Region Borders | Pipe music Here is the Glen | |
Motto Par Valeur (By Bravery) District Galloway, Northumberland Historic seat Heron, Kirkcudbrightshire | ||
The Clan Heron was one of the lesser Border riding clans, a people who practised raiding and cattle rustling along the Anglo-Scottish border.
Contents
Origins of the Clan
The Clan claims descent from the Herons of Chipchase Castle in Northumberland, in the English Middle-march. In a survey made of the Border in 1522, it was reported that: "Chipchase was the most convenient house for the keeper of Tynedale" and the Herons were described as "A hot tempered race, regularly in trouble with the authorities". It is known that they had a feuds with Clan Tate and Clan Kerr. Many Herons were transported to Ireland during the Ulster plantation, and therefore contributed to the birth of the Ulster-Scots (or "Scots-Irish" people).
The name Heron probably originated from the name "de Hairun" or the name "de Harum" and was also used as a nickname for people of a tall, thin stature and the name can be of either Anglo-Saxon or Norman origin.
History
The Herons held many positions of power on the borders. Walter Heron was the clerk to William the Lion. William Heron was the keeper of Bamburgh Castle in 1248; the keeper of Scarborough Castle in 1255; and the Sheriff of Northumberland between 1246 and 1247. Chipchase Castle in the English Middle-march was held by the Heron family for almost 300 years. The Herons also owned Ford Castle in Northumberland. They were a recorded reiving family in both England and Scotland. In 1300, Gerald Heron fought on the side of Robert the Bruce, and he was rewarded the rich lands of Kirroughtree where a branch of the clan resided for 400 years. The clan was in possession of Kirroughtree until 1889 (when John Heron-Maxwell sold Kirroughtree to Major Arthur Armitage.) A border lord, Sir Gerard Heron, put one thousand men in the saddle to attack William Wallace after he captured Kinclaven Castle. Roger Heron was a charter witness in 1321 in Langton, Berwick. Thomas Heron was a witness to a death in Langton in 1329.
Like other Border families, many Herons were transported to the Ulster Plantation during James's "pacification" of the Borders.