MacBean,MacBeath, MacBeth, Macilvain, MacVean
Bean (rhymes with VAIN)
This is one of Anton's Scottish clans
Gaelic Name: MacBheathain Motto: Touch not the cat bot a
targe The motto is a warning to those who would be so imprudent
(and by implication a MacIlvain) without a shield.
(translation: Mess with my children and you'll never need a shield again)
Badge: Red whortleberry or Boxwood
Origin of Name: Son of Beatham
History The Gaelic 'Ban' or Bain means ‘fair’ and with Scottish blood made up with so much Norse and Germanic stock this descriptive term could have been applied to many people. Indeed the name is found associated with several clans in many districts.
There was an early Scottish King called
Donald Ban. Through various Gaelic manipulations the three forms of the name have become MacBean, McVean and MacBain. One of Anton's Scottish lines is the
MacIlvaines of
Carrick, the Lords of Grimmet, who held
Thomaston Castle for nearly a century.
Above: An artist's rendition of Thomastoun Castle as it looked in the 16th century, when
Anton's 13th Great Grandfather Gilberto M'Ilveyne and his wife Jonet Corry of Kelwood, the
Lairds of Grimmet, lived here. Thomastoun Castle is located close to Maybole and Culzean Castle in Ayrshire. Originally built in the 13th century probably by Thomas Bruce, a nephew of Robert the Bruce, it was later extended with a tower house in the 16th century when it was then owned by the
Corries of Kelwood. It later passed by marriage to the MacIlvaines of Grimmet who held the castle for a century. In Abercrombie's "Account of Thomaston", the following description appears: The ancient castle of Thomaston, beautifully situated within sight of the Firth of Clyde,
opposite Ailsa Craig, was acquired by the Makilvane family by marriage.
Ailsa Craig as seen from the South Ayrshire coast
The castle from which the Lairds took their name (Grimmet) was a fortress built of stone with moat and tower on the southwest side of a large valley
overlooking the River Doon, and was as nearly impregnable as it was possible to make it in those days (ca 1200). It was situated in sight of Keirs castle, the home of the Shaws, with whom the Lairds had much in common, intermarrying frequently in succeeding generations. It sat on a fairly level site (possibly man made) overlooked by Grimmet hill rising several hundred feet above immediately to the south. In turn, the site provides a magnificent view of the entire Doon valley stretching for miles to the east and north several hundred feet below, overlooking the old Roman Road built at the time of the Roman invasion.
Robert The Bruce, King of Scotland, Anton's 22nd Great Grandfather
Thomaston Castle overlooked The River Doon. This is the famous Brig o'Doon (Bridge over the River Doon).
Brig o'Doon is featured in many of Robert Burns' writings, as well as being the inspiration for
Below: Painting by Robert Ronald McIan. Date of print: 1899, published in Glasgow by David Bryce & Son.
Anton's 1st Great Grandmother Hulda McIlvain was a descendant of the McIlvane Lords of Grimmet in Ayrshire Scotland. As noted in other sections of this website, the northern parts of the British Isles have strong viking influences. "Hulda" is a cognate with Scandinavian beings known as the Huldra and the völva Huld. In the olden days of Britain, "Hulda" was associated with the old low German / old Saxon goddess Hulda.
As a legal anthropologist, Anton is a scholar of Marriage and Kinship, and particularly interested in the folklore of Hulda. In 2007, Anton studied old Viking lore in Norway, and took the Flåm Railway to visit Kojsfossen Waterfall where the Huldra are celebrated in folkloric choreography.
Huldra at Kojsfossen Flåm
Kojsfossen Flåm
Kojsfossen Flåm
PATRICK McILVANE succeeded his father, Gilbert, October 25, 1547, and became Laird of Grimmet for the years, 1547 to 1613. The estates at this time included Upper Grimmet, Lower or Nether Grimmet and Attiquin. The records of Frank McElvain list the children of Patrick and Isobel Kennedy as John (m Jane Corry), Patrick (m Jane Forrester 12-4-1615), Thomas, David, and Alexander. Thomas was alive in 1617 (Glasgow Commissariat). PBGR mentions Patrick apprenticed to William Haliburton in Edinburgh (probably son of Patrick and Jane Forrester.) A decree of absolution on record at Holyrood, February 1592, made by the Privy Council in favor of John, Earl of Cassilis, names five Mcllvanes Patrick Mcllvene, elder of Grimmet, John Mcllveanne of Grimmet, younger, John Mcllveanne of Auchenharrie, Gilbert Mcllveane, Flesheur, in Maybole, and David Mcllveane, Flesheur in Maybole. The word 'Flesheur' refers to theretailing of meats, or the flesh of animals for food. Other records indicate Alexander, whose will dated August 1, 1620 made him a resident of Ballantrae.
At Holyrood House, Edinburgh, 22 Feb. 1597, a document was signed by King James VI confirming the lands as follows 'The King as administrator,etc., confirms to one Patrick Mcllivane of Grumet (from whom Isobella Kennedy, his wife, is conveyed a life estate) 2 1/2 measures of land inthe Manor of Lower Grumet and 1/2 measure of land adjacent, called Willistoun (occupied by J.C. McClymouth) according to the old survey also to John Mcllvane his son and heir apparent, and to his male heirs whomsoever, 6 measures of land of Grumet, 6 1/2 measures of land of Lower Grumet, and Attiquin, with their mansions, houses, fisheries and woods in the County of Carrik, called Air, excepting reserving to the said Patrick the free use thereof and may redeem these lands from the said John by paying five pounds at the parish church of Maybole on 40 days warning. Held of Henry I, Lord and Seneschal of Scotland and Earl of Carrick. II
In the Register of Sasines for 1601, Patrick's wife is referred to as 'Isobel Kennedy, Lady Grymett'. This has given rise to all sorts of speculation. Torrence and Allied Families declares that 'Sir Patrick was knighted for bravery on the field of battle'. What battle is not told. It seems much more likely that Isobell brought the title of 'Lady' with her. One source says she was the widow of Kennedy of Knockdon. Since the use of the title after the name denotes a widow, it seems fairly plain that is all it means and had nothing to do with Patrick, no matter how brave he may have been.
These were particularly violent times in the history of Scotland. The Reformation was in full swing, and the religious upheaval is indicated by the following
On May 19, 1553, Hugh and David Kennedy came with 100 followers with jacks, spears, and guns to the Parish Kirk of Kirkoswald and the College Kirk of Maybole, and abused the sacrament of OHaly Kirk', (The elements of the Mass and other sacred items. ) The Earl of Carrick was quick to respond, and a number of persons had to give caution (bond) afterwards to the extent of 3,000 Pounds for their future good Behavior.
At about the same time, one of the Kennedys living at Dunure tried to seize the lands of Crossaugel Abbey. He tried to persuade the person responsible for the deeds to turn them over by slowly roasting him over a fire. He survived the roasting, but did not turn over the deeds.
The Lairds of Grimmet were involved in a particularly bitter feud between the Kennedy Earls of Cassilis
and their cousins, the Kennedy House of Bargany, which reached its most intense fury between 1569 and 1602. It climaxed with the kidnapping of the Countess of Cassilis as she returned to Ayr from a visit in Galloway. She was escorted as she travelled by various members of the family and friends, among whom was John. 'the young Laird of Grimet' .
Pitcairns History of the Kennedys is quoted The Laird of Dramurchie (Thomas Kennedy, brother of the Laird of Bargany) besieged the House of Auchinsull and took prisoners the Countess of Cassilis and the young Laird of Grimak and Quentin Crawford. A fatal encounter took place between the Earl of Cassilis and the Laird of Bargany (Gilbert Kennedy) in which Gilbert Kennedy's 'Horse was slain and the Earl's bridle was shot in two, whereby his horse cast him and struck his arm out of joint. The young Laird of Grimak was stricken through the chin and he and his horse both strucken to the earth. This wound was almost certainly not fatal, as is sometime reported, for John appears in several records after this date.
In 1602, the Register of the Privy Council shows an order by the king for Lady Bargeny to put at liberty Hew, Master of Cassilis, McIlvane youngerof Grumet and others 'lately apprehended by Thomas Kennedy of Drummurchie and his accomplices'. According to Robertson, Thomas Kennedy had taken the prisoners to the family castle and turned them over to the care of his mother, Lady Bargany. Hew Kennedy had been wounded, as well as John McIlvain, and she supplied the nursing.
Later in 1602 the king issued a Decreet of Absolvitor concerning a retaliation by the Earl. 'By the Privy Council in favor of John, Earl of Cassilis and others for 'convocation of his highness O lieges, and bearing and wearing of jacks, steel bonnets, corslets and lances, hackbutts and pistols, breaking of his highness' peace'.' It goes on to say 'That where, upon the elleventh day of December instant, Johnne, Earl of Cassilis, John Corrie of Kelwood, Hew Kennedy of Penqhuirry, John Davidsoun of Penny glen, Oliver Laird of Culleinzie, Patrick Mcilveane, elder of Gremmat, Johne Mcilveane, younger of Gremmat ... Alexander Schaw, tutour of Gremmat to be warned by the laws of this realm and Acts of Parliament come in hostile and warlike manner furth the town of Mayboll, and lay at wait for Gilbert Kennedy of Bargany, his freinds and servants, as they were coming the highway from the burgh of Air towards the said Lard Os own dwelling house, and invaded and persued them of their lives'. There follows a description of the battle, saying that a number of firearms were discharged and a number of Bragany's company were 'hurt and wounded'. And more to the point, Gilbert of Bargany was slain. Again the tone of the complaint was not so much the doing in of Bargany, but it has a rather plaintive ring as it goes on 'they have .broken his highness O peace in that countrey; whereby many inconveniences are like to fall out, to the trouble and disquieting of the whole country, without remedy being provided. ' The Earl of Cassilis and everyone concerned with the fracas were slapped on the wrist and told that, since they admitted to disorderly conduct and promised to keep 'his highness O peace and keeping of good rule and quietnes in the country hereafter, under the pain of rebellion ', no further action would be taken.
Also in 1602, the Privy Council issued bonds which guaranteed that Patrick Mcilvaine of Grumet and his son, John the Younger of Grumet, would not 'intercommune' with Adam Boyd of Pinkhill during his rebellion.
In 1604 bonds were again issued against Patrick and John not to harm James, Earl of Moray, his tutors or curators.
In 1604 there was a summons of treason against Thomas Kennedy of Drummurchie and Walter Mure of Cloncarde for murderous attacks on the Earl of Cassillis who, with John McllVane younger and others, was taken prisoner and incarcerated for 15 days.
Other records of Patrick McIlvane include signing as a witness in a deed, January 4, 1586, an he was a witness to a caution by John Kennedy, 1608.
Patrick died in November 1613. His testament dative (will) is recorded 15 June, 1615.
Patrick married Isobella KENNEDY Lady
