FAMOUS EARLY KENNEDYS

The following passages are taken from "The Surnames of Scotland" by Black, which was published by the New York Public Library. Some material from other sources has been added. I have arranged the dates in chronological order.

1165-1214 The earliest Kennedy on record in Scotland appears to be in land records in which "Gilbert Mac Kenedi, who witnessed a charter by Raderic Mac Gillescop of lands in Carric to the abbey of Melrose early in the reign of King William the Lion" (Melros, I, p. 29). King William the Lion was King William I who ruled from 1165-1214.

1185 Henry Kennedy or Mac Kenede is named in 1185 as one of the leaders and instigators of rebellion in Galloway, and is stated to have fallen in battle (Fordun, Annals, XVI).

1214-1229 Gillescop MacKenedi, senescallus de Karric, is twice in record in the reign of Alexander II (Melros, I, p. 171). Alexander II ruled from 1214-1249.

1214-1229 Gillecrist filius Kenedi witnessed a grant of lands in the same district within the same period.(Melros I., p. 172). (This Appears to be between 1214 and 1249.)

1230-1270 *Alexander MacKennedy who appears as a charter witness between 1230 -1270 (RMP., p. 134,137,138) is probably Master Alexander Kenedi (without 'Mac'), canon of Glasgow, c. 1272-1283 (ibid., p. 53, 127), and as Magister Alexander Kenedy, charter witness in Glasgow, c. 1290 (REG., p. 200). As dominus Alexander Kennedy, canon of Glasgow, her rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, p. 194).

1240 -1248 Maldouen Maccenedy or Mackenedi appears as charter witness in the Lennox c. 1240-8 (Lennox, II, p. 7).

1250 (Prior) Hugh and Murdoch MacKenedy served as jurors on an inquest made at Gerwan (Girvan) in 1260 (Bain, I, 2674), and the latter, as Murthan MacKenede, witnessed a charter of the church of Maybothel in Carrick before 1250 (CMN., p 15)

1266 Fergus Makenedy who rendered to Exchequer the accounts of the sheriff of Ayr, 1266 (ER.,I p. 34), may be the Ffergus mac Kenedi who witnessed John Cumyne's grant of a right of way by his wood and the bridge of the black ford called in Scots Athebethy to the monastery of Inchaffray in 1287 (Inchaffray, p. 100) and c. 1285 witnessed another charter by Alexander de Dunhon of the land of Arachor to Sir Patrick de Graham (Montrose, p. 166).

1272-1283 *Alexander MacKennedy who appears as a charter witness between 1230 -1270 (RMP., p. 134,137,138) is probably Master Alexander Kenedi (without 'Mac'), canon of Glasgow, c. 1272-1283 (ibid., p. 53, 127), and as Magister Alexander Kenedy, charter witness in Glasgow, c. 1290 (REG., p. 200). As dominus Alexander Kennedy, canon of Glasgow, her rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, p. 194).

1290 *Alexander MacKennedy who appears as a charter witness between 1230 -1270 (RMP., p. 134,137,138) is probably Master Alexander Kenedi (without 'Mac'), canon of Glasgow, c. 1272-1283 (ibid., p. 53, 127), and as Magister Alexander Kenedy, charter witness in Glasgow, c. 1290 (REG., p. 200). As dominus Alexander Kennedy, canon of Glasgow, her rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, p. 194).

1296 *Alexander MacKennedy who appears as a charter witness between 1230 -1270 (RMP., p. 134,137,138) is probably Master Alexander Kenedi (without 'Mac'), canon of Glasgow, c. 1272-1283 (ibid., p. 53, 127), and as Magister Alexander Kenedy, charter witness in Glasgow, c. 1290 (REG., p. 200). As dominus Alexander Kennedy, canon of Glasgow, her rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, p. 194).

1296 Sir Hugh Kennedy possessed lands in Lanarkshire in 1296 (Rot. Scot., I, p. 29b), and as Huwe Kenedy rendered homage for them in the same year. His seal bears a garb, four pellets on either side, "S. Hugonis Kinnedi" (Bain, II, p. 203, 544)

1321-1322 Duncan Kennedy was provost of Aberdeen, 1321-1322, (This was in Northeast Scotland)

1333-1342 Peter Kyneidy was burgess of Aberdeen, 1333-1342 (REA., I, p. 54, 72), (This was in Northeast Scotland)

1338 Sir Malcolm Kenedy was camerarius Scocie in 1338 (SCM., v, p. 244).

1300 EARLY In the early 1300's, the person of John McKennedy of Dunure appears in the history of southwest Scotland. This Kennedy was captain of the clan Muninntircasdubh (people of the black feet; a reference to the clansman wearing their fur brogues inside out) located in Kirkmichael Parrish, Ayershire, Scotland. Kennedy fought valiantly in Carrick and Galloway against the supporters of Edward Baliol in 1346 A.D. His past is a mystery. Some researchers believe him to be a de Carrick who called himself Kennedy. Either way he was a near kinsman to the Carrick earls. Kennedy of Dunure was prominent enough to have his son and heir held hostage for King David the II(1329-1371) in 1357. Ten years later he was acting as steward for the Carrick earldom. He acquired the estate of Cassilis where the Kennedys would rule for centuries in Ayrshire and Carrick.

1346 John Kennedy of Dunure was captain of the clan Muintircasduf about 1346 (RMS., I, p. 574).

1358 In 1358 John Kennedy of Dunure, obtained a charter from David II King of England confirming him in possession of many estates in Ayrshire, Scotland.

1372 In October 1372, King Robert II (1371-1390) visited Ayr, Scotland, and bestowed upon John Kennedy the "kenkynol" of the clan, with all privileges that Roland de Carrick held in 1256. With this royal charter the chief of the Clan Kennedy was permanently established. "Kenkynol" is Gaelic for "Head of the Clan", the Chief , and can only be passed down in the male line according to Celtic law. From Kenkynol the name of Kenneth and Kennedy is derived, both mean "chief of the Clan."

1372 Gilbert McKenedy witnessed a charter by John, earl of Carrick of lands in the lordship of Kyle in the reign of Robert II (Melros, II, p. 453).

1376 David Kynidy, bailie of Aberdeen in 1376 (ER., II, P. 542),

1384 John Kennedye witnessed a charter by Robert II (1371-1390)to Duncan, earl of Leunax in 1384 (Levenax, p. 8),

1390 Thomas Kennedy was ineft in the ownership of Auchorthies of Aberdeen, 1390 (Banchory-Devenick, p. 158). (This was in Northeast Scotland)

1390 In this time period a family of Kennedys held the lands in Kermuck in Abordeenshire for several generations.

1393 In 1393 there is a confirmation of the lands of Buchmonyn in the earldom of Levenax to John Kennyde, son of Fergus Kennyde (Levenax, p. 44).

1405 John Kennedy's Son Gilbert, married Agnes Maxwell. Great granddaughter of King Robert III (1390-1406) in 1405. With these two marriages the lineage of Kennedy became "consanguis royale" or "of blood to the King."

1406-1465> SIR JAMES KENNEDY

1406? - 1465

Sir James Kennedy 1406?-1465 father of Sir Gilbert Kennedy.

Sir James Kennedy had 2 sons Sir James Kennedy and Gilbert

Kennedy, who was created First Lord Kennedy in 1456.

(1). Sir James Kennedy

(2). Gilbert Kennedy, second Earl of Cassillis

1426 Donald Kenedi attested a charter by Stephen Flemyng, Master of the Hospital of Soltre, 1426 (Soltre, p. 52)

1456 Gilbert Kennedy was created Lord Kennedy in 1456.

1464 Gilbert Kennedy of Bargnay in 1464 had a charter of the 25s land of Coffe, and the lands of Kellolie in the parish of Sanct Michaelis Muntercasduff, etc. from Gilbert Kennedy of Cullean (Culzean) (Paterson, Ayr, II, p. 347) This charter is interesting as showing that the lands of Kirkmichael belonged of old to the clan Muntercasduf.

1488-1513 The Moray Kennedys, it is believed, came north with the possession of the earldom of Moray by Janet Kennedy and her son by James IV (1488-1513). This branch is known as Ceannaideach. In Arran the Kennedys are in the Gaelic of the island M'Cnusachainn or possibly M'Rusachainn, "a name which awaits explanation". The Kennedys of Lochaber are the ones known as M'Walrick (G. MacUalraig), q.v. (This was in Northeast Scotland)

1513 DAVID KENNEDY - FIRST EARL OF CASSILLIS Died in 1513

1660 Symson in his "Large Description of Galloway" (written c.1660) gives an old rhyme descriptive of the power of the Kennedys:

'Twixt Wigton and the toun of Air,

Portpatrick and the Cruives of Cree,

No man needs think for to bide there,

Unless he court with Kennedie."

There is a second version of this rhyme from Abercrombie's "Description of Carrict."

Twixt Wigtowne and the towne of Aire

And laigh down be the Cruives of Cree

You shall not gett a lodging there

Except ye court a Kennedy.

***

In succeeding centuries the Kennedy chiefs obtained high positions in Scotland's government. Kennedys held positions as chancellors, ambassadors, constables, commissioners, and keepers of Lochdoon and Stirling Castles. Two Kennedys were high treasurers of Scotland and many other were generals. Kennedys fought and died in the battles at Flodden, Solway Mos, and Langside; others engaged on both sides of the religious issue in the Covenanter Wars. They held the titles of Lord Kennedy in 1457, which title became Earl of Cassillis in 1507, then Baron Ailsa in 1806 and finally the current title of Marquess of Ailsa in 1831. Several Kennedys were knights of the orders of St. Michael and the Thistle. Also Elizabeth Kennedy was the right hand maid of Queen Mary Stuart (Stewart) throughout her ordeal.

Such is the beginning of the family or Clan of Kennedy, down to the present Chief, Donald Kennedy, The most Honorable Marquess of Ailsa, O.B.E.

Submitted by: Kip Kennedy, Kipper3003@aol.com