The Early History of Clan Gordon

Tradition carries the origin and surname of Gordon far back into bygone ages. It is said that there was a tribe in Gaul called Gordon before the Christian era: and that there was a Roman Emperor of the name of Gordonius.
There appear, however, to have been families of the name of Gordon in France at an early period. The Gordons settled in Scotland in the early part of the twelfth century. It seems that they first obtained lands in Berwickshire, to which they gave the name of the barony of Gordon. In this district, another of their possessions was called Huntly, which the family at a subsequent period assumed as the title and name of their Earldom in the North, and adopted the name in Strathbogie.
About the year 1160 Richard de Gordon granted to the monks of the Abbey of Kelso a right of pasture, an acre of land at Todlaw, and an acre of meadow in Huntly-Strother, in the barony of Gordon. He was succeeded by his son, Sir Thomas de Gordon. In 1170 Sir Thomas confirmed his father’s grant of lands to the monks of Kelso. He was an ardent supporter of the policy of William the Lion; and ably assisted him in his conflicts with the people of Galloway, Ross, and other quarters of the kingdom.
Sir Thomas died in 1215, and was succeeded by his son, Thomas, who was knighted by Alexander II. He confirmed the grants of his father and grandfather to the Abbey of Kelso; and made some additional grants of lands, with a portion of his peatry of Brunmoss, and with the liberty of taking timber from his woods and pulling heather on his estates, for which privileges Gordon obtained the right of burial in the cemetery of the Abbey of Kelso. He died in 1258, leaving an only child, a daughter, called Alice de Gordon. She married Sir Adam Gordon, a descendant of a younger branch of the family; and thus united the estates of Gordon and Huntly, in the Merse. Sir Adam was a man of great energy. He was one of the company who left Scotland to assist Lewis IX. of France in an expedition to the Holy Land. But disaster overtook this expedition, and Sir Adam and many others perished before reaching the Holy Land. His widow survived him for several years. She died in 1280, and was succeeded by her son, Sir Adam Gordon.
In the spring of 1296, Sir Adam Gordon, with his tenants, joined the army led by John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, which invaded and wasted the North of England. Gordon’s lands were plundered by Edward I. on his march through Berwickshire, and forfeited to the English Crown. Sir Adam was present at the battle of Dunbar on the 26th of April, 1296, and fell in that disastrous action. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Sir Adam de Gordon. After the defeat of the Scots at Dunbar, Sir Adam, with a few other Scotsmen, retreated northward, until he was forced to surrender to Edward I. at Elgin, on the 28th of July, 1296.

[guymorris]

I have my Clan Gordon kilt I ordered and was hand sewn by a woman years ago in Colorado when I lived there. I've worn it many times in honor of my ancestors.

[skozlozlaurie]

Gordon Clan in New Zealand here, Laurie family ancestors.

My ancestors left Paisley, Scotland in 1842 and were on the The Duchess of Argyle which sailed with the Jane Gifford. The Duchess of Argyle became the first immigrant ship to anchor in what is known today as the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland, New Zealand.

[clangordon]

Oldoric De Gourdon born in 880 in Saint-Cirq-Lapopie France is as far back as I see the line.

[KratosGaming]

3:02 is my 25th Great Grandfather Adam de Gordon!

[muthafnmutt]

Is this the only vid or Do u have any more info the Gordon clan

[muthafnmutt]

This is great to know more about my family name

[jamesgordon]

The evidence of Gordons originating in France is sketchy at best.

[Zoco]

This must be a computer voice. Some of the pronunciations are ridiculous. Edward Eye for Edward I (1st)? Robert Eye? Ber-wick-shire?

There are several tartans and several surnames associated with this clan. The much maligned Lady MacBeth was connected to this clan, via the Duffus sept.