Collection: Urquhart

Clan Urquhart

Crest Description:
The crest depicts a naked woman crowned with a wreath of flowers, holding a palm branch in her right hand and a sword in her left. She rises from a gold coronet, symbolizing both grace and strength — virtues highly prized among Highland clans. This striking figure represents peace and war: the palm for peace, the sword for defense.

Motto:
“Meane Weil, Speak Weil, Doe Weil” — meaning “Think Well, Speak Well, Do Well.”
It is a call to integrity and wisdom in thought, word, and action — the guiding principles of Clan Urquhart.

🏰 Clan History

The Clan Urquhart is an ancient Highland family, their name derived from the lands of Urquhart on Loch Ness in Inverness-shire. The name itself comes from the Gaelic Urchard or Urchadan, meaning “by the fort on the thicket.” The Urquharts are among Scotland’s oldest families, with roots traceable to the Pictish kingdom of Moray.

The clan’s early history is closely tied to the Barony of Cromarty, which became their principal seat. The Urquharts of Cromarty were known for their loyalty to the Scottish crown and for producing some of the most learned men of their time — judges, scholars, and soldiers. The family’s prominence continued through the medieval and Renaissance periods, notably under Sir Thomas Urquhart of Cromarty (1611–1660), a polymath, writer, and translator of Rabelais. He also fought for King Charles I at the Battle of Worcester (1651).

⚔️ Territory and Influence

The ancestral Urquhart lands lay around Cromarty in the Highlands and the original Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness. Urquhart Castle, now one of Scotland’s most famous ruins, was a stronghold of strategic importance — contested between Scots and English forces, and later between clans. The clan maintained influence throughout the north and east of Scotland, particularly in Ross-shire and Inverness-shire.

🌿 Symbolism of the Crest

The woman in the crest represents justice, virtue, and moral strength — the embodiment of balance between peace and defense. The sword shows readiness to defend honor and kin, while the palm branch symbolizes peace and wisdom after struggle. The crown signifies noble lineage and steadfast service to Scotland.

The clan’s motto, “Meane Weil, Speak Weil, Doe Weil,” perfectly complements this imagery, reflecting the Urquhart ideal of thoughtful action guided by integrity.

🧵 Clan Tartan

The Urquhart tartan features shades of deep green and blue with red and black overtones — rich Highland colors reflecting the clan’s heritage and the rugged beauty of their homeland near Loch Ness and the Cromarty Firth.

🛡️ Legacy

Clan Urquhart has a distinguished reputation for scholarship, loyalty, and courage. Its members have served Scotland in both peace and war, and the clan’s historic motto continues to embody their enduring values: wisdom in thought, honesty in speech, and honor in deed.