While the
MacMurtries are most commonly found in Ayrshire, MacMurtrie is
considered a sept of Clan Stuart of Bute.
In The
Clans, Septs & Regiments of the Scottish Highlands, Frank
Adam lists MacMurtrie as a sept of Stewart of Bute. He states: "Dr. Alexander
MacBain makes the name MacMutrie (sic) synonymous with that of
MacKirdie, and assigns a probable derivation of Muircheartach
(or 'sea ruler').'
Ulster Ancestry
indicates 'MacCurdy is common on the islands of
Arran and Bute, where it is a variant of MacMurtrie, a sept of
Clan Stuart of Bute.'
In
The Surnames of Ireland,
Edward MacLysaght indicates that
MacMurtrie is, in fact, a sept of the
Scottish clan Stuart of Bute.
George
Fraser Black, author of
The Surnames of Scotland,
notes that MacMurtrie is
a form of MacKirdie, and that 'Gilbert Makmurtye was a witness in
Edinburgh, 1508.'
The Clan
The Court of
the Lord Lyon recognizes Clan Stuart of Bute.
The Stuarts of Bute
are direct descendants of King Robert the Bruce.
They were an Anglo-Norman family who came to
Scotland in the 11th Century and took their name
from the ancient office of High Steward of
Scotland.
By around 1200, they were in possession of the
Lordship of Bute and began to make their mark on
Scottish history. In 1298, Sir John Stewart and
his Brandanes, the men of Bute, were wiped out
fighting alongside Sir William Wallace against
the English. However, his family continued to
prosper and pass down the name until
this very day.
The Stuarts of
Bute have been on the Isle of Bute for over 700
years and on the present site for almost three
centuries. The family have been prominent in
diplomacy, military affairs and politics. They
are great benefactors and noted patrons of
artists, writers and architects.
