Chiefs of the Clan MacKinnon

The Chiefs of the Clan MacKinnon, like many historical documents of Scottish Clan history, contains uncertainties, variations, and even disputes as to what the true list of the clan chiefs is.  In any case, this is a transcription of the MacKinnon chiefs as presented by the family of the 38th chief Alasdair Neil Hood MacKinnon.

Chief

Date

Chief

Notes (Estimated dates are shown as strikethrough)

I

821

Alpin

68th Fabulous, 28th authentic, King of Scotland, slain in Galloway, a.d. 841 by Brudus, King of the Picts, from whom he had wrested the scepter.

II

837

Prince Gregor

Third son of King Alpin. He never succeeded to the throne.

III

900

Doungallus

His eldest son; he married Spontana, daughter of a King of Ireland.

IV

930

FINDANUS

Second son of Doungallus, was seized of the estate of the Tombermory in the Isle of Mull and Findanus Castle (Dunakin) in the Isle of Skye, known by the name of MacKinnon Castle in the present day; this castle was the residence of the Lairds of MacKinnon till the 14th century, when Strathardill, also in Skye, became their seat. Findanus and his bride, the Norse princess nicknamed Saucy Mary, ran a heavy chain from Skye to Lochalsh and levied a toll on all shipping passing up and down. It is from him that the MacKinnon chiefs obtained their Gaelic Patronymic.

V

976

MacFindanus MacAlpin 

Son of Findanus, called MacFingon MacAlpin, acquired further property in the Western Isles and in the shires of Perth and Ross. For some period after this the descendants of Alpin frequently assumed the patronymic of MacAlpin in addition to their other appellations.

VI

1020

Donald MacFingon MacAlpin


VII

1033

Cormac MacFingon MacAlpin


VIII

1066

Lachlan


IX

1096

Lachlan


X

1126

Kenneth


XI

1156

Donald


XII

1186

Lachlan


XIII

1216

Eowin or John


XIV

1246

Alpin


XV

1276

Lachlan


XVI

1306

Donald


XVII

1342

Eobhan or Ewen

After the death of John, Lord of the Isles, circa 1386, MacKinnon took part in the rebellion against the heir to the Lordship, and was hanged for his trouble. “And the rebellion in which the MacKinnon chief and the MacKinnon Abbot of Iona participated occurred shortly thereafter. The MacKinnon chief was hanged and the abbot imprisoned on Iona for life.” – Regan Walker

XVIII

1350

Lachlan

Called Sagartach, or Fogarach-Supposed to be the same who was concealed in MacKinnon’s Cave in Mull when pursued by the MacLeans.

XIX

1409

Lachlan na Thiomlaidh 

vir nobilis.” The Barterer; so called for having exchanged more valuable lands in Mull for the Isle of Scalpa, with MacLean of Duart.Witnessed MacLean Charter 1409.

XX

1439

Nial Buidh


XXI

1469

Lachlan Bhan


XXII

1513 (1517)

Nial Bhan

MacLean of Dowart petitioned the Regent for free remission for all of their offences, which was granted on 12th March 1517

XXIII

1545

Ewen Ruadh nan Cath

A celebrated warrior, who fought many battles against the MacLeans, aided by MacDonalds, in defence of his lands in Mull. Charged with rebellion by the Acts dated 1531 and 1545. Late in life he lived on good terms with the MacLeans. Carta Eugenii MacFigone 1542.

XXIV

1557

Lachlan Dubh or Fynnoun 

Took the part of the MacLeans against the MacDonalds

XXV

1590

Lachlan Og.


XXVI

1601

Sir Lachlan

d. 1634. 1606 Charter with Finlay MacNab of Bowaine.

XXVII

1628

Ian Balbhan

The Dummy. Died in suspicious circumstances and was buried at Castle Dunara.

XXVIII

1641

Sir Lachlan Mor

d. 1700. (His 2nd son Donald emigrated to Antigua after a disagreement with his father). 1671 Bond with MacGregor. Knight Banneret at Worcester 1651.

XXVIX

1700

John Dubh

 b. 1682 d. 1756. Out in ‘15 and ‘45.

XXX

1755

Charles

d. 1796.

XXXI

1796

John

d. unmarried in 1808 (last of the direct line).

XXXII

1808

William

d. 1809 aged 77. (descendant of Donald of Antigua). He never knew he was chief.

XXXIII

1809

William Alexander

b. 1782 d. 1870, FRS, MP.

XXXIV

1870

William Alexander

b. 1812, MP.

XXXV


Frances Alexander

b. 1848. d. 1947

XXXVI

1947

Aurthur Avalon

d. 1964, Commander R.N.

XXXVII

1964

Alasdair Neil Hood

b. 1926, d. 1980?

XXXVIII

1980

Anne Gunheild

First Woman MacKinnon of MacKinnon


BACK TO HOMEAuthor: Bryan MacKinnon http://www.mackinnon.org/