Cumming

Cumming

Clan Cumming of Altyre in Scotland; derived from the village of Comines near Lisle in Normandy and said to be descended from Charlemagne. Robert de Comyn accompanied William the Conqueror to England in 1066 and was given lands in Northumberland. His grandson, William, was one of the knights who accompanied David I to Scotland and was given lands by him in Roxburghshire, and became the king’s chancellor in Scotland. His nephew, Richard, married a granddaughter of Donald Bane, King of Scotland and by the 13th century, the family held, the earldoms of Monteith, Atholl and Buchan. When Alexander III was killed near Burntisland, Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan, and ‘Black John’ Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, both descendents of Duncan I, were appointed to the council of six guardians of Scotland. When Margaret, Fair Maid of Norway died in 1290, the two aforementioned Comyns, John Balliol, brother-in-law of the Black Comyn, and Robert Bruce invited Edward I of England to decide who should succeed to the Scottish throne and John Balliol was chosen. In 1306, Robert the Bruce, grandson of Robert Bruce stabbed Red Comyn to death in Greyfriars Church, Dumfries. Red Comyn’s son was forced to flee to England and was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. After that time, Cumming of Altyre was recognised as chief of the clan. Sir Alexander Cumming of Altyre was created a baronet on 21st May 1804 and Sir William Gordon-Cumming of Altyre, fourth Baronet, served with the Scots Guards in the Zulu War of 1879. The family acquired the estate of Gordounstoun which is now well known for the public school established there.

Arms: Azure, three garbs or.

Crest: A lion rampant or, holding in his dexter paw a dagger proper.

Motto: Courage.

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