Hannay Clan
Hannay Crest: Between the horns of a crescent, a cross crosslet, fitched, in pale, Sable.
Hannay Clan Motto: Per Ardua Ad Alta (Through difficulties to high things).
Hannay Clan History:
This family originated in Galloway. Gilbert de Hannethes of the county of Wiggetone rendered homage to Edward I in 1296. John of Hanna was master of a ship for James I in 1424. The earliest known owners of Sorbie Tower were the Anglo-Norman family of Viponts, Lords of Westmorland, who acquired the manor in 1185. Records from the 13th century are sparse, but it is believed that the change in ownership came about through marriage to a Hannay, as the family mottos are very similar.
The Hannays were followers of John Balliol who, through his mother, the Lady Devorgilla, represented the old Celtic Lordship of Galloway. In 1308, they were forced to submit to Robert the Bruce's brother Edward when he conquered Galloway
The Hannays took part in the Battle of Sauchieburn. They accompanied James IV on his pilgrimage to St Ninian's Shrine at Whithorn, and fought at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. James Hannay was Master Gunner in the reign of James V. The Hannays continually feuded and allied themselves with the Kennedys and Dunbars, and in 1601 were outlawed for their behaviour towards the Murrays of Broughton. This resulted in large numbers of the name emigrating to Ulster, where the name is still found in Antrim, County Down and Armagh.
The Hannays of Kirkdale held lands between Creetown and Gatehouse-of-Fleet from the 16th century. They also owned Rosco Castle, at Gatehouse-of-Fleet, and Sorbie Tower, seven miles south of Wigtown. Other branches of the family included Grennan, Knock, Garrie, Kingsmuir and Mochrum. Sorbie Tower is today owned by the Clan Hannay Society which was was formed in 1959.
In 1532, Alexander Hannay, uncle of Patrick Hannay of Sorbie, acquired the Kirkdale estate. His descendant, Sir Samuel Hannay, was in the service of the Emperor of Austria and returned to Scotland to build a fine mansion house on his inherited lands, allegedly inspiring Sir Walter Scott's novel Guy Mannering. He died unmarried in 1841 and was succeeded by his sister. The Chiefship then passed to a nephew William Rainsford, who adopted the additional surname of Hannay. The current Chief of the name is David Hannay of Kirkdale of that Ilk.
The Reverend James Hannay (d.1661) was Minister of Kilmaurs, then of Canongate Kirk, from 1625 to 1635. In 1637, he attempted to read the Episcopal Liturgy in St Giles Kirk and caused a riot. He was deposed by the Glasgow Assembly. James Hannay (1827-73) was born in Dumfries. He edited the Edinburgh Courrant from 1860 to 1864, and from 1868, was British Consul in Barcelona. His novels included Singleton Fontenoy (1850) and Eustace Conyers (1855)
Places of Interest: Kirkdale, between Creetown and Gatehouse-of-Fleet has been the family seat of the Hannays of Kirkdale since 1532. The house here was built by Robert Adam. Rusco Castle, near Gatehouse-of-Fleet, was owned by the Hannays from 1786. Sorbie Tower, near Wigtown was the ancient Hannay stronghold until the middle of the 17th century.
Clan Hannay membership certificates.