The Clan History

The Clan Kennedy is said to originate from a branch of the Celtic Lords of Galloway and they are associated with the Carrick district of Ayrshire in the far south-west of Scotland. John Kennedy of Dunure and Cassillis married the heiress of the Carrick earls. Their grandson, James Kennedy who married King Robert III's daughter, had two sons. As the grandsons of the King one was created Lord Kennedy in 1457 and the other, James, was appointed Bishop of St. Andrews and became advisor to James II. After the accidental death of James II by a cannon in 1400, Bishop Kennedy assisted his widow in governing and educating the infant James III. He was also regarded as the co-founder of St. Andrews University. Following his death in 1465, his brother Lord Kennedy took part in the palace revolution that made him one of the Regents until James III came of age. This did not however recommend him to the King, but his sucessor, the 3rd Earl, did find favour with James IV and was created Earl of Cassillis in 1509. He was later to fall with his King at Flodden in 1513. His successors also died violently; the 2nd Earl was murdered by Campbell of Loudon and the 3rd died mysteriously returning from Mary Queen of Scots marriage to the Dauphin. The 4th Earl, in his quest for more lands is remembered for "roasting the Abbot of Crossraguel" over a slow fire in his castle at Dunure to force him to surrender the title to the abbey properties. The 6th Earl is also renowned for his merciless treatment. For when his wife fell in love with Johnnie Faa, the gypsy King, also known as Sir John Faa of Dunbar as granted by James V to his ancestors, they eloped together. However they were unfortunately caught by the outraged Earl who hanged Johnnie Faa in front of her eyes and imprisoned her for the rest of her life. The 8th Earl had no children and the title passed to the Kennedys of Culzean descended from the younger son of the 3rd Earl. Archibald fought in the American War of Independence and his son the 12th was created Marquess of Ailsa in 1806. Culzean Castle, the seat of the Kennedys was designed by Robert Adam and is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

Motto: Avise la fin - "Consider the end".
Badge: A dolphin.
Names associated with the clan: HOLMES CASSILIS CASSELLS CASSELLIS CASSILLIS CASSILS CASSELS CARRIK CARRICK CARRIC CARRYK KARRYC KARRICK KINNEDI CANEDIE KENNYDE KENNADEE KENIDE KENNEDY KENEIDY KENNYDY KENNEDI KENEDE KENADIE KENNATY KENNATIE KENYDE KANYDI KENEDY KENNETY KENNEDYE KENNIDE KINYDY KENNETIE KANIDE KYNIDY KYNEIDY MACCUARAIG MACOLRIG MACOULRIC MACOURLIC MACUALRAIG MACUARAIG MACULRIG MACULRIC MACULRICK MACULRICH MACWALRICK MAKOOLRIK MACCUALRAIG