History of the Mackenzies in Scotland and Elsewhere

The exact origin of the Clan Mackenzie is somewhat shrouded. In the seventeenth century it was believed that Colin/Cailean, the first Chief of the Mackenzies, came from Ireland in 1262 and may have been the son of the Norman family of Fitzgerald, Earls of Desmond and Dukes of Leinster, or possibly a soldier of fortune descended from the ancient Italian family of Gherardini. Later studies however direct the descendancy with more surety to descent from Gilleon na Aird, with a close connection to the Clans Anrias (Ross), Matheson, Macmahon and McIntyre.

Clan Mackenzie came to power with the rise of Colin as Governor of Eilean Donan. The records held at Iona state that he distinguished himself at the Battle of Largs, and saved the life of his King by killing a stag as it charged him whilst hunting. He was rewarded with the post of Governor of Eilean Donan Castle in 1265.

His wife was the daughter of Kenneth MacMahon (MacMathion or Matheson) of Lochalsh, who was connected to the O'Beolan Earls of Ross and Gilleon Og. For descent from Colin/Cailean view the UK site

Reasons for Emigration

For the Scottish people of the nineteenth century, emigration must have been a hard road to take — and deportations worse. There were many reasons for choosing to emigrate. In every generation there those who seek adventure and will not be held back. However religion, politics and economic necessity were behind the migrations for most.

Controversy within the churches led some to seek new lands in which to establish their faith. The Church was a popular career and many 'men of the cloth' were Mackenzies and MacRaes. When reading it is difficult to tell who followed which branch of belief. The walls of the Manse at Gairloch had cupboards reputed to be used for holding captured recruits for the press-gangs. Were they from the congregation or the opposition!

Clearances

Hard economic times meant that the paid option of joining the armed forces was tempting and many young men volunteered to assure them a secure income — if not lifestyle. Following the clearances and decades of marginalisation, the crofters were politically decimated and were considered of little use to the emerging industrial capitalistic society. Few in high places concerned themselves with their plight.

The effect of the clearances on the land, as well as the people was dramatic. After centuries of crofting, where the people lived from and with the land and sea without dramatically changing the ecological balance, the land was rapidly transformed to pasture. Today, forests are once again beginning to clothe the hills, but with modern methods of farming and the lure of city life, the sons and daughters of the rural people continue to drift away, the land remaining as empty as it was after the clearances.

Wars

The Mackenzies were great fighting men. It is written that in 1427, Great Kenneth could raise 2,000 men. They were involved in the battles of Bannockburn, Otterburn, Flodden, Pinkie, Langside, Culloden and Braemar. In the 1770s, almost the entire 78th Regiment of 1130 men were Mackenzie followers. Later, the Ross-shire Buffs who fought in India, had many Mackenzie names on their roles.

After Culloden there were Mackenzies among those sent chained in galley holds to the West Indies. It is worth noting here that there was a total absence of the name in the lists of convicts sent to Australia. Records from the Men of Loch Broom, published in 1922, shows that from all over the world young Scots went out to fight in 1914-18. Again in 1939-45, young men and women followed their forefathers into war.

Legacy

The legacy of the Highland way of life continues within Scotland and around the world where young Scots travelled and settled. In New Zealand over 400 Scottish orientated groups exist i.e. Clan Societies Caledonian Societies, Pipe Bands, all types of Highland Dancing clubs. It is a proud heritage.

Mackenzie was the only clan whose territory stretched from coast to coast, at one time extending from Applecross to the Firth of Moray. In c.1600 Mackenzie Kintail gained a Royal Charter for the whole of the Long Island (the Lews), now known as Lewis. In 1607 all the land from Strathnaver to Ardnamurchan was Mackenzie owned.

The Mackenzies have always been a family interested in learning and even in early days made sure that there was education available. Music, poetry and literature were high in the list of achievements.

History Book

A book is available from the Canadian Chapter of the Clan MacKenzie Society in the Americas at http://www.electricscotland.com/mackenzie/historybook.htm. Written by Alan McKenzie, who founded the Canadian Clan MacKenzie Society, it covers much of the history of the MacKenzies both in Scotland and world-wide.

History of the Mackenzies in New Zealand

Waipu in the Northland area was one of the main settlements of Scottish people and mostly they came under the auspices of Rev. Norman Macleod who arranged ships from Nova Scotia when his settlement there had become unsuitable. Most of these people were originally from the West Coast of Scotland and their desire to leave was financial.

Port Chalmers and into Southland tended to be a very Scottish destination and there were also many Scots on the four ships that came into Petone in 1840.

At present the Society is compiling a book which will contain stories of what the Mackenzie families achieved after their arrival and we would welcome contributions from any descendants.

Society Beginnings

The New Zealand Clan MacKenzie/Mckenzie Society began in the year 1995.

As recalled by Sonia Mackenzie, Lieutenant to the Cabarfeidh from 2004 to 2009...

"It was a combination of suggestions and ideas from Margaret, the late Donald Mackenzie Commissioner of the Australian Society, and Jim Thwaites that eventually led us to a morning tea meeting with our Cabarfeidh, Lord John Cromartie at Castle Leod Strathpeffer in 1994. He was very enthusiastic about a Clan Society being formed in New Zealand, he asked Jock and myself to take on the job as Joint Commissioners to get things underway and that is how it all came about. We held an Inaugural meeting in Palmerston North in May 1995.

"27 people attended and from there the Society has gone forward in a very rewarding manner.

"We traveled to Scotland to the 2nd Worldwide Mackenzie Gathering in 2000 at Strathpeffer - 27 New Zealanders - and the whole event was finished with us, accompanied by our piper Ian McKenzie, singing Now is the Hour in both Maori and English."

In 2001 Jock was very honoured when Cabarfeidh elected to name him as his NZ Lieutenant, a position which he held until his death in 2004.

Cabarfeidh then asked Sonia Mackenzie to become his Lieutenent — a position held for 5 years. The present Lieutenant is Donald Mckenzie of Fortrose in Southland.

The structure of the Society has Cabarfeidh as the top point, with a New Zealand Lieutenant, a Senior Commissioner, Commissioners in both Islands, and the usual Officers.

Officers are listed on the back of the four newsletters we send out each year. A committee of 7-8 is complimented by area representatives who are expected to search out new members and if possible arrange a local event each year. All representatives are welcome to sit in at Committee meetings and as we have a pot luck lunch after each meeting, members are invited to join in too.

The aims of the Society The aims of the Clan MacKenzie Society of New Zealand are: To promote friendship and kinship amongst Clan Members. To have written communication between members. To arrange gatherings of members. To collect genealogical history. To support & promote Scottish culture.