Clan Burnett (Burnett Tartan)

1. About Clan Burnett (Burnett Tartan)

2. Clan Burnett History (Burnett Tartan)

Even while it has been claimed that the family is descended from the Normans, it is more likely that the surname Burnett is a form of Burnard, which is derived from the Old English character Beornheard, who lived in England before to 1066. Beornheard, which is Saxon for "bear hand," is also occasionally translated as "brave warrior."

The de Bernard family, who arrived to Scotland in the 12th century on David I's retinue, initially made their home in the south, where some of them persisted and became the Burnetts of Barns.

The main branch moved to Kincardineshire and established themselves as the Burnetts of Leys.

Alexander Burnett, who backed Robert the Bruce, was given a plot of land in the regal Forest of Drum and the position of forester.

The "Horn of Leys," an ivory horn that hangs in the main hall of Crathes Castle, is said to have been given by Bruce as a sign of this. Robert, his great-grandson, received the initial "of Leys" designation in 1446.

The Burnett family's connection with the church has been rocky; yet, they are known to have granted estates and endowments in the fifteenth century.

Later, Burnett invited the local priest Father Ambrose to participate in discussions in a land dispute between himself and the neighbouring Laird of Drum, but he declined.

Infuriated, Burnett forbade the local monks from fishing in the Loch of Leys. Burnett and the monks who cursed him became angry as a result of this.

He then made an attempt to drain the loch, but his son was killed in the process, and following the tragedy, the two sides were amicable.

The Crathes Castle, built in 1533 in Kincardineshire to the north of the Dee, serves as the clan's administrative center. Construction of the castle, which is still L-shaped, took 40 years. The ghost of Crathes Castle is also said to exist.

The ghost is thought to be Bertha de Bernard, a Burnett family relation who is said to have been poisoned (some claim by Lady Agnes Burnett) after falling in love with one of her engaged cousins.

According to legend, Bertha's father cursed the family, and until the 17th century, a 'Green Lady' was reportedly seen in the castle as a sign of bad omens for the home.

Charles I appointed Sir Thomas Burnett a Baronet of Nova Scotia in 1626. He was the Marquis of Montrose's acquaintance and relative, and he also backed the Covenant.

His son was one of the few Scottish parliamentarians to reject the 1707 Act of Union, serving in the previous Scottish parliament.

Sir Robert Burnett of Leys left no heirs when he died, and the title was severely fought for seven years before it finally passed to Thomas Burnett of Criggie.

During the American Wars, the seventh Baronet served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and was captured at Saratoga in 1777. In the First World War, a Gordon Highlanders brigade was headed by Major General Sir James Burnett of Leys, twelfth Baronet.

He received many mentions in dispatches and twice received the DSO and the French Legion of Honor. The current chief is his grandson, who continues to reside on the family's grounds.

3. Clan Burnett Tartans

The Burnett is a relatively new tartan that Lochcarron created.

'Ancient' refers to the dye colours, which are often lighter, and'modern' refers to the darker dye shades.

Threadcount R58 G6 R8 G28 Y6 G28 R/8 A/8 R58

Burnett Ancient

Burnett Modern

Burnett of Leys

4. Clan Burnett Crest & Coats of Arms

4.1 Clan Burnett Crest

Worn by all of the name and ancestry

4.2 Clan Burnett Coat of Arms

Note on Coats of Arms: A coat of arms is given to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist.

With the exclusions listed above, the weapons depicted below are personal weapons. The only person authorized to use these weapons is the grantee.

Coat of arms of the Chief, James C. A. Burnett of Leys

Burnett of Leys

Charles John Burnett H.M. Ross Herald of Arms

Arms: each chevron A holly leaf between two quills and a contourné-stringed hunting horn are displayed in the center of an azure and argent field, all counterchanged.
Crest: A demi angel wearing armor with displayed wings and a collar with a fringed pendant is presented. A quill is held in each of Azure's hands. Azure
Motto: FORWARD WHILE LOOKING BACK
Grant: March 10, 1982. 75th folio, 63rd volume, Lyon Register.
Behind the shield are the crossed batons of a Herald, the cross of a Knight of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, and a Collar of Esses.

5. Clan Burnett Places & People 

5.1 Clan Burnett Places

The ancestral home of the Burnett family, Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire, was founded on grounds given to the Burnett of Leys by Robert the Bruce in 1323. Alexander Burnett of Leys started building the existing castle in 1553 and finished it in 1596.

Over the course of four decades, there were numerous delays, primarily because of political difficulties under Mary, Queen of Scots' stormy rule.

These territories had previously been home to timber fortifications from the 13th and 14th centuries before the stone fortress was built there.

After nearly 400 years in the ownership of the Burnett family, Sir James Burnett, 13th Baronet, sold Crathes Castle to the National Trust for Scotland in 1951. Visitors are welcome at the Crathes Castle Estate.

5.2 Clan Burnett People

Gilbert Burnet (1643 – 1715)

Bishop of Salisbury, Scottish theologian, and historian. He was fluent in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Dutch, and French. Gilbert was well-known as a writer, historian, and academic in addition to being a revered cleric, preacher, and professor.

In 1643, he was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of a Royalist and Episcopalian lawyer who later became a judge and of Johnston of Warristoun, a prominent Covenanter.

When he first started attending the University of Aberdeen, his father served as his first tutor. At the age of thirteen, he graduated with a Master of Arts in philosophy from the university.

He briefly studied law before deciding to pursue religion, and by the age of 18, he had received his Doctor of Divinity. He spent a number of years traveling instead of starting his ministry at that time.

He traveled to the United Provinces, France, London, Oxford, Cambridge, and Cambridge. In Amsterdam, he pursued Hebrew study under a Rabbi. By 1665, he had returned to Scotland, where the Bishop of Edinburgh had ordained him.

He started his ministry in the small church in Saltoun, East Lothian, and devotedly served this area for four years. Without his request or his approval, he was appointed to the open Divinity chair at the University of Glasgow in 1669.

His church had overwhelmingly begged him to stay, so at first he declined. But he agreed to the position after being persuaded by Bishop of Edinburgh Leighton.

In 1674, he left the university and relocated to London due to the unrest in the political climate. His political and religious beliefs in London led him to support the Whigs.

His vivacious personality encouraged him to participate actively in the debates of the day and he made an effort to mediate a settlement between the Episcopacy and Presbytery.

He was well liked by Charles II when he left for London and obtained a number of preferments from him.

The first volume of his History of the Reformation of the Church of England, for which he gained praise from the English Parliament, was published in 1679, and the remaining two volumes, published in 1682 and 1714, substantially improved his literary reputation.

Although Catholics contested some of its content, for more than a century this served as the industry standard reference work.

He lost favor at Court as a result of a letter of rebuke he dared to write to the King, and since he found James II's policies to be deeply distasteful, he decided to leave for the United Provinces in 1687, where he joined the Prince of Orange's council.

Upon his return to the Kingdom of England, he was appointed Bishop of Salisbury, an office he graced with liberal beliefs and a vigorous performance of his duties.

He ordered that History of My Own Times not be published until six years after his passing. This work is the main source of his reputation. 1723 saw its debut.

A brief overview of the Civil War and the Commonwealth of England's history is provided, along with a thorough examination of the years immediately following, up to 1713.

It is written with a true aim for honesty and fairness, albeit it is not entirely free of egotism and some party feeling.

It also mainly has the authority of an eyewitness. The aesthetic is bright and lovely, if a little lacking in dignity. The quality of this work led to modern reprints of it under the title The History of His Own Times, though these were condensed.

A History of the Dukes of Hamilton and an Exposition of the 39 Articles are just two of his other works.

6. Associated Names

Burnett Burnet, Burnette, Bernat Burnat, Bernet, Burnap, Burnard, Barnard, Barnett, Barnette, Barnet, Bornet, Bornat, Mac Burnet