The earliest recorded Lamont on the Isle of Skye,
was one Kenneth Lamont, known as Kanoch Willimsoun (Kenneth, son of William,
son of James) He is referred to in a grant by King James IV in which this
King grants him lands in Kilmartin, and half of Baronsmor in Trotternish,
to "maintain him at the schools and learn the laws of Scotland, and thereafter
to return and practice the same in the Isles." This was recorded in the
Register
of the Privy Seal No.1654 (April 1508).
According to Prince Edward Island Pedigrees, the
Prince Edward Island Lamonts trace their ancestery back to this Kenneth
Lamont. A
letter written
in 1951, by W.D. Lamont, family historian in Glasgow, explains the origin
of the Skye Lamonts.
William Lamont, father of Kenneth, was noted on
the East side of Skye in 1484 and in 1485. In 1484, he had been named as
one of the King's tenants in Trotternish. As he is listed along with Martins
and Nicholsons, old administrative families in Trotternish, we may assume
that William was also of that class. We may also assume that he is the
Gulialmus
Archijudex, William, Chief Judge, who witnessed a charter by the Lord
of Trotternish in 1485. Lamont genealogy goes as such:
********************************************************************************************
Dunsleve born 1090 in Barra, Hebrides, Scotland. He married Gillibred
born c1100. With children:
1. Ferchar born c1140
********************************************************************************************
Ferchar born c1140 died before 1200. He married a daughter of Somerled
Macdonald born 1159 in the Western Isles. With children:
1. Malcolm Lamont born c1200 in Glassary, Argyll, Scotland
2. David Lamont born c1200
3. Murdoch Lamont born c1200
4. Duncan Lamont born c1215*
*The McSorley Lamonts were the oldest of the Cadet families, and were
located just north of Loch Gilp, near Lochgilphead, on the eastern shore
of Loch Fyne. They were styled Barons as early as the 1500s., probably
because they were vassals of the King. They are believed to be descended
from Duncan, Sir Laumon's uncle. This is an example of a Cadet family being
descended not in the chief's line, but from a common ancestor. In this
case, Farquhar, Sir Laumon's grandfather. In 1410, they were chartered
by the Lamont chief, thus recognizing him as the head of the family. The
name is derived from a Somerled (Sorley) of the early 1300s. The family
continued until 1726, when, their being no heir, the land was sold to Coll
Lamont. Not even a record of their Coat of Arms survives.
**************************************************************************************
Malcom Lamont born c1200 in Glassary, Argyll died about 1235. He is
buried in the Paisley churchyard. He married ?
With children:
1. Sir Laumon born 1215 in Cowal, Argyllshire (FIRST CHIEF OF LAMONTS)
***************************************************************************************
First Chief of Lamont
Sir Laumon born 1215 in Cowal Argyllshire died 1293 in Cowal Argyllshire.
Lamont of Ardlamont - from it's name, ther territory of Ardlamont is thought
to originally have belonged to Sir Laumon, and thus to the chiefs who succeeded
him. The Lamonts of Ardlamont are believed to be descendants of Ewen, who
was slain in 1321 for his support of Robert the Bruce. Possibly, they were
rewarded for supporting Bruce, with territory taken from the Lamont chief
who had opposed Bruce. In any case, in 1433 they acknowledged the Lamont
chief as their near cousin, chief of Kin, and feudal superior. Prior to
this time, they may have been independent of the chief, and had extensive
holdings from the Steward, or the Crown. In 1554, their being no male heirs
the land passed to the chief. After the destruction of Toward Castle in
1646, Ardlamont became the seat of the chief. Sir Laumon married Jean De
Lyon with children;
1. Malcolm Lamont born c1250 in Lamont, Cowal peninsula, Argyll, Scotland
2. Malmory born between 1270 and 1296
3. Son Lamont founded Lyons of Glamis born c1272 - Tradition, supported
by a genealogical work of 1682 found in Inveraray Castle, maintains that
a son of Sir Laumaon, had to flee Cowal as a result of a murder; and founded
the Lyons of Glamis. He took the name of Lyon from the Lamont arms, and
chose as his arms, the reverse of the Lamonts, a blue lion on a silver
field. As the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth, is a Lyon of Glamis, if this
tradition is correct, the Queen Elizabeth II is a Lamont on her mothers
side !
Sir Laumon married 2ndly Miss Macdonald
************************************************************************************
2nd Chief of Lamont (laird from 1293 to 1295)
Malcolm Lamont 2nd chief of Lamont born c1250 in Lamont, Cowal peninsula,
Argyll died after 1294 in Lamont, buried in Kilfinian church. In
the 13th century, Duncan chief of Clan Lamont and his nephew Laumon, made
a gift of Kilfinian church to Paisley Abby, along with fishing and land
rights for the return of prayers for the souls of the Lamonts. There are
historic graves in the vault at the back of the church, and in the churchyard,
one of these being Laumon's son, Malcolm who married princess Christina,
daughter of Alexander II. Malcolm became a crusader and died in 1294, he
was buried in the old graveyard; his stone can now be seen in the Lamont
vault along with several other interesting stones; one of which is that
of Sir John III who fought against the Bruce at Bannockburn and died in
disgrace at Kilfinian in 1353. Malcom married Christina born
about 1270 in Lorne. They were married before September 26 1290.
"At Orvieto - Calendar of Papal letters 3 Nichlas IV - Commision and mandate
from above pontiff to the bishop of Argyll, to make enquiry and grant a
dispensation to Malamore, son of Lagman, knight, and Christian, daughter
of Alexander, called "de Ergadie" Knight, who intermarried in ignorance
that they were connected in the fourth degree of affinity, to remain in
the marriage so contracted"
From this we can gather that Malcolm and Christina were blood relatives
- cousins? Mac dougall of Lorn, was known territorially as 'de Ergadie,'
The Macdougalls of Lorn were descended from the eldest son of Somerled..
During the thirteenth century this family was probably the most powerful
in the West Highlands on both land and sea. Their ships traded to English
ports, including that of Bristol. In 1284 the head of the family was Alexander
of Lorn who, in that year, sat in the assembly which settled the crown
on the Maid of Norway. His wife was a daughter of Sir John Comyn and an
aunt of the Red Comyn slain by Bruce at Dumfries. It is probable that the
family's intense and persistent opposition to the cause of Bruce was a
result of that event. They were his bitterest enemies in Scotland, and
he narrowly escaped death at their hands during the retreat from Methven
in 1306.Sir Alasdair MacDOUGALL of Argyll a.k.a. Sir Alexander d. 1310occ:
4th Chief of Clan MacDougall; 4th Lord of Lorn; 4th of Dunollie m. COMYN
of Buchan
With children
1. John Lamont 3rd chief of Lamont born c1290 in Argyll
*************************************************************************************
3rd Chief of Lamont
John Lamont, 3rd chief of Lamont born c1290 in Argyll. John died in
1353. He married Joan with children:
1. Duncan Lamont 4th chief of Lamont born c1330 in Kerry, Kilfinian
Argyll
2. Godfrey Lamont*
*The McGorrie Lamonts of Knockdow were descended from Godfrey (Gorrie)
Lamont c. 1431. Godfrey was the son of John Lamont, who may have been a
younger son of Chief John III, which would place him in a direct line from
Sir Laumon. One can only hope this is true, as they were the Lamonts who
retained their ancestral land the longest, and maintained the traditions
and history up to the present day. Sir Norman Lamont of Knockdow, the last
McGorie Lamont, having no heirs, Knockdow was sold in 1992.
Sir John, supported the MacDougalls of Lorne against Robert the Bruce.
The Lamonts of Ardlamont, however, who held their land as vassals of the
High Steward in Bute, may have fought in Bruce's bodyguard at Bannockburn.
When Bruce was secure on the Scottish throne the Lamont Chief suffered
with the House of Lorne and the Clan's land was claimed by the king's loyal
supporter, Campbell, Black Knight of Lochawe. By the end of the 14th century
a great deal of the original territory of the clan had been lost ; and
thus began a feud between the Lamonts and the Campbells which continued
on and off for centuries in spite of considerable intermarriage .
*****************************************************************************
4th Chief of Lamont (Laird from 1353 to 1381)
Duncan Lamont 4th Chief of Lamont born c1330 in Kerry, Kilfinian Argyll.
He died abut 1385 in Toward Castle, Kibinan Cowal. He was the Royal Baillie
of Kerry. He was laird from 1353 to1381. Duncan married ? with children:
1. Robert Lamont born c1360 in Toward Castle 5th chief of Lamont laird
from 1396 to 1433. died 1433 in Toward Casle. "29 Nov 1410 - Notariall
copy of a charter by Robertus Duncan Lagmane of Inneryne, in favours to
Celestin Augusti M'Soirle and his heirs male of the lands of Auchachois
and other proceeding upon the said Celestin's resignation, and dated the
pennult day of November 1410 years. The bounding of the lands disponed
is therin specified"
Robert Lamont married Anne Macdonald before October 30 1397 in Toward.
"Robert, son of Duncan Maclagmayn, married, by papal dispensation, of 30
Oct 1397, Anna Macdonald, daughter of Donald, eighth lord of the Isles,
by his wife Margaret Leslie"
2. Son Lamont?*
*It is possible that the Skye Lamonts descend from this man. On Skye,
the name Robert Lamont has not been passed down, but the name "Duncan"
is prominent. If Robert the 5th chief (brother of our "son Lamont" married
Anne Macdonald d/o Donald Macdonald 8th lord of the Isles, it makes a definite
Skye connection. Furthermore, Robert and Anne Macdonald were obviously
blood relatives, because they needed a papal dispenstation to marry. Did
Duncan Lamont marry a Macdonald of Skye? It seems likely. If so,
then the genealogy would be as so:
Son Lamont born before 1385 married ? with children:
A. Son Lamont born c1400 on Skye? With children:
B. James Lamont born c1440 Skye married ? with children;
C. William Lamont born c1468
skye, mentioned in 1508, son of James, is the first Lamont known
definetly to have resided on Skye. He had been named as one of the King's
tenants in Trotternish in 1508. As he is listed along with Martins and
Nicolsons - old administrative families in Trotternish - we may assume
that William was also of that class, 'Lowman" deriving from lagmann. We
may also assume that he is the Gulialmus archijudex - William, chief judge
- who witnessed a charter by the Lord of Trotternish in 1485. It would
have been in line with the policy of James IV to introduce the Lowland
laws by training young members of the old legal families in the new legal
ways. He m. ? with ch;
D. Kenneth Lamont born c1498 Skye (this is the first Lamont mentioned in
Skye oral traditions)
Kenneth Lamont, described as Coinneach mac Uilleim vic Semus ( Kenneth,
son of William, son of James) lived in the last years of the 15th
or early part of the 16th century. he is most likely to be the person referred
to in a grant by King James IV of lands in Trotternish. As recorded in
the Register of the Privy Seal No. 1654 (April 1508) the grant is to “Kanoch
Willimsoun of the lands of Kilmartin and half of Baronesmor in Trotternish
to maintain him at the schools and learn the laws (Lowland) of Scotland,
and thereafter to return and practice the same in the Isles.” He
appears to be the son of the ‘William Lowman’ or Lamont mentioned
in 1507. This Kenneth is well known in Skye because in 1508 (when
he must have been a boy, ) the Register of the Privy Seal (the Clerk of
which was the brother of Drummond of Perth) records that the King granted
him the terunga of Kilmartin and half the terunga of Baronesmore in Trotternish,
to maintain him at the law schools and afterwards to act as a sort of
Justice of the Peace. At the close of his training, he returned to Skye,
and was long remembered for the severity with which he collected the King’s
dues. The terunga of Kilmartin and half terunga of Baronesmore, so far
as one can calculate, formed an irregular belt of land running across Trotternish
from Staffin Bay to Skye Bay. The lands of eastern Trotternish in and north
of the Kilmartin area, and in Western Trotternish around and north of Uig,
contained notable concentrations of Lamonts from the early 18th century
(when the first documentary evidence begins), and there are no Lamonts
in any other part of Skye until nearly the end of that century. The 'Baronesmor'
- hill of the great waterfall - of the 1508 grant is an old name for the
Uig area, and the placenames keep alive the connection with a Kenneth.
One of the strongest reasons for thinking that this is the ‘Kenneth’
to whom the Lamonts of Lyndale trace their descent is that this is the
part of Trotternish in which Lamonts are found as far back as the existing
rentals of Skye go. We find them clustered thickly around Staffin and Uig
as early as 1718 and practically nowhere else in the whole island of Skye.
By 1718 they were not landholders of the King, but merely comparatively
modest tenants of MacDonald: but that is easily accounted for by the decay
in fortune of the smaller families in Scotland, and especially in the Isles
during the 16th and 17th centuries. It would appear, however, that the
descendants of Kenneth were not dispossessed. They merely lost their stature
as tenants-in-chief of the King, and became tenants of MacDonald. Kenneth’s
principal residence near Uig (marked on present-day maps as ‘Peinchonnich’
was occupied in part or in whole, by a Lamont as far back as the MacDonald
rentals go.- PEI Pedigrees. Kenneth married ? with children;
E. Duncan Lamont born c1560 Skye married ? with children;
F. Murdoch Lamont born c1580 Skye married ? with children;
G. Donald Lamont born c1610 Skye married ? with children;
H. Duncan Lamont born c1650 Skye married ? with children;
I. John Lamont born c1700 Skye. John Lamont was documented as living on
the East side of Skye in Trotternish, at a place called Valtos in 1733,
he married ? (Her name could have been Buie, since son Murdoch’s
middle name was Buie, however the word in Gaelic also means yellow, so
it could simply denote that Murdoch hair was blonde)
In 1720 the rentals on Skye show an Angus Lamont* (this Angus Lamont
was probably of the Kingsburgh Lamonts, emigrants to PEI, see at bottom
of page) , a Donald Lamont, a William Lamont, a John Lamont and a Neil
Lamont
but it is not known where these men fit into the genealogy. John Lamont
of Valtos married ?With children no doubt among others,
J. Murdoch Buie Lamont born c1725, learned that he was the son of John,
son of Duncan, son of Donald, son of Murdoch, son of Duncan, son of Kenneth
Lamont. Murdoch Buie Lamont must have been born between 1725 and 1730,
for he is said to have fought at Culloden (many individuals from
Skye were ‘out’ at the Forty-five, although both the MacDonald and MacLeod
chiefs wisely guessed what the upshot would be) and was said to be not
many years short of the 100 when he died in 1822 or 23. Murdoch (apparently
known as Murdoch Buy) lived in Staffin (or Stencholl as the district was
often called.) William Dawson Lamont said of Murdoch Buie, that “He is
said to have built boats and violins. He must have been an interesting
character, as he joined the unofficial contingent which followed Prince
Charles in the ‘45. This would place his birth at perhaps 1725 - surely
not later than 1730. The name of his wife is unknown, and we have no information
of children other than Malcolm.” - PEI Pedigrees. However, he must
have had at least one other son, because when Malcolm Lamont emigrated
to PEI, he took with him his nephew Murdoch Lamont. Children of Murdoch
Buie Lamont;
K1. Malcolm Lamont born c1750? - see descendants of Malcolm below at bottom
of page
K2. Son Lamont - see descendants of Murdoch below at bottom of page
K3. John Lamont stayed on Skye*
*The following is from Mr Mackenzie of Culnacnoc: “There was an old
family whichhas died out now. I think the father’s name was Angus, and
they belonged to the Flodigarry district. Besides one or two daughters
who married and went to Australia, there were 3 sons:
A1.Murdo who died unmarried in Glasgow on his way home from Boston
USA
A2.Malcolm of whom nothing is known except that he emigrated
*A3.John born Staffin married in Valtos, dying there over 40 years
ago. He had six daughters, the last of whom died this year. They were cousins
or 2nd cousins of the Rev. D. Lamont of Toronto.” (Reverend Donald
Lamont was born in 1867, son of Ewen Lamont who was son of Malcolm
Lamont the emigrant to PEI)
Unless there was another Lamont in Toronto at the time the reference
must be to Rev. Donald M. Lamont of the Skye and PEI Lamonts, who was a
minister in Toronto between 1927 and 1931. The daughters were considerably
older than the Rev. D.M. Lamont, but they may well have been of the same
generation. His grandfather Malcolm, married late in life; and so their
grandfather Angus ( he must mean their father John) may have been
a brother of Malcolm; in which case they would have been 2nd cousins. It
is probable that the John Lamont mentioned above is the same as John Lamont
of Garros Skye following:
These Lamonts must be descended from Murdoch Buie Lamont - John Lamont
of Garros must be a brother to Malcolm Lamont the emigrant to PEI. (Because
of the mention below of Donald Lamont son of Allan Ruadh Lamont – as being
“Uncle to Dr Lamont in Toronto” – this would be Reverend Donald Macdonald
Lamont, son of Ewen Lamont of Lyndale PEI)
Lamonts of Garros
John Lamont at Garros thought his great grandfathers name was Murdo.
This Murdo had 3 sons;
I.John Lamont
II.John Buidhe Lamont
III.Allan Ruadh Lamont
(I) John Lamont lived at Garros and may have been born there. He married
Christina Lamont d/o Allan Lamont of Flodigarry with children;
A1.William Lamont born c1818 died at Garros in 1898 over 80 years
old. He married Margaret Macdonald d/o John Macdonald of Deeg with children;
B1.Murdoch died unmarried at Garros in 1920-21
B2.John unmarried living at Garros in 1931
aged 70-80 Birth: 20 Jul 1856 Stenscholl, Kilmuir
Parish,
Inverness, Scotland
B3.Ann Unmarried living
at Garros in 1931 Birth: 1 Feb 1861 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness,
B4.Marion unmarried
Birth: 26 Aug 1863 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland
B5.Christina Lamont
Birth: 24 Mar 1858 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland married Donald
Macdonald of Glenconan Uig with children;
C1.Rev. Archibald Macdonald F.C. Minister, Fort William
A2.Allan Lamont died at Garros in 1908 age 85. He married Christina
Maclean of Culnacnoc
Marriage: 20 Jan 1859 Kilmuir By Uig,
Inverness, Scotland with children;
B1.John Birth: 17
Sep 1866 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland died unmarried about 1928
at
Hilishadder
B2.Catherine Birth:
10 Jun 1860 Stenscholl, Kilmuir Parish, Inverness, Scotland
B3.Jonathan living
unmarried near Culnacnoc in 1931
B4.Murdo Lamont
B5.Christina Lamont
Birth: 2 Feb 1864 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland
*These 5 children of Allan used to have his croft at Garros but had
to give it up owing to illness, retiring to a cottage near Culnacnoc. In
1931 Jonathan took my wife and me to see his cousin John at Garros, and
shewed us the remains of a well built house he and his brother had built.
A3.Donald Lamont moved to Valtos. He married Anne Macdonald (sister
of Mary Macdonald who married Alexander Lamont in Keistle, ) with children;
B1.John living at
Valtos in 1931. Birth: 15 Apr 1866 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland
He
married a Miss Macleod and according to Mr. Mackenzie had 5 sons
and 3 daughters.
B2.Alexander Birth:
27 Jan 1868 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland who was captain of the
fishery cruiser Freya in 1931. He married Juliet Maclean
d/o Malcolm Maclean (Malcolm the
Merchant) in Kilmuir, no children.
B3.Murdo, living at
Valtos Birth: 2 Sep 1870 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland married
Marion Macdonald d/o Ronald Macdonald of Maligar with issue.
B4.Christina Birth:
29 Oct 1874 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland keeping house for her
cousin Alexander Lamont in Keistle in 1931.
B5.William Lamont
Birth: 14 Oct 1872 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland
B6.Anne Lamont Birth:
26 Jun 1874 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland
A4.Mary Lamont married Angus Macqueen,
butcher in Portree with children;
1. John MC QUEEN - International Genealogical Index
Gender: M Christening: 25 Dec 1850 Portree, Inverness, Scotland
2. Kenneth MC QUEEN - International Genealogical Index
Gender: M Christening: 1 Nov 1852 Portree, Inverness, Scotland
3. Murdo MC QUEEN - International Genealogical Index
Gender: M Birth: 15 Mar 1857 Portree, Inverness, Scotland
4. Alexander MC QUEEN - International Genealogical Index
Gender: M Birth: 28 Aug 1858 Portree, Inverness, Scotland
5. Alexander MC QUEEN - International Genealogical Index
Gender: M Birth: 25 Feb 1860 Portree, Inverness, scotland
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II.John Buidhe Lamont died unmarried at Garros. It was suggested that
the “buidhe” derived from a complexion peculularity due to some illness.
***********************************************************************************
III.Allan Ruadh Lamont - from whom descend the Lamonts in Glenelg.
Allan went from Sartle or Flodigarry to Marrishader. He married ? with
children among others;
A1.William Lamont a fisherman, living at Longfearn, Stencholl. He married
Christina Bruce with children;
B1.Donald Lamont (uncle of Dr. Lamont in Toronto)
born at Loanferrn, but lived in Marrishadder as a crofter
from the
time of his marriage. He died there in 1910. He married Anne Macdonald
d/o Ronald Macdonald of Stencholl
with chilren;
D1.Murdoch
born in Marrishadder and went to Glenelg where he was living in 1931. He
married Christina Lamont d/o
Murdoch Lamont of Glenelg. (Mr Mckenzie called Christy’s father Murchadh
Ruadh, and said that
he also came from Flodigarry. With children;
E1.William living unmarried with Murdoch in 1931
E2.Ann married Charles Campbell estate worker, Grantully Castle Perthshire
with issue.
E3.Mary m. Hugh Mcintyre, Stronchaffery, Pitlochry
E4.Peggy m. Peter Lamont Glenelg family
E5.Ronald married with issue.
D2.Allan
Lamont railway surfaceman at Rannoch and later at Mallaig. died about 1919.
He married
Rachel Macdonald with issue. Marriage: 4 Feb 1869 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness,
Scotland
According to LDS they had children; .
E1.Christy LAMONT - International Genealogical Index Birth: 14 Sep 1870
Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness, Scotland
E2. Catherine LAMONT - International Genealogical Index Birth: 29 Jun 1872
Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness,
E3. William LAMONT - International Genealogical Index Birth: 8 Oct
1874 Kilmuir By Uig, Inverness,
C1.William Lamont lived Glenelg
C2.Donald Lamont lived Glenelg
*********************************************************************************
Lamont Emigrants from Skye
0000LAMONT, MURDOCH, nephew of Malcolm Lamont, he emigrated to PEI in 1829 with his uncle Malcolm. He married CATHERINE STEWART.
0000 LAMONT, ANGUS, of Kingsburgh / Uig Skye. His son Alexander Lamont
married Eunice Currie and emigrated to PEI
Angus Lamont was born Abt. 1719 in Kingsburgh or Uig District of Skye
He married ? with children:
A1. Alexander Lamont born 1761 Skye died Feb 10 1845 Prince Edward
Island. He married before 1803 on Skye,
Eunice Currie. She was born 1771
in Kingsburgh Skye and died August 11 1859 in PEI. They Came to PEI
in 1803 on the Polly with
the Selkirk settlers and received a title to 50 acres of land. Settled
first at Point Prim.
They are buried in the Belfast
Churchyard. They had 8 children, of which 2 sons and 3 daughters were born
in Skye
A2. Daughter Lamont married Ewen Gillis in Skye or PEI.
A3. Daughter Lamont
A4. Neil Lamont Known as "Niall Dearg", officer in the British army,
fought in the Napoleonic War; died
in a drowning accident.
For the descendants of this family please visit Dave Hunter's "Island
Register" http://www.islandregister.com
Source: Lamont family archives, oral traditions, culandera@hotmail.com
Source: Prince Edward Island Pedigrees, archives, PEI
Good Link to Mainland (Cowal) Lamont History
http://www.tartans.com/clans/Lamont/lamont.html
Excellent link for Lamont genealogy found here:
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SHOW&db=lamont1646&recno=4009