Plant badge Fleur-de-lis | Last Chief Simon Carruthers | |
 | ||
Motto Promptus Et Fidelis (Ready and faithful) Historic seat Mouswald TowerHolmains Castle (Howmains)Dormont House | ||
Clan Carruthers is a Lowland Scottish clan of the Scottish Borders. The clan is officially recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; however, as the clan does not currently have a clan chief that is recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms it is considered an armigerous clan.
Contents
Origins of the clan
The surname of Carruthers has arisen in Dumfriesshire and it appears to allude to the ancient British fort called Caer Rydderch or Rythyr. The historian George Fraser Black asserted that this means fort of Rydderch, with Ryderch appearing to be a form of personal name.
In the thirteenth century the chiefly family of Carruthers rose to become stewards of Annandale under the Clan Bruce. The historian George Fraser Black writes of Nigel de Karruthers, a cleric who was also Rector of Ruthwell in 1380, and rose to become Canon of Glasgow Cathedral in 1351. He was also named as chancellor to Robert, High Steward of Scotland in 1344. At around the same time the chiefly family of Carruthers acquired the lands of Musfald (now called Mouswald).
16th century
The Carruthers of Mouswald line came to an end with Simon Carruthers who was killed in 1548 during a border raid, and his daughters were placed under the guardianship of the Clan Douglas. The Carruthers of Howmains line, however, continued to prosper and in 1542 their lands were erected into a free barony. John Carruthers of Howmains was indicted, along with Edward Irvine of Bonshaw (chief of Clan Irvine), for an assault on Kirkpatrick of Closeburn (chief of Clan Kirkpatrick) in 1563, as well as for slaying several other persons. In 1587 the Clan Carruthers was included on the roll of "unruly clans" in the West Marches.
18th century to modern period
The Carruther's estate of Howmains was lost in 1772 when a financial disaster overwhelmed the family. However, a younger son of the family acquired the estate of Dormont in Dumfrieshsire, and the family still holds it to the present day.
A notable member of the clan was Colonel Francis Carruthers who served in Egypt and in the Boer War. From 1915 to 1919 he was assistant director at the War Office. He was also a brigadier in the Royal Company of Archers (the monarch's body guard in Scotland) as well as being Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries.
Clan Castles
Castles that have been owned by the Clan Carruthers have included amongst others: