Clan Carmichael (Carmichael Tartan)

Crest: A dexter hand and arm in pale armed and holding a broken spear, Proper

Motto: Tout Jour Prest (Always Ready)

Origin of Name: Place name, Lanarkshire

Lands: Lanarkshire

Clan Chief: Richard Carmichael of Carmichael

2. Clan Carmichael History  (Carmichael Tartan)

The Southern Uplands of Scotland are the source of the name Carmichael, which comes from lands in Lanarkshire that were given to Sir James Douglas in 1321.

Towards the end of the 14th century, Sir John de Carmichael got the charter for these lands from William Earl of Douglas (Sir James Nephew) as payment for his support of Douglas' claim to the Scottish throne.

A barony with a 14,000-acre area was confirmed in 1441.

Mauldslie Castle, Lanarkshire. Mauldslie was built for Thomas Carmichael, 5th Earl of Hyndford by Robert Adam between 1792-93

Sir John de Carmichael of Meadowflat is probably one of the clan's most valiant members. In the battle against Henry V of England, Sir John was a soldier in a Scottish army that fought alongside the French.

Sir John and the Duke of Clarence, Henry V's brother and commander of the English Army, engaged in action in the Battle of Beauge in 1421.

The English army fled the battle in disarray after Sir John broke his spear, unseating Clarence from his mount. The broken lance on the clan crest serves as a memorial to this deed.

James V had as his mistress Catherine, the daughter of Sir John, for whom he had erected the Castle of Crawfordjohn.

Half-brother to the tragic Mary Queen of Scots, the affair resulted in an illegitimate son.

Contrasting Mary's well-known Catholicism is another noteworthy Carmichael, Peter Carmichael of Balmedie, who was charged with the murder of Cardinal Beaton along with John Knox and was sentenced to work on the galleys with Knox.

Later Sir John Carmichael was a close ally of James VI, who knighted him during the crowning of the Queen.

He received numerous honors, including being named captain of the King's guard, but he unfortunately met an unlucky (but tragically, common) end.

During one of the frequent border confrontations, he was ambushed and killed while apprehending a number of Armstrongs.

Throughout the Civil War, Carmichaels served on opposing sides. Although Lord Carmichael supported Charles I, two of his sons sided with the parliamentarians while the other two supported the Royalists.

At the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644, the brothers came together tragically when one of the royalist sons, John Carmichael, was slain while fighting against his own older brothers, one of whom was in command of the Clydesdale Regiment.

The family titles fell into obscurity at the death of the sixth Earl in 1817 without heirs. Prior until 1980, Carmichael-Anstruthers assumed ownership.

Richard Carmichael of Carmichael now serves as the Clan's Chief. Lanarkshire's 26th Baron of Carmichael's estates and the 30th Chief of the Name and Arms.

 3. Clan Carmichael Tartans

Richard Carmichael of Carmichael, the 30th Chief, was the one who initially registered the Carmichael tartan. In order to conserve tartans, he gave a sample to the Highland Society, about which not much is known.

This is the first time we see the tartan, however it may have been woven just for it or it may have been older.

While "modern" refers to darker dyes, "ancient" refers to the dye colours, which are typically lighter.

Threadcount G72 B56 R4 B4 Y/6 K/6 G72 B56 R4

Carmichael Modern

Carmichael Anicent

4. Clan Carmichael Crest & Coats of Arms

4.1 Clan Carmichael Crest

Worn by all of the name and ancestry

Crest Description:

A dexter hand and arm in pale armed and holding a broken spear, Proper

4.2 Clan Carmichael Coat of Arms

Observations on coats of arms

With the exception of civic or corporate arms, a person is granted a coat of arms under Scottish heraldic law. A 'family coat of arms' does not exist.

With the exclusions listed above, the weapons depicted below are personal weapons. The only person authorized to use these weapons is the grantee.

CARMICHAEL of Carmichael

Argent, a fesse, wreathy, Azure and Gules

Chief of Carmichael is Richard Carmichael of Carmichael, 30th Chief of the Name

Carmichael Coat of Arms, Carmichael Church Window

5. Clan Carmichael Places & People

 5.1 Clan Carmichael People

Alexander Carmichael (1832-1912)

Alexander Carmichael, a former exciseman for the West Highlands, relocated to Edinburgh and started gathering Gaelic tales.

He had a sizable collection of hymns, invocations, charms, and prayers, many of which had origins dating back centuries.

6. Associated Names

Clan Douglas' sept and linked family is Carmichael. There are several variations of the name Carmichael. The Carmicheal Carmicle Carmickle, Carmchael Carmickael Kermicle Carmitchal Carmiggelt Carmiggelt.

Families from Meadowflat in Lanarkshire and Balmedie in Fife were among the cadet families. Only this latter race is associated with the Appin Stewarts.

Many Carmichaels in Galloway became MacMichaels, while some MacMichaels in Argyll became 'Carmichaels'.