; and fought most desperately, but could not withstand the great odds that opposed them. After a long-continued struggle, the survivors on both sides were so much exhausted that the combat was mutually dropped - the Keiths being so far the victors as to leave the field with their banner displayed, and to be able to carry with them their slain companions; while in the ranks of the Gunns, the crowner and seven of his party were killed, and the remaining five were all severely wounded. The Keiths proceeded to Dilred Castle in Strathmore, then occupied by Sutherland of Dilred, where they were hospitably entertained. The five surviving Gunns, who were all sons of the crowner, also retired, but tarried at another stream, since then called Alt Torquil after Torquil Gunn, one of the survivors, who there dressed the wounds of his brothers. Towards evening Henry-beg, the youngest of the surviving brothers of the Gunns, proposed that they should follow the Keiths and endeavour to obtain revenge, even by stratagem such as the Keiths had recourse to. They arrived at Dilred Castle soon after nightfall. On approaching the castle, its wooden windows or shutters were found open, and around a large fire in the lowest apartment the survivors of the Keithe were quaffing bumpers of ale; and Henry, who went close to one of the windows, heard them narrate, with boisterous delight, the losses sustained by the Gunns. The chief of the Keiths, not apprehensive of any danger, accidentally approached the window where Henry stood, and the latter then bent his bow, and in another instant his arrow pierced the chieftain's heart; Henry at the same time boldly accompanying the deadly flight of his arrow with the exclamation (afterwards used in the North Highlands as a proverb) of “The Gunn’s compliments to Keith.” The old chief dropped down dead; a panic seized the other Keiths; and the three Gunns, having darted forward to the door of the cattle, slew some of the first persons who ventured out by it; but finding that they could not retain their position long, Henry and his two brothers retired silently under cover of the darkness of the night, and hurried back to the assistance of the other brothers, who had been unable to accompany them.”
Other stories are told of the Gunns, but their history in old days, as observed, is chiefly mixed up with the general annals of the Sutherland and Caithness tribes. In the “Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland” written up to 1630 by Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstone, and continued to 1651 by another party, several notices of the Clan Gunn occur incidentally. At a skirmish which took place in A.D. 1517 “William Mackames-Wick-Chruner (the name being plainly the same as “Crowner” just noticed) cheeff of the Clan Gunn in Southerland” was present against the Mackys or Mackays and gave them a signal defeat, two or three hundred men being slain on the unsuccessful side. The exact words of Sir R. Gordon writing not very long afterwards, are – “Their wer two hundred of the Strathnaver men slain, theirtie two of the Seill (Siol) Faill and fyfteen of the Seill-Thomas. The commander of the vanquished in this affair is called “Neill-Mackean-Mack-Angus” and his brother is styled John Moir-Mackean from whom “descended a race of people called the Slaight-Ean-Voir,” which means the race of John the Great. The whole of this extract proves accuracy in Gaelic nomenclature to be a point utterly unattainable. Indeed, this battle with the “Mackys” may only be a version of the fight with the Keiths. The name of Keith (odd as it may seem) is easily changed into Mac-Kays or Mac-Kaiths. The common source of the people is further made obvious in reality.
Sir Robert Gordon proceeds to say that “William Mackames (cheiftane of the Clangun), heer mentioned, was called Cattigh. He wes borne and bred in Southerland. From him are descended the Clangun that dwell at this day in Strathully. They have alwyse since that tyme had the lands of Killeirnan for ther service, from the Earles of Southerland, unto whom they have ever been both trusty and faithfull.”
It is plain, from these and other incidents, that the people of Sutherland Caithness and Moray, were always named from their localities when viewed en masse, and from their immediate sires when spoken of specially, having no baptismal registrations. The Sutherland men are spoken of always as fighting with southern parties of the name of “John-Roy-Moray,” and such like; or else they fought with Mackians or Mackys on their northern borders. Mackames (which means Macjames or Machamish) seems to be the oldest Gaelic sept name of the Gunns. The point is not of peculiar moment, the conclusion being clear that they are true Celtic Highlanders.
At the close of the sixteenth century, there seem indeed to have occurred bloody feuds betwixt the Sutherland and Caithness men, or, in other words, betwixt the Gunns and a branch of the Mackays. Sir Robert Gordon says, that the horrible encounters, the bloodshed, the spoiling, together with “their asperous names,” prevent him from giving details. The Clan Gunn appear to have come by the worst at times between the Caithness and Sutherland earls. At a meeting of the two (says Sir Robert Gordon) “it was concluded amongst them that some of the Clangun should be made away;” and the poor Clan Gunn seemed destined to destruction. The business ended in that final separation of the Gunns from the Mackays and Sinclairs, to whom they had been before attached, which has been mentioned. Sir R Gordon says on the subject of the tribe; -" The Clangun are a race of people dwelling within the diocese of Catteness and are divyded among the thrie countries of Southerland Catteness and Strathnaver. They are verie courageous, rather desperat than valiant.” They came at last from under the power of the Mackays and Sinclairs, as said, and such of the tribe as have still dwelt in Southerland have ever been faithful to their masters, the earles of Southerland. Their “commander and chieftane is called Mack-wick-Kames, and remaineth alwyse in Killiernan in Strathully, wher he hath some landes and possessions from the earles of Southerland, as a fee for his service.” Alluding to his own time, the chronicler adds and interpolates the remark, that “John Robson (Mackames) chiftain of the Clangun in Catteness, did now of late, the yeir of God 1618, mak his refuge of Southerland, having fallen out with the Earle of Catteness and Мackу; so that this whole surname doth for the present depend altogether upon the house of Southerland.”
It was in the year 1586 that the Gunns were pursued both by the men of Caithness and Sutherland. Almost by chance they fought the former and beat them. This proved the critical event in the fortunes of the Gunn family. At first, indeed, both the Caithness and Sutherland earls turned their powers against the sept, and took captive the next chief George (Mack-ean Mack-rob) Gunn after a skirmish in which he fought most stoutly, and being vanquished, threw himself into a lake, “sore-wounded,” to make a last struggle for life and liberty. After being liberated, as it is said, he attached himself to the party to whom he deemed himself most deeply indebted, the Earl of Sutherland; and the clan and family became fixed adherents, as related, of that noble house. It was not until the year 1619, however, that they were formally dispossessed of all their lands held under the Caithness family, and also of their holdings under the Mackays; whereupon the whole “retired themselves with their families, into Sutherland.” Alexander (Davidson or) Gunn and his race were placed by Sir Robert Gordon in Strathully. Some small portions of the old Caithness possessions, however, were afterwards recovered.
It is clear, from this whole and rather confused story, that the Gunns had been a branch of the purest aborigines of the north. The Sinclairs and such like baronial incomers might gain the upper hand as rulers through regal favours and other causes; but they could not materially change the breed of the people.
It is remarkable enough, that the admitted head of this genuine tribe of the indigenous Gael of northern Scotland, George Gunn Esq., of Sutherlandshire, holds at this hour nearly the same position, relatively to the main lords of the soil, that the before-mentioned crowner, or justiciary of the same family, seems to have held two or three centuries since. ….’