Hunter Clan

Hunter Clan Crest: A hound, gorged with an antique crown.

Hunter Clan Motto: Cursum Perficio (I accomplish my course).

Hunter Clan History:

The Hunters are said to have accompanied William the Conqueror's wife, Queen Matilda, from Normandy to England, and they arrived in Scotland in the 12th century at the invitation of David I. Aylmer le Hunter rendered homage to Edward I of England in 1296. The lands of Hunterston were gifted to William Hunter by Robert II in 1374 in return for a silver coin payable to the Sovereign on the Feast of Pentecost.

The Hunters were Hereditary Keepers of the Royal Forests of Arran and Little Cumbrae and loyal supporters of the Royal House of Stewart. John, 14th Laird of Hunterston, died at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Mungo, 17th Laird of Hunterston, died at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547.

In the following centuries the Hunters of Hunterston dedicated themselves to the improvement of their estates.  Over this period, the Chiefship passed through the female line on two occasions, and the present Clan Chief, Madam Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk and 30th Laird, continues to develop the Clan Hunter Associations worldwide

Surname distribution in Scotland: The highest concentrations of the Hunter name occur in Stirlingshire, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Fife, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.

Places of Interest:
Hunterston Castle, West Kilbride, Ayrshire. The 13th century castle stands in the grounds of the privately owned Hunterston House.

Hunter's Quay, Dunoon, Argyllshire is named after the Hunters of Hafton House who, in the mid-19th century, bought up this coastline.
 
The Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow houses the art collection assembled by the physician William Hunter (1718-83).

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