Origins & Founding
The illustrious history of **Clan Cumming**, also historically known as Clan Comyn or de Comyn, traces its roots to Norman France, specifically the town of Comines near Lille on the border with Belgium. The name itself is a place-name derivation, reflecting the clan's continental origins, with some traditions boldly claiming descent from the Emperor Charlemagne himself, underscoring their noble lineage. This Norman heritage arrived in Britain with the Conquest of 1066, when Robert de Comyn accompanied William the Conqueror and was rewarded with the Earldom of Northumberland.
The clan's establishment in Scotland came in the reign of King David I (1124–1153), when Robert's grandson, William de Comyn, crossed the border and received lands in Roxburghshire. William rose meteorically to become Chancellor of Scotland, marking the beginning of Comyn dominance. His nephew, Richard Comyn, further entrenched the family through a strategic marriage to Hextilda, granddaughter of Donald III (Donald Bane), linking them to the ancient Scottish royal line of Duncan I. This union propelled the Comyns into the upper echelons of Scottish nobility.
By the mid-12th century, the Scottish Comyn dynasty was firmly rooted, with William Cumin noted as Justiciar of Scotland. Etymologically, the Gaelic name Cuimean evolved from the Norman 'Comyn', adapting to Highland speech as 'Cumming' in later branches. Earliest records confirm Richard Comyn's chancellorship in 1133 and land grants under David I. Some antiquarian theories, like those in Logan's Scottish Clans, speculate a pre-Norman native clan in Badenoch named Clann Chuimein, citing an abbot Cumine of Iona in 597 AD, but this remains unproven and is largely dismissed in favour of the documented Norman provenance. Through the 13th century, the Comyns amassed unprecedented power, holding earldoms of Buchan, Menteith, Atholl, and the lordship of Badenoch, with one lord, four earls, and over 30 belted knights bearing the name.
Key Historical Events
The Comyns were pivotal in medieval Scottish politics, their fortunes intertwined with royal successions and wars of independence. In 1290, following the death of Margaret, Maid of Norway, 'Black' John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, was one of six Guardians of Scotland and a throne claimant via his descent from Donald Bane. The Comyns invited Edward I of England to arbitrate, supporting John Balliol's kingship—Balliol married Black Comyn's sister, cementing ties.
The clan's nemesis emerged in Robert the Bruce. On 10 February 1306, in Greyfriars Kirk, Dumfries, Bruce stabbed Red John Comyn (Lord of Badenoch) to death during a parley, an act of sacrilege that excommunicated Bruce temporarily but sparked his path to the throne. Comyn's son, young John, sought vengeance but fell at Bannockburn in 1314 fighting for England. Bruce systematically dismantled Comyn power: Lochindorb Castle, their Badenoch stronghold, was razed in 1308; their allies were crushed, and vast estates forfeited.
Earlier triumphs included Walter Comyn, Earl of Menteith, securing Badenoch from Alexander II. The family oscillated allegiances, with Red Comyn fighting variably for Scotland and England. Post-Bannockburn, the 'Black Comyn' branch (not directly from Devorguilla) survived persecution, acquiring Altyre in Moray under David II and Robert II. They endured as a Highland clan through Jacobite risings, their resilience emblematic of Scottish feudal tenacity.
Famous Figures
Clan Cumming boasts a pantheon of influential leaders. **William de Comyn** (d. 1170s), Chancellor and Earl of Buchan via marriage to Marjorie, Countess of Buchan, laid the dynasty's foundation. **Richard Comyn** (d. c.1170s), his kinsman, married into royalty, begetting the powerful line.
**John 'Black' Comyn** (c.1269–1306), Lord of Badenoch, was a Guardian and throne contender, his rivalry with Bruce legendary. **Red Comyn** (John III, d.1306), stabbed by Bruce, epitomised Comyn ambition. **Walter Comyn**, Earl of Menteith and Badenoch lord, expanded territories under Alexander II.
In modern times, the chiefly line at Altyre shines: **Sir Alexander Penrose Gordon-Cumming** (1848–1939), 8th Baronet, was a renowned officer, big-game hunter, conservationist, and chief, authoring African adventures. The current chief, **Sir Alexander 'Alastair' Penrose Gordon Cumming, 14th Baronet of Altyre**, upholds the lineage at Altyre House, Moray, symbolising enduring heritage.
Stories & Legends
Clan lore brims with drama. The Dumfries kirk slaying is immortalised: Bruce, cornered by Red Comyn's taunts, plunged a dagger into him at the altar, his companion Kirkpatrick finishing the deed with 'I mak siccar' (I make sure). This bloody pact propelled Bruce's coronation.
Legends claim Charlemagne descent via a daughter, bestowing imperial aura. Supernatural tales swirl around Lochindorb Castle, the 'black loch' isle fortress, said haunted by Comyn spirits post-Bruce's destruction—ghostly warriors roam misty shores, cursing Bruce's line. Native Badenoch myths posit Clann Chuimein as ancient Celts, predating Normans, with Cumine the abbot as progenitor, though scholarly scepticism prevails.
A scandalous yarn involves a Comyn earl's daughter eloping, sparking feuds, while tales of 32 belted knights charging under Comyn banners evoke chivalric glory.
Clan Lands & Castles
Traditionally rooted in **Badenoch** and **Buchan**, with Morayshire seats, the Comyns ruled vast swathes. Badenoch's Lords held Lochaber, ruling from **Lochindorb Castle** (13th century), an impregnable crannog fortress on a man-made island in Lochindorb, Moray—Bruce's forces flooded it in 1308, ruins persist as brooding relics.
In Buchan, they dominated via the earldom; Menteith and Atholl followed. Altyre, Moray, became the post-medieval chief seat, granted by David II and Robert II—**Altyre House**, a Georgian mansion amid 17,000 acres, remains the family home. Other strongholds included castles in Roxburghshire and Strathbogie. Significant sites: Greyfriars Kirk, Dumfries (slaying site); Holywell Haugh, Berwick (1291 claimants' meet).
Tartans, Symbols & Traditions
Clan Cumming's **motto** is Courage, reflecting martial spirit. The **crest badge** features a lion rampant Gules holding a dagger, symbolising ferocity. The **war cry** is 'Ceum an fhir' (Stride of the man), a Highland battle roar. Their **clan plant badge** is the rowan (mountain ash), tied to Moray lands and protective folklore.
**Tartans** include the Cumming Ancient (green-based with black, blue, white stripes), Cumming Modern (brighter variant), and Altyre dress tartan, worn by chiefs. These patterns, registered post-19th century, evoke Buchan moors and Badenoch hills, adorning kilts at gatherings.
Alliances & Rivalries
Strategic marriages forged alliances: Buchan earldom via Marjorie; royal ties to Donald III; Balliol kinship elevated them. They backed Balliol against Bruce, allying with English at times.
Rivalries were venomous: mortal feud with **Clan Bruce** culminated in Dumfries murder and Bannockburn. Feuds with **Clan MacDuff** (Buchan rivals), **Clan Campbell** (later land grabs), and **Clan Gordon** (northeast power struggles) marked history. Post-fall, branches allied with Stewarts, surviving Jacobite era. Associated septs include **Comyn**, **Farquharson** (Badenoch kin), **MacThomas** (allies).[user]
Modern Clan
Today, Clan Cumming thrives via the chiefly Cummings of Altyre, led by Sir Alastair Gordon Cumming at Altyre House, Moray—a hub for heritage. The **Clan Cumming Society** (USA-based, clancumming.us) and international branches foster kinship, with DNA projects tracing Norman roots.
Diaspora spans North America, Australia, New Zealand—gatherings at Highland Games (e.g., Moray, Texas, California) feature tartans, pipes, and chief visits. Altyre hosts events; societies publish newsletters, support genealogy. Modern descendants include politicians, sportsmen like rugby's Cummings kin. Revived post-1745, they embody resilience, with 2020s projects digitising archives. Globally, thousands bear Cumming/Comyn, united by courage motto and rowan badge.