Clan Lindsay

Clan Chief:            29th Chief, the Earl of Crawford lives in Balcarres in Fife.

Origin of Name:    Derived from placename "Lincoln's Island" in England

Gaelic Name:         MacGhille Fhionntaig

Clan Crest:            A swan rising out of a coronet

Clan Motto:            Endure fort (Endure boldly).

Lands:                     Borders, Angus

The Lindsays are a Clan of distinction, coming to prominence in Scotland during the 11th Century and remaining in an honoured position throughout the nation’s proud history. The Lindsays were a powerful Norman family, coming to England with William the Conqueror after he assumed the English throne. The Lindsays were invited to Scotland by David I, and Sir Walter de Lindesay, noted as "noble and knight", was a close companion of the young King. The Clan soon rose in strength, and Walter’s great grandson, Sir William de Lindesay, the Baron of Luffness, was a member of the 1164 Parliament and held the title of Justiciar of East Lothian. The Clan possessed the lands of Crawford in Lanarkshire, and later acquired Glenesk in Angus through David Lindsay’s marriage to the heiress of the Earldom of Angus in 1340. The Lindsays continued to be an honoured Clan, and by 1256 Sir David Lindsay was the High Chamberlain of Scotland. Sir David later accompanied Louis of France on the Crusade to the Holy Land, where he died in 1268.

Clan Lindsay’s name has always been linked to bold acts of gallantry performed for the sake of Scotland. Sir David’s son Alexander was a steadfast companion of the great William Wallace in his campaigns for the independence of Scotland. This commitment to a free Scotland was shared by Alexander’s son David, who was one of the barons to petition the Pope with the Declaration of Arbroath, asserting their nation’s independence. Another Sir David de Lindsay entered a tournament at London Bridge in 1390, where he soundly defeated Richard II’s English champion. Sir David unhorsed the Englishman, but chose to spare his opponent’s life, an act which earned him the admiration of the English king. In 1398, Sir David was created the Earl of Crawford, later becoming the High Admiral of Scotland and ambassador to England. The Lindsays continued to enjoy royal favour, with the 5th Earl becoming successively Lord High Admiral of Scotland, Master of the Royal Household, Lord Chamberlain& High Justiciary.

The Lindsays’ support for the Stuart kings of Scotland was not without its costs, and the Clan often made great sacrifices for their monarches. The 6th Earl was slain at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, laying his life down on the battlefield next to his king, James IV of Scotland. Clan Lindsay fought beside Charles I against Oliver Cromwell’s Roundhead army during the devastating 16th Century Civil War. This committment of the House of Stuart continued to their support for the Jacobite cause and the campaign for the Stuart’s rightful restoration to the British throne. Colin, 3rd Earl of Balcarres, fought in the unsuccessful 1715 Rising but was so respected that he escaped any punishment. The Clan Lindsay crest is a swan rising out of a coronet and the proud Lindsay clan motto reads "Endure fort" meaning "Endure with strength".

The 29th Chief, the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, is the Premier Earl of Scotland, and resides at Balcarres in the district of Fife, Scotland.

The Clan Lindsay crest is a swan rising out of a coronet and the proud Lindsay clan motto reads "Endure fort" meaning "Endure boldly".