Article
Wallace
Motto: Pro libertate (For liberty)
The name Wallace is derived from the Old French word ‘waleis’, a ‘Welshman, Celt’. Wallace is the Scottish form of the name, found in England as Wallis, Wallice etc.; here it originally meant ‘a Briton of the Kingdom of Strathclyde’. As such it was originally stated that the family were of Norman origin. Early records of the name show it to have been common in Renfrewshire and Ayrshire – part of the old Kingdom of Strathclyde. First record of the name in Scotland was c.1160; Richard Wal (ensis) witnessed a charter by Alan, son of Walter the High Steward. Richard’s lands in Ayrshire were named after him and the name survived as the town and parish of Riccarton.
The great-grandson of Richard Wallace, Sir Malcolm Wallace received the lands of Elderslie and Auchinbothie in Renfrewshire and was the father of the national hero, Sir William Wallace. Wallace became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence. Along with Andrew Moray, Wallace famously defeated an English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in September 1297. He was appointed Guardian of Scotland and served until his defeat at the Battle of Falkirk in July 1298.
In August 1305, Wallace was captured in Robroyston, near Glasgow, and handed over to King Edward I of England, who had him hung, drawn and quartered for high treason, despite having never sworn featly to Edward I, and crimes against English civilians. Since his death, Wallace has obtained an iconic status far beyond his homeland. There is no reason why a Wallace should not wear any one of the five tartans bearing this name, although the red and the Hunting are the most commonly available.
Choose from one of the Wallace tartans listed below:
