The Grahams - History?

There are references to Grame or Gryme, a thane or chieftain, right back into Roman times. He, or his descendants, reputedly broke the Antonine wall on several occasions.

The first Norman Graham is recorded when William the Conqueror sent his Norman followers to occupy the land, consolidate his rule and introduce the new feudal system of government.

Scotland's King David I was much taken with this new system of Government, his second wife, Margaret, was distantly related to William the Conqueror. A very able member of the Royal household was William de Graeme, who first appears as a witness to the charter founding the Abbey of Holyrood in 1128.

William is effectively the starting point for the present unbroken line of Montrose Grahams, one of the most distinguished names in Scotland. The Montrose Grahams married twice into the Scottish royal family, if you visit Stirling Castle’s Great Hall you will see in the stained glass windows to the right hand side of the throne the coat of arms of both the Grahams of Montrose and Mentieth from these came some notable men.

First among them was Sir John de Graham, right hand man of the great Scottish patriot Sir William Wallace. Sir John was killed at the battle of Falkirk in 1298.

Second was the Marquis of Montrose, James Graham, well-known as a poet, but above all, the most distinguished soldier of his time. He was martyred in Edinburgh in 1650.

Third was John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee, "Bonnie Dundee" to his friends, "Bloody Clavers" to his enemies. He commanded the Jacobite army who defeated the Williamite army in 1689 at the battle of Killiecrankie.

With thanks to the Clan Graham Association of Scotland. Visit the site