Macintyre
MacIntyre
Clan Macintyre of the Western Isles, Scotland; from the Gaelic Mac-an-T’saoir meaning son of a carpenter. Legend claims that this was Macarill or Maurice, nephew of Somerled, who aided his uncle's ambitions by boring holes in the ship of King Olaf the Red of Norway, the Isles and Man, and plugging them with tallow. He then sailed with the king, and when they washed from the holes and the galley floundered, he promised to save the king if he granted the hand of his daughter Ragnhild to Somerled, and the pact was sealed and Macarill plugged the holes in the ship. He was then known as the carpenter. The descendants settled at Glen Noe by Ben Cruachan on Loch Etiveside. Since the 13th century, the family were traditionally foresters to the Lord of Lorn.
Arms: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, an eagle displayed gules, beaked and membered sable, charged on the breast with a plate; 2nd, argent, a lymphad, sails furled, oars in saltire sable, flagged gules, with a beacon on top of the mast proper; 3rd, argent, a sinister hand fessways gules, holding a cross crosslet fitchee azure.
Crest: A dexter hand holding a dagger in pale proper.
Motto: Per ardua (Through difficulties.)
