Logan Clan

Logan Clan Crest: A passion-nail, piercing a man's heart.

Logan Clan Motto: Hoc Majorum Virtus (This is the valour of my ancestors).

Logan Clan History:
Two distinct branches of this Family exist, one Highland, usually taking the name MacLennan; the other, Lowland, which descends from Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig who married a daughter of Robert II and, in 1400, became Admiral of Scotland. Over a century earlier, Philippe de Logyn, Burgess of Montrose, and Thurbrand de Logyn of Dumfriesshire had rendered homage to Edward I of England in 1296. 

The surname of Logan, however, is thought to have derived from the place name Logan in Ayrshire. Sir Robert and Sir Walter Logan were among the Scottish nobles who in 1329 set off on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with the heart of Robert the Bruce.  At the Battle of Teba fought against the Moors in Andalucía in Spain they were both were killed.

In 1600, Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig was implicated in the Gowrie Conspiracy and in the aftermath, his lands became forfeit to the Crown.

John Logan (1748-88) was born at Soutra, Midlothian and was ordained to the Parish of South Leith. He wrote, Ode to a Cuckoo. James Logan (1794-1872) was author of The Scottish Gael. Sir William Logan (1798-1875) was a Scottish geologist. Between 1842 and 1871, he directed the Canadian Geological Survey. Jimmy Logan (1921- 2001) was a much loved Scottish entertainer, theatre owner and actor.

A Clan Logan Society was founded in Glasgow in 1913.

Surname distribution in Scotland: The highest concentrations of the Logan name occur in Renfrewshire, Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire, Glasgow City, Stirlingshire, Edinburgh City, Dumfries and Galloway and the Borders.

Places of Interest:
Drumderfit, Ross and Cromarty. Lands held by Logans before 15th century.

Restalrig, Edinburgh. The lands here belonged to the Lestalric Family and passed by marriage to the Logans in the 14th century. They were confiscated following the Gowrie conspiracy.

The Preceptory of Saint Anthony, Edinburgh. The ruins of a small religious establishment founded in 1430 by Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig can be seen on a level of Arthur's Seat, in sight of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Fast Castle, Coldingham, East Lothian. Passed by marriage to Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig in 1580. He died here two years later having been outlawed for his part in the Gowrie Conspiracy.

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