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Clan Barclay


The Barclay name is believed to have originated in France as "de Berchelai" later Berkeley, and arrived in the UK with the Norman conquest. Some family members settled in the east of Scotland after the marriage of Alexander to the sister of the Great Marischal of Scotland, and the name became Barclay in the fourteenth century. The Barclays held land in Kincardineshire until financial hardship forced their sale.

The Barclays became a strong force in national politics and affairs. Sir David Barclay was a chief advisor to Robert the Bruce, and was imprisoned during the Battle of Methven.

The Barclays were also known for producing a number of Quakers, beginning with Colonel David Barclay in the 17th century. His son Robert was also a Quaker, and published an acclaimed essay entitled "An Apology for the true Christian Divinity as the same is held forth and preached by the people called in scorn Quakers" in 1675. He gained favour in the royal court, despite the widespread persecution of Quakers during that period, and his lands of Urie in Kincardineshire were transformed into a free barony by King Charles II in 1679.

Some Barclays settled in the country of Livonia, now Latvia and Estonia, in the 17th century. Descended from this line was Russian Field Marshal Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly, who commanded the Russian armies against the 1812 Napoleonic invasion. He was made a prince by the Tsar and his portrait hangs in St. Petersburg.

The Barclay clan motto is "Aut augere aut mori" (Either Action or Death).

112 Clan Barclay

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The Crests

of Clan Barclay

Clan Barclay
Clan Barclay (Kincardine)
Clan Barclay
Clan Barclay
Clan Barclay
Berkeley family

65 Clan Barclay

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Spellings

of Barclay

Berkeley
Bercley
Berclay
Berkele
Barclye
Berklaw
Barckley
Barkla
Barklay
Barkley
Barcula
Barculay
Bercula
Barckly
Barclaye
Barklaw
Barclet

175 Clan Barclay

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