(Home)(Index)(Chapter I)(Chapter II)(Chapter III)(Chapter IV)(Appendix)

This outline traces the descent of the MacGilchrists of western Glassary from the O'Neil kings of northern Ireland, whose line, it is believed, is traceable to the fourth century.  Also revealed is the relationship between the MacGilchrists and the other families, particularly the MacLachlans, that emerged in the thirteenth century in the regions of Cowal and Knapdale.   Professor W.D.H. Sellar of Edinburgh, who has done research into these families, states that "the lands held and marriage alliances contracted show clearly that they belonged to the first rank of Gaelic aristocracy".  Gilchrist, according to the fifteenth century genealogical manuscript known a "MS 1467", married a daughter of Kennedy, Lord of Carrick.  The families below, all bore the Dalriadic "Lyon" (the rampant lion) in their coat of arms.  Dalriada was the name given to a section of northern Ireland and later including western Scotland in the fifth century.  It was the marriage of Anrothan in the eleventh century to the heiress of Cowal and Knapdale that established the families in western Scotland.

Taken from: W.D.H. Sellar; "FAMILY ORIGINS IN COWAL AND KNAPDALE".  Scottish Studies, Volume 15, Edinburgh, 1971, pp. 21-37.   ("MS 1467" is in the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh)

(Home)(Index)(Chapter I)(Chapter II)(Chapter III)(Chapter IV)(Appendix)