History of Clan MacAlpine
The Ancient History of Clan MacAlpine
Clan MacAlpine is traditionally regarded as one of the most ancient and royal clans in the Highlands. The family claims descent from Alpin, the father of the famous King Kenneth MacAlpin. An old Gaelic saying, "Cnuic is uillt is Ailpeinich" (Hills and Streams and MacAlpine), suggests the family’s origins are as old as the geography of Scotland itself.
Kenneth MacAlpin and the Unification The history of the clan is tied deeply to Cináed mac Ailpín (Kenneth MacAlpin), who died in 858. While national mythology often hails him as the first King of Scots who "destroyed" the Picts, modern historians view him as a King of the Picts who successfully merged the Pictish and Scoto-Gaelic cultures.
Kenneth moved the seat of royal power and the legendary 'Stone of Destiny' from Dunstaffnage to Scone. This union of peoples laid the foundation for the nation of Scotland in the face of Viking raids.
Genealogy and Early Records Despite claims by the Siol Alpin (seven clans claiming descent from Alpin), there is no surviving genealogy directly connecting modern MacAlpines to King Alpin. However, the surname appears in historical records as early as 1260 with John MacAlpyne in Glenalmond, and later with patriots like Monaghe fiz Alpyn who were forced to render homage to Edward I of England in 1296.
Modern DNA evidence supports the clan's complex history, showing two distinct genetic origins among present-day MacAlpines: an eastern "Pict" line and a western "Scot" line.
The Clan Today For centuries, the MacAlpines operated without a Chief of Names and Arms. This began to change following a Family Convention in 2016. In April 2017, the Lord Lyon issued a commission to Michael McAlpin as Commander of the Name. This marked a historic step toward the official recognition of a Chief for one of Scotland’s most distinguished surnames.