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Moncrieffe
Motto: Sur Esperance (Upon hope)
The name Moncrieff is derived from the Gaelic words ‘monadh’ – a moor or hill pasture, and ‘croaibhe’ (the genitive of ‘croabh’ – tree); the name is therefore a topographical one meaning ‘the moor of hill-land of the trees’. Bearers of this name are generally regarded to have taken it from their residence in the lands of Moncrieff in the parish of Dunbarny in Perthshire. Moncrieffe Hill lies on a peninsula between the Rivers Tay and Earn, 3 miles south-east of Perth. It appears to be a name of Anglo-Norman lineage, one Mortimer, who assumed the name of Moncrieff after obtaining those lands.
A Ramerus de Moncreiff, is named living at the start of the 12th century, who was keeper of the robe to Alexander I. There is also claim to the name deriving from Celtic origins; from the name Monadh Croaibhe, i.e. Moncrieffe Hill.
There is also a strong link with the Murrays, and an association with Atholl claimed for the mid 13th century. Other references put the name later mid 13th century. Interestingly, both the Moncreiffes and MacLachlans claim descent in the direct male line from two different sons of Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland c.5th century. The three main lines of the family descend from the eighth Laird of Moncreiffe, who died around 1496, and are distinguished by the spelling of the name.
The Moncreiffes of Moncreiffe are the chiefly line, while the principal cadets are the Lords Moncreiff of Tulliebole and Moncrieff of Bandirran, from whom the Scott-Moncreiffs and the Moncreiffs of Kinmonth descend.
In the 16th century one family joined the famous Scots Guard of Archers of the Kings of France and established three noble French families.
This tartan is undoubtedly one of the oldest tartans existing and is one known by at least four separate names: Moncrieffe, Old Grant, Old MacLachlan and Robin Hood.
Choose from one of the Moncrieffe tartans listed below:
