Fraser of Lovat Clan

Fraser of Lovat Clan Crest: A stags head.

Fraser of Lovat Clan Motto: Je Suis Prest (I am ready).

Fraser of Lovat Clan History:
The Frasers of Lovat originate from Simon, a younger brother of Sir Alexander Fraser, Chamberlain to Robert I, who acquired the lands around Beauly in Inverness-shire through marriage.  Chiefs of the Frasers of Lovat are traditionally known in the Gaelic language as 'MacShimi', meaning 'Son of Simon.'
 
Hugh Fraser was one of the hostages for the ransom of James I, who created him Baron of Kinnell, but he is often referred to as the 1st Lord Lovat. His grandson, another Hugh, was created Lord Lovat around 1460.

Simon, 11th Lord Lovat, was known as the 'Old Fox of the '45,' dealing with both sides during the conflict. He rallied the Frasers to the cause of Prince Charles Edward Stuart who appointed him General of the Highlands and created him Duke of Fraser. He was arrested in 1746 and beheaded on Tower hill in London.  His honours and estates were forfeited, but his eldest son obtained a full pardon, subsequently becoming a British General. When George II took steps to encourage the raising of  Highland Regiments, it was the 12th Lord Lovat who raised first the 78th Fraser Highlanders, and later the 71st Fraser Highlanders. His brother later raised the Fraser Fencibles to fight in the Napoleonic Wars. 

Leaving no direct heir, the title passed to a descendant of the 4th Lord Lovat. The 14th Lord Lovat raised the Lovat Scouts to fight in the Boer War.  The 15th Lord Lovat distinguished himself on the beaches of Normandy leading the Lovat Scouts during the Second World War. 

James Fraser of Brea (1639-99) was born in Kirkmichael, son of 7th Lord Lovat, and imprisoned on the Bass Rock for supporting the Covenanters.

Places of Interest:
Beaufort Castle, Beauly, Inverness-shire. Nineteenth century mansion and until 1994 the seat of the Frasers of Lovat.

Surname distribution within Scotland: The highest concentrations of the Fraser name are in Highland (includes the historic counties of Caithness, Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Ross and Cromarty and Sutherland), Shetland (Zetland), Aberdeenshire (includes all of the historic counties of Aberdeenshire, Kincardineshire and part of Banffshire) and Moray (including most of historic Banffshire).

Associated family names (Septs): Bisset, Bissett, Bysset, Brewster, Grewar, Gruar, MacGruer, MacKim, MacKimmie, MacSim, MacTavish, Olifer, Oliver, Sim, Sime, Simon, Simonds, Simpson, Sims, Simson, Sym, Syme, Symon, Symons, Symson, Twaddell, Twaddle, Tweedale, Tweeddale, Tweedie.

Clan Fraser of Lovat membership certificates.