Sunday, June 10, 2007

Gang Warily, Drummond





That handsome shield you see at the top is the ancestral coat of arms for the family Drummond. Normally, I would not pay all that much attention to heraldry, as it is as dead a matter for most people as studying Latin, or expecting Al Gore to actually cite his sources for the outrageous claims he makes. But I have discovered a bit about my family’s beginnings, which seems strangely familiar to me.

The first known Drummond appears to be a fellow named Maurice, the commander of the vessel which saved Edgar the Atheling and his sisters from the usurper Harold. Maurice, it seems, was the son of George, and a grandson of Andrew, the king of Hungary. The passage was difficult and it seems Maurice was pursued fro a while by Harold’s men. When the passengers were brought safely to Scotland, it is said that for his gallantry in the mission, Maurice was given the name Drum-onde, which in Gaelic means a high wave, and his coat of arms features three wavy bars to symbolize the sunset waves of the North Sea. Fanciful perhaps, but interesting to me.

It is also interesting to note that Sir Malcolm de Drummond was attached firmly to the cause of Robert the Bruce, and at Bannockburn it was Malcolm who devised the way to unseat the feared English cavalry – by spreading caltrops before the horses. Explaining his plan to Robert before the battle, Drummond warned the men who would fight near him to “gang warily” – that is, to watch their step since he would have caltrops all over the place. That’s how that motto got onto the family seal.

The Drummonds made a name for themselves as stout defenders of Scotland’s freedom from England. They were also strong supporters of the Jacobites, and found themselves in many battles because of it. Reading through the family legends from ancient times, and recalling stories my father passed along from our recent years, I was struck by how often my family has been loyal to causes, well beyond the point where men more frail in their convictions would flee. I was also well aware that my family gets into scraps far more often than ordinary folk do, and well beyond the number which prudence would commend. With that in mind, it seems to me no surprise at all to find that I am no deserter from President Bush, simply because turning coats has gained fashion among Republicans, nor that my words should – often – cause a protest and controversy.

I am my father’s son. And near as I can tell, that has been our tradition for going on eight centuries, at the least.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice, found out a few things there that I didn't know. Funny that the clan was a Jacobite supporter when today our family would be very much british, although still proud to be scottish.

Glasgow born Drummond

JohnLloydScharf said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
JohnLloydScharf said...

You and the last election crushed my delusion. I thought I was the only one to vote for Bush in 2000 and 2004. That would have made my one vote overpowering.

No. There seems to be few who claim to have voted for him. Blaming the previous administration has already warn thin. Then, there is also the fact that the things they hated most about Bush, Obama is now repeating or expanding on.

So, has Obama been Bush-Whacked or is the true Obama Nation.

Anonymous said...

A Drummond would never call themselve British we are Scottish and always will be
Thomas Drummond Scotland( Glasgow )

Unknown said...

The Sir Name And All That Goes With It Are The Defining Force That We Are To Proudly Bear In Honor Of Those Who Truly Preserved Our Blood And Still Do. Drummond Is A Legacy Past, Present And Future Generations Will Write Our Name On The Pages Of History.

Anonymous said...

I guess some Drummonds are blinded by loyalty, even when it does not serve their purpose. George Bush was a curse on this nation, and his legacy will take decades to repair, if ever. He supports the rich and their right to hoard resources and oppress people, much like the British have done to the Scots, Irish, and others.
A Drummond

Anonymous said...

Drummond is the same, written the same way in every language. It represents unbendble, loyal, persistent, wise, honour...

Its every Drummond`s duty to preserve the name and its meaning.

A Drummond from across the ocean

Anonymous said...

I arrived here while researching a pocket watch that I own, with the words "Gang Warily" inscribed inside.

Janos Feher said...

Hey, greetings from a Hungarian. It's nice to see such relations between the Scots and Hungarians.

AFAIK the lineage of Drummonds are the last of our roman catholic saint kings, like István (Stephen), Imre (Emeric), Margit (both the Scottish and the hun, daughter of Béla IV), László I (Ladislaus)... They were from the bloodline of the house of Turul (or Árpád according some sources). The Turul is kind of goshhawk what I see in the Drummond crest. The flag of the Turul dinasty was 4 red stripes on silver fields, similar to yours, like your tartan, where the red and green are dominating, like in the Hungarian national flag.

It would great if we could work on actual cultural relationships too.

Anonymous said...

Badass! I dunno how this shit works but my drummond last name is described very well In this. How do I find out if this is my fate?

Anonymous said...

I arrived at this sight because of a badge I aquired at a flea market. It says on it GANG WARILY. It has a eagle standing on a crown and is circled by what looks to be a belt. Beautiful badge. Wondering where it was worna/

Anonymous said...

Good information. Thanks for posting

Bradford Drummond

Judy Drummond said...

I am a female Drummond and also very proud of my name and the people in my family. I dream of visiting Scotland someday and seeing the Drummond castle.

NeonixCaerphillyElectrical said...

I've learnt of my family surname and bits of history from them but through searching, reading & discovering the history of the clan it's beliefs and loyalty and courage to stand up for what you believe in gives character, trust & honour. You have unrooted qualities that make you who you are!

Nuno Drummond said...

To keep the fight on, when most would flee, for as long as we believe

Jack Drummond said...

May u hold your head high and never look down!Jack Edward Drummond ��⚔️��

Unknown said...

As we am i thomas s drummond jr pleased to meet you.. cousin

Anonymous said...

Good Information. Happy Tartan Day!
Brian Drummond

Notus said...

Being Drummond is not all sweetness and bliss for example: a predilection for skin cancer (in Australia), an over appreciation of whisky, a history of heart ailments (males)and a deep distrust of Englishmen.

Frank Drummond said...

Thanks for the info cousins. Just visited Stirling and areas Drummond. Understand so many things now. Proud to be of Scottish origin in more ways than one. Hope to return and learn more. Frank Osborne Drummond III

Shoopershoonchik said...
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Shoopershoonchik said...


Misguided loyalty... The politicians in this country, and perhaps everywhere, should be rounded up and then strung up. They serve the so-called elite rather than the people, and they get away with it because the so-called media is owned by the ‘elite’ as well.

Shoopershoonchik said...

I’ll drink to that.

Shoopershoonchik said...

My sister visited Scotland years ago and she said that in almost every pub they had the flag of Brazil displayed and when she finally asked why she learned that Brazil was going to play the Redcoats in soccer.

Anonymous said...

Good summary of some Drummond History. To keep to the history of Loyalty, take a look at the involvement of Thomas Drummond of Drummondernoch. 6 generations after Sir Malcom's participation at the Battle of Bannockburn, Thomas was present at the Massacre At Monzievaird Kirk. There, Clan Drummond battled with Clan Murray, who were cousins of Clan Drummond. As the church burned and some of Clan Murray escaped the burning building, Thomas recognized one of his cousins and saved him from the slaughter. This brought disfavor from others in Clan Drummond and Thomas was banished to Ireland until the Murray's of Tullibardine gained power in the Perth area from Clan Drummond. At that time Clan Murray, recognizing Thomas' compassion, invited his return from Ireland and gave him property near Crieff which was called Drummondernoch, translated to mean Drummond of Ireland.

5 generations later William Drummond, after coming to the Virginia Colony and serving his time as an indentured servant, rose to prominence and ultimately became the first governor of the colony of North Carolina. Lake Drummond in North Carolina (a fresh water lake in the middle of the Great Dismal Swamp) still bears his name. Ultimately, as his ancestors had done, William became an ardent supporter of Nathaniel Bacon. During Bacon's rebellion, which many historians refer to as the precursor to the American Revolution, William held Jamestown for Bacon. As a last resort William, with his own hand, set fire to Jamestown (including his own residence). When Governor Berkeley put down the rebellion, he got revenge on William. When William was brought before Berkeley, Berkeley said to him "I am more glad to see you, Mr. Drummond, than any man in this colony! You shall be hanged in half and hour."

The Drummond Clan has long held fealty to the causes, clans and family that they felt right.

~A son 10 generations from William Drummond.

Unknown said...

I James M Drummond Jr appreciate your input, but "Gang Warily!"

Anonymous said...

Proud Drummond and proud Republican. Being pro Trump but also a Desantis fan as well. Considering there views are basically identical. I mean Trump didn't move there because he hated Desantis. He is only berating him for the election. Soon as primary is over they will be on same side again. But no matter how things turn out next year we are all going to need to Gang Warily!