History of Clan Mackie
The Fiery Origins of Clan Mackie
The name Mackie (or M'Kie) is derived from the Gaelic MacAodha, meaning "Son of Aodh." The personal name Aodh translates to "Fire," suggesting an ancient and spirited lineage. While the name appears early in Stirlingshire (with a William Makke witnessing a charter in 1491), the clan found its true home and power in the district of Galloway in southwest Scotland.
The principal family was the Mackies of Larg, who rose to prominence in the 16th and 17th centuries. They were fervent Covenanters and expanded their territory to include the lands of Bargaly and Auchencairn near Castle Douglas.
The Legend of the Ravens and the Arrow
The history of the clan is immortalized in its striking coat of arms: two ravens skewered by a single arrow, with a lion above them. This unique symbol stems from a famous legend involving King Robert the Bruce. According to tradition, while the King was a fugitive in 1306, he was sheltered by a widow named Anabel and her three sons near Loch Dee. The sons were expert archers. To demonstrate their skill to the King, the eldest son, Mackie, took aim at two ravens perched on a distant rock (or tree). With a single arrow, he skewered both birds through the neck. Impressed, Bruce recruited them to his cause. After his victory, he granted the family the lands of Cumloden and the right to bear the pierced ravens on their shield, with the lion representing the King as a witness to the feat.
Ulster and the Northern Connection
In the early 17th century, Sir Patrick Mackie of Larg played a significant role in British history as one of the original fifty Scottish "undertakers" in the Plantation of Ulster. He acquired 1,000 acres near Donegal, establishing a foothold in Ireland, although these lands were later lost to the Earl of Annandale.
Historians also suggest a fascinating link between the Mackies of Galloway and the famous Clan MacKay of the far north (Strathnaver). It is believed they may share a common ancestor, Martin of Strathnaver, who settled in Galloway. This kinship was recognized by Sir Donald MacKay, Lord Reay, who commanded a regiment in the Thirty Years' War in which Sir Patrick Mackie served as an officer. Both men even signed their names as "Mackie," highlighting the close bond between the two distant clans.
The Clan Today
Although the direct chiefly line of Mackie of Larg is dormant, making the clan armigerous (without a recognized Chief), the name remains prominent across Scotland and the diaspora. Mackies can still be found in large numbers in Kirkcudbrightshire. The clan's motto, Labora (Endeavour), reflects the enduring spirit of the family that once impressed a King with a single arrow.