Clan Hunter is a

Scottish clan A Scottish clan (from Gaelic , literally 'children', more broadly 'kindred') is a kinship group among the Scottish people. Clans give a sense of shared identity and descent to members, and in modern times have an official structure recognis ...

.Clan Hunter Profile
scotclans.com. Retrieved 9 October 2013.

History

Origins of the clan

It is likely that the Hunters went to

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to th ...

with

David I of Scotland David I or Dauíd mac Maíl Choluim ( Modern: ''Daibhidh I mac haoilChaluim''; – 24 May 1153) was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians from 1113 to 1124 and later King of Scotland from 1124 to 1153. The youngest son of Malco ...

upon his invitation and were given lands named Hunter's Toune. In 1296 Aylmer le Hunter of the county of

Ayr Ayr (; sco, Ayr; gd, Inbhir Àir, "Mouth of the River Ayr") is a town situated on the southwest coast of Scotland. It is the administrative centre of the South Ayrshire council area and the historic county town of Ayrshire. With a population ...

appears on the

Ragman Rolls Ragman Rolls are the collection of instruments by which the nobility and gentry of Scotland subscribed allegiance to King Edward I of England, during the time between the Conference of Norham in May 1291 and the final award in favour of Balliol ...

submitting to

Edward I of England Edward I (17/18 June 1239 – 7 July 1307), also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England and Lord of Ireland from 1272 to 1307. Concurrently, he ruled the duchies of Duchy of Aquitaine, Aquitaine and D ...

. A charter signed by

Robert II of Scotland Robert II (2 March 1316 – 19 April 1390) was King of Scots from 1371 to his death in 1390. The son of Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland, and Marjorie, daughter of King Robert the Bruce, he was the first monarch of the House of Ste ...

on 2 May 1374 has survived that confirmed a grant of land to William Hunter ''for his faithful service rendered and to be rendered to us in return for a silver penny payable to the Sovereign at Hunterston on the Feast of

Pentecost Pentecost (also called Whit Sunday, Whitsunday or Whitsun) is a Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day (the seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers o ...

''. To this day the Laird of Hunterston, chief of Clan Hunter keeps silver pennies, minted in the reigns of Robert II and

George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother Q ...

in case of a royal visit on the day appointed for payment of her rent. The William Hunter who received this charter is reckoned to have been the tenth Hunter of Hunterston. In earlier records both William Hunter and Norman Hunter appear using the

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...

form of the name, ''Venator''.

15th and 16th centuries

The Hunters were hereditary keepers of the royal forests of Arran and

Little Cumbrae Little Cumbrae ( sco, Wee Cumbrae, gd, Cumaradh Beag) or Little Cumbrae Island is an island in the Firth of Clyde, in North Ayrshire, Scotland. The island is known locally as Wee Cumbrae. Etymology The Gaelic name ''Cumaradh'' means "place of th ...

by the fifteenth century. The family appear to have held this office from an early date and also claim a long descent from people who held similar offices in England and

Normandy Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...

before they came to Scotland. During the sixteenth century the Hunters rendered chiefly military service. John Hunter, the fourteenth Laird was killed with his king at the

Battle of Flodden The Battle of Flodden, Flodden Field, or occasionally Branxton, (Brainston Moor) was a battle fought on 9 September 1513 during the War of the League of Cambrai between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland, resulting in an English ...

in 1513. His son was Robert who was '' trouble with sickness and infirmity'' and was excused from military service in 1542 by

James V of Scotland James V (10 April 1512 – 14 December 1542) was King of Scotland from 9 September 1513 until his death in 1542. He was crowned on 21 September 1513 at the age of seventeen months. James was the son of King James IV and Margaret Tudor, and dur ...

, providing that he sent his eldest son in his place. His son was Mungo who was killed at the

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh The Battle of Pinkie, also known as the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh ( , ), took place on 10 September 1547 on the banks of the River Esk near Musselburgh, Scotland. The last pitched battle between Scotland and England before the Union of the Crow ...

in 1547.

17th century

Successive generations of Hunters were more peaceful Lairds and tended to their estates and looked after their tenants. Robert Hunter who was a son of the twentieth Laird graduated at the

University of Glasgow , image = UofG Coat of Arms.png , image_size = 150px , caption = Coat of arms Flag , latin_name = Universitas Glasguensis , motto = la, Via, Veritas, Vita , ...

in 1643 and was minister of

West Kilbride West Kilbride ( gd, Cille Bhrìghde an Iar) is a village and historic parish in North Ayrshire, Scotland, on the west coast by the Firth of Clyde, looking across the Firth of Clyde to Goat Fell and the Isle of Arran. West Kilbride and adjoining ...

. He bought lands and founded the Hunters of Kirkland branch of the clan. A grandson of the twentieth Laird was another

Robert Hunter Robert Hunter may refer to: Arts * Robert Hunter (painter) (died 1780), Irish portrait painter * Robert Hunter (encyclopædist) (1823–1897), British editor of the ''Encyclopædic Dictionary'' *Robert Hunter (author) (1874–1942), American sociol ...

who served under Marlborough and was

Governor of Virginia The governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia serves as the head of government of Virginia for a four-year term. The incumbent, Glenn Youngkin, was sworn in on January 15, 2022. Oath of office On inauguration day, the Governor-elect takes th ...

and later Governor of New York.

18th and 19th centuries

The family suffered from financial problems in the early eighteenth century. These problems were resolved by yet another Robert Hunter, a younger son of the twenty second Laird who succeeded to the estate and managed it well. He was succeeded by his daughter, Eleanora, who married her cousin, Robert Caldwell. He assumed the name Hunter and together they improved the estate and built the present Hunterston House. Their son had two daughters: Jane Hunter who married Gould Weston and Eleanor who married Robert William Cochran-Patrick.

20th century

Jane Hunter-Weston died in 1911 and was succeeded by her son, Lieutenant General Sir Aylmer Hunter-Weston who served on

Kitchener Kitchener may refer to: People * Earl Kitchener, a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom ** Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener (1850–1916), British Field Marshal and 1st Earl Kitchener ** Henry Kitchener, 2nd Earl Kitchener (1846–1937) ...

's staff during the Egyptian War of 1896. He also served in the

Boer Wars The military history of South Africa chronicles a vast time period and complex events from the dawn of history until the present time. It covers civil wars and wars of aggression and of self-defence both within South Africa and against it. It in ...

and also as a divisional officer of the British Expeditionary Force in

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

. Also during that war he served during the Gallipoli landings and later commanded the 8th Army on the Western Front.

Post clan activity

As times became more settled the Hunters devoted more time to farming their extensive lands, although they still produced soldiers of distinction over the generations. Gould Hunter-Weston, husband of Jane Hunter-Weston (26th Laird) fought in India at Lucknow in 1857 and their eldest son,

Aylmer Aylmer is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Edward Aylmer, Welsh MP * Edward Aylmer (cricketer), first-class cricketer and Royal Navy officer * Felix Aylmer, English stage actor * Sir Fenton Aylmer, 13th Baronet, British Army ...

(27th Laird) was a well-known general in the First World War. He later became Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire. During her tenure as Clan Chief, Eleanora (28th Laird) fought in the courts, but lost, a

compulsory purchase order A compulsory purchase order (CPO; , ) is a legal function in the United Kingdom and Ireland that allows certain bodies to obtain land or property without the consent of the owner. It may be enforced if a proposed development is considered one for p ...

for land at Hunterston to build a nuclear power station. The last Clan Chief, Neil Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk, along with his wife Sonia, Madam Hunter of Hunterston, continued the fight against industrialization. He was well known for his sailing prowess and represented the United Kingdom in two Olympic Games, winning a silver medal at Melbourne in 1956. Like many Hunters before him he was in true tradition an expert in archery. Clan-chief

Chiefs

Lady Pauline Hunter of Hunterston and of that Ilk is the 30th Laird and Chief of Clan Hunter. Her mid-19th century ancestor is reported in May, 1859 as furthering the philanthropic tradition of Clan Hunter; "The Lady of Hunterston tries to elevate and benefit her neighbours in the village of West Kilbride", while her husband, the

Laird Laird () is the owner of a large, long-established Scottish estate. In the traditional Scottish order of precedence, a laird ranked below a baron and above a gentleman. This rank was held only by those lairds holding official recognition in a ...

of Hunterston, "seeks the good of his tenants by provoking emulation amongst them, as regards the quality of their stock".

Clan seat and castle

The seat of the chief of Clan Hunter has been at

Hunterston Castle Hunterston Castle, West Kilbride, North Ayrshire, Scotland is the historic home of the lairds of Clan Hunter. The keep dates from the late 15th, or early 16th centuries, while the attached manor house is of the 17th century. The estate was granted ...

for over 800 years.

Royal Charter

William Huntar of, the 10th laird was granted a Royal Charter by King Robert II of Scotland (1371-1390) signed in Stirling on the 2nd May 1374 for faithful services rendered. This Charter with the Royal Seal is preserved at Hunterston and on display in the castle. It remains the oldest document in the possession of the Hunter Family "(1374.) Acquisition of Arnell. Charter by King Robert the Second to WILLIAM HUNTER, for faithful services rendered to him, of the lands of ARNELL, to be held by the said William Hunter and the heirs-male of his body of the Crown for payment of one penny of silver at Arnell at Whitsunday. The Charter is dated at Stirling the second day of May in the fourth year of the King's reign (1374). " Original Latin: Robertus dei gracia Rex Scottorum omnibus probis hominibus tocius terre sue clericis et laicis Salutem : Sciatis nos dedisse concessisse et hac presenti carta nostra confirmasse dilecto et fideli nostro WILLIELMO HUNTER pro fideli servicio suo nobis impenso et impendendo totam illam terrain de ARNELL cum pertinenciis que fuit Andre Catnbell militis et quam idem Andreas non vi aut metu ductus née errore lapsus set mera et spontanea voluntate sua nobis per f us turn et baculum sursum reddidit pureque et simpliciter resignavit ac totum ius et clameum quod in dicta terra cum pertinenciis habuit seu habere potuit pro se et heredibus suis omnino quietum clamavit in perpetuum. Tenendam et habendam dicto Willielmo et heredibus suis masculis de corpore suo legitime procreatis seu procreandis de nobis et heredibus nostris in feodo et hereditate per omnes rectas metas et divisas suas cum omnibus et singulis libertatibus commoditatibus aysiamentis et iustis pertinenciis quibuscunque ad dictam terram spectantibus seu quoquomodo iuste spectare valentibus in futurum libere quiete plenarie integre bene et in pace. Reddendo inde annua- tim nobis et heredibus nostris dictus Willielmus et heredes sui predicti unum denarium argenti apud dictam terram de Arnell ad festum Pentecostes nomine albe firme tantum pro wardis releviis maritagiis oneribus et aliis serviciis quibus- cunque. In cuius rei testimonium presenti carte nostre nostrum precepimus apponi sigillum. Testibus venerabili in Christo patre Willielmo Episcopo Sancti Andre- Johanne primogenito nostro Comite de Carryk Senescallo Scocie- Roberto Comite de ftyff et de Meneteth filio nostro dilecto. Willielmo Comite de Douglas. Johanne de Carryk Cancellario nostro. Jacobo de Lyndesay nepote nostro -et Roberto de Erskyne- militibus. Apud Strivelyne secundo die Maij anno regni nostri quarto. English Translation: "Robert, by the grace of God, King of Scots, to all good men of his whole land, clerics and laymen, Greeting : Know ye that we have given, granted and by this our present charter have confirmed to our loved and faithful WILLIAM HUNTER, for his faithful service rendered and to be rendered to us, that whole land of ARNELL with pertinents which belonged to Andrew Cambell, Knight, and which the said Andrew, not led by force or fear nor falling into error but of his own free and pure will, gave up and purely and simply resigned to us by staff and baton and wholly renounced in all time coming for himself and his heirs, with all right and title that he had or might have in the said land with the pertinents : To hold and have to the said William and his heirs male lawfully procreate or to be procreated of his body of us and our heirs in fee and heritage by all their right marches and bounds, with all and singular liberties, commodities, easements and just pertinents whatsoever belonging or in what manner soever shall be justly known to belong in future to the said land, freely, quietly, wholly well and in peace. The said William and his heirs foresaid rendering therefor yearly to us and our heirs one penny of silver only at the said land of Arnell at the feast of Pentecost in name of " blench ferme " for wards, reliefs, marriages, burdens and other services whatsoever. In testimony of which thing we have commanded our seal to be appended to our present charter. WMtnesses, the venerable father in Christ, William Bishop of St. Andrews ; John our firstborn Earl of Carryk, Steward of Scotland ; Robert Earl of ffyff and of Meneteth, our beloved son ; William Earl of Douglas ; John of Carryk our Chancellor ; James of Lyndesay our nephew ; and Robert of Erskyne ; Knights. At Strivelyne (Stirling) the second day of May the fourth year of our reign (i.e. 1374)." Hunter charter

Sealed Royal Charter in Cabinet at Hunterston Castle

Tartans

The Clan Hunter tartan was designed in 1983 by Capt. T. Stuart Davidson, the founder of the Scottish Tartan Society. The design or Sett as it is known, has been named Hunter of Hunterston to distinguish it from other Hunter tartans such as: Hunter Russell Mitchell Galbraith sett – A tartan shared between the four families. Hunters of Bute sett – Hunters who sought allegiance from the Stuarts at one time. Hunters of Peebleshire sett – An old branch of the Hunter family.

References

External links

Official website of the Hunter Clan Association in the UKOfficial website of the Hunter Clan Association in CanadaDetailed information about the Hunterston area – home of the Hunter Family and ClanUnofficial website of Clan Hunter

Clan Hunter ScotClans
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hunter Scottish clans Scoto-Norman clans