Clan Arthur
The Scottish name MacArthur (Gaelic: Mhic Artair, meaning "Son of Arthur") carries with it an ancient legacy, its true origins shrouded in the mists of time, fairy tales, political intrigue, and outright deception. As an old Argyll proverb wisely states:
“There is none older, save the hills, the Devil, and MacArthur.”
This saying may seem like a mere relic of the past, but it reveals much about the illustrious lineage of the Children of Arthur. The concept of the Devil, introduced to pagan Argyll by Saint Columba, the father of the Celtic Church, around 563 AD, marks a significant shift in cultural beliefs.
The Children of Arthur proudly trace their lineage back to the legendary "King" Arthur, a 6th-century Christian war chief of the Strathclyde Britons, who lived alongside Saint Columba. The Red Book of Argyll highlights that the clan's ancestor is “Smervie Mhor, the son of Arthur of the Round Table, born in the Red Hall at Dumbarton. However, he never claimed the throne, as he was deemed a wild man of the woods”—or perhaps remained true to his pagan roots in a newly Christianized society. This connection to such a revered figure not only fortifies the clan's historical significance but also enriches their cultural identity.
The Scottish name MacArthur (Gaelic: Mhic Artair, meaning "Son of Arthur") carries with it an ancient legacy, its true origins shrouded in the mists of time, fairy tales, political intrigue, and outright deception. As an old Argyll proverb wisely states:
“There is none older, save the hills, the Devil, and MacArthur.”
This saying may seem like a mere relic of the past, but it reveals much about the illustrious lineage of the Children of Arthur. The concept of the Devil, introduced to pagan Argyll by Saint Columba, the father of the Celtic Church, around 563 AD, marks a significant shift in cultural beliefs.
The Children of Arthur proudly trace their lineage back to the legendary "King" Arthur, a 6th-century Christian war chief of the Strathclyde Britons, who lived alongside Saint Columba. The Red Book of Argyll highlights that the clan's ancestor is “Smervie Mhor, the son of Arthur of the Round Table, born in the Red Hall at Dumbarton. However, he never claimed the throne, as he was deemed a wild man of the woods”—or perhaps remained true to his pagan roots in a newly Christianized society. This connection to such a revered figure not only fortifies the clan's historical significance but also enriches their cultural identity.