History of the Clan

HISTORY OF THE CLAN

Moncreiffe is an old Scottish name.  The name is derived from the Gaelic words "monadh" meaning a moor or hill pasture and "craoibhe" meaning tree; therefore the name means "the moor of hill-land of the trees." Moncreiffe Hill lies on a peninsula between the Rivers Tay and Earn, 3 miles southeast of Perth.  Appropriately, the badge of the clan features an oak tree.  According to "Scottish Clans and Family Names," the name is taken from the lands of Moncreiffe which were gifted by Alexander II in 1248 to Sir Matthew Moncreiffe, who also held lands in Strathearn, Fife, and Atholl, and who possibly descended from Duncan I's brother, Maldred.

In 1568, William of that Ilk, 11th Chief, entered into a treaty with 'the haill Name of Murray' for their mutual defense.  The bond was increased between the Moncreiffes and the Murrays intermarrying at least twice a century and sometimes more often.  The Moncreiffes have been associated with Atholl since before 1266.  Lands formed part of the Barony of Moncreiffe until 1598.  All the last five lairds of Moncreiffe have been officers of the Atholl Highlanders.

Sir Thomas Moncreiffe was Clerk of the Exchequer and Treasury during the reigns of Charles II, James VII, and II, and William and Mary.  Sir Thomas bought land from kinsman and became first in line of baronets inheriting the family estate.

Sir Iain Moncreiffe of the Ilk also inherited his title and lands from a kinsman, and was Albany Herald at  the court of the Lord Lyon.  In 1946, he married the only child of the 22nd Earl of Erroll, who had become a Countess in her own right.  On her death, her two sons would inherit titles.  In 1998, her second son, the Honorable Peregrine Moncreiffe, became Chief of the Name in succession to his cousin Miss Elisabeth Moncrieffe, the late baroness.