Clan Skene/De Skene, Forbes and Douglas Ancestry

Sources:

Note: Some research needs to be verified. The patrilineal De Skene lineage (including their wives) is verified on pages 1-4 of Clan Skeen by A.T. (Tom) Skeen. The Forbes ancestry is also verified including back to the Douglas and Scottish Royalty. The parentage of Egidia "Gillie" (Keith) Forbes and the ancestry thereof are unverified, though she was of the Keith clan.

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Clan Skene


Clan Robertson Shield
(parent of Clan Skene
according to legend)

Skene is of Aberdeenshire and of Highland origin, "a current tradition being that they are descendants of the Clan Donch´, or Robertsons, of Athol" (p. 1, Clan Skeen by A.T. "Tom" Skeen)

"The name of Skene, Skean, Skeen, Skeyne, and there are other possible spellings, is an ancient one in Scotland. According to an old tradition the first to bear the name was the younger, or second son of Robertson of Struan whose claim to fame was an incident in which he saved the life of King Malcom I of Scotland.

The story goes that, as a wild wolf was about to attack King Malcom, the son of Struan moved in and struck the wolf with his dagger, almost severing the head from the body with his dagger or dirk. The Scot word for dagger is also skene. For this act of valor he was awarded some land in Aberdeenshire, later to be called the lands of Skene, so that we can assume that the family had been of the landed gentry from early times.

The family arms of Skene were formed from this incident. The escutcheon bears three daggers, or skenes, and three wolf heads above the daggers" (pp. 18-19, Clan Skeen by A.T. "Tom" Skeen).

For more information:


Source: Clan Skeen by A.T. "Tom" Skeen


Skene crest and shield below:

"The shield portrays the three sgians (daggers) erect and each piercing a wolf's head. The crest is described as out of a cloud, a dexter (right arm), from shoulder in hand a garland which symbolizes 'Given freely by God.' The motto is 'Virtutis Regia Merces,' which translates into 'virtue the Reward of Bravery.'

The symbolism within the Coat of Arms is as follows:

  • Wolf head ............... Symbol of the Warrior
  • Sgian (dagger) .......... Military readiness
  • Dexter (right arm) ...... Industry
  • Laurel garland .......... Triumph
  • Red ..................... Magnanimity
  • Silver .................. Sincerity
  • Gold .................... Generosity"
(p. iv, Clan Skeen by A.T. "Tom" Skeen).


← Ancient Dirk or Skein - symbol from the time when the Skene Barony was established in 1317 (Source: Memorials of Family of Skene of Skene, from the family papers, with other illustrative documents by William Forbes Skene)

sgian-dubh →
(SKI-AN-DOO)  

DNA: Mytrueancestry.com compares DNA with ancient samples via Y-DNA (paternal) subclades and I match Clan Donnachaidh (Clan Robertson/Clan Duncan), the parent clan of Clan Skene according to legend.

"A palace the reward of bravery"

Source: https://www.scotclans.com/scottish-clans/clan-skene/

"Tradition tells us that the name Skene dates back to the seventh century. From all reliable counts the family named Skene was a sept of an early clan called Dannacihaidh, or Doncga who later became Duncan and in even later times adopted the name Robertson. Historian, W. F. Skene, Esq., F.S.A., &c. furnishes several corroborative proofs of this. Skene seems to have long existed as a territorial appellation; hence the prefix de, applicable to place and le being always personal. John le Skene signed the Ragman's Roll, a bond of submission to King Edward I of England, in 1296. He was probably the son of Duncan of the Isles. Duncan's son, Patrick, signed the document in the same year. His grandson Robert got a charter of the land of Skene and a Baronage from King Robert the Bruce in 1317. The Baronage continued until 1824, when George Skene the 21st Baron of Skene died without issue."
Source: Clan Skene Website (no longer in existence, but archived version available).

Notable Dates in Scottish History

sgien - dirk or dagger

"The first documented member of the family was John de Skene in 1290, who later swore fealty to Edward I in 1297" (p. 19, Clan Skeen by A.T. "Tom" Skeen)
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Robert De Skene (b. ca. 1257, Scotland, chartered First Baron of Skene - Laird I of Skene - by King Robert the Bruce in 1317 according to Clan Skeen by A.T. "Tom" Skeen, p. 3
and
Marion Mercer (b. ca. 1261, Scotland), the daughter of a Baron of Aldie and Meiklure
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Gillian (Gilian, Giliane) De Skene (de Skene)
(Laird II of Skene)
b. ca. 1289
Scotland

Not much is known of him, "but his name Gilian, a servant of St. John, suggests a descent from the John de Skene who bore the head of St. John the Baptist on his seal" (Memorials..., p. 15)

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Adam De Skene
(Laird III of Skene)
b. ca. 1321
Scotland

"He is mentioned ... as grandson of Robert de Skene, and ancestor of the subsequent lairds of Skene" (Memorials..., p. 15)

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Adam II
(Laird IV of Skene)
De Skene
b. ca. 1353
Scotland
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___ Keith, Earl Marishal of Scotland
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Radulphus (Ruffus) de Kinnaird
d. before 1214
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?? de Kinnaird
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Richard de Kinnaird
d. before 1249
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Radulphus de Kinnaird
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Sir Richard de Kinnaird
d. 1306
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Ralph de Kinnaird
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Richard de Kinnaird
ca. 1368
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Sir Richard Kinnaird
d. before 1399
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Clan

Forbes

John De Forbes
b. ca. 1176
Forbes, Aberdeen, Scotland
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Ferglx De Forbes
b. ca. 1226
Forbes, Aberdeen, Scotland
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Alexander De Forbes
b. ca. 1256
Forbes, Aberdeen, Scotland
d. after 1304
Murray, Scotland
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Alexander De Forbes
b. ca. 1286
Forbes, Aberdeen, Scotland
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Forbes



Crest: A stag's head attired with ten tines Proper.
Motto: Grace, me guide
War Cry: "Lonach" (A mountain in Strath Don)
District: Aberdeenshire
Plant badge: Broom
Pipe music: March "Cath Ghlinn Eurainn" ("The Battle of Glen Eurann").
Gaelic name: Foirbeis

The name Forbes is from the Gaelic term "forb-ais" means "at the land". Originally the name was pronounced as two syllables sounding like "For bays" but that is largely lost. Established in Aberdeenshire on the banks of the river Don, they had been there long before being raised to a barony in 1271 by Alexander III. Duncan de Forboys paid homage in 1296 to John Balliol and John Forbes signed the "Ragman Roll" in 1296. The main lines of Forbes were established in the 14th century. Sir John de Forbes of the Black Lip, justiciary in Aberdeenshire, had four sons - William the first of the Pitsligo line, John the ancestor of the Forbes of Polquhoun, Alistair of Brux who established the lines of Skellatar and Inverernan. Sir John's eldest son fought beside the Earl of Mar at the Battle of Harlaw on July 24, 1411, against Donald, Lord of the Isles and became Lord Forbes around 1445. Forbes eventually became the premier lordship of Scotland. James, 2nd Lord Forbes had three sons, the two younger offspring establishing the Forbes of Corsindale and Monymusk and of Craigievar. The Forbes expanded their territory, at one time covering half of the earldom of Mar. However, over the years, there were feuds with the powerful Gordon clan and the Leslies, culminating in two battles and several massacres. Two Acts of the Scottish Parliament were required to force the factions to lay down their arms. King James VI confirmed the Forbes in their lands in 1582 but the cost of the struggles with the Gordons had created debts and much of the Forbes land had to be sold. ...
Source: Clan Forbes on WikiTree.

Douglas


image source

image source

Crest: On a chapeau, a green salamander surrounded by fire
Motto: Jamais arrière - "Never behind." Also "Tender and true" and "Forwards."
Slogan: "A Douglas! A Douglas!"
(WikiPedia: Clan Douglas)

          


Ancestry through parents Robert II and Elizabeth More (Mure), King and Queen of Scotland
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Ancestry through parents Sir John Drummond, 11th Thane of Lennox and Mary Montifex, Heiress of Stobhall
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Alexander De Synton
b. 1255, Synton, Selkirkshire, Scotland
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Edward De Keith,
Marischal of Scotland
b. ca. 1280, Dunottar, Kincardineshire, Scotland
d. 17 October 1346, Battle of Neville's Cross, England
Isabella De Synton,
Heiress of Sinton
b. ca. 1285, Sinton, Selkirkshire, Scotland
m. before July 1305, Sinton, Selkirkshire, Scotland
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               Ancestry through parents David and Janet (Keith) Hamilton
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   Ancestry through parents James and Agnes (Dunbar) Douglas
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Adam III De Skene
(Laird V of Skene)
b. ca. 1377, Scotland
d. 24 July 1411, Battle of Harlaw, Scotland		 m. before 1392 Janet Keith
b. ca. 1381, Marischal, Scotland
d. 1426		               Alan Kinnaird
(d. before 1436)

m. before 1420

Mary Murray
(presumed mother of Thomas Kinnaird)		                                       John De Forbes
b. 1302, Forbes, Aberdeen, Scotland
d. 		m. ca. 1331 Margaret Forbes
b. ca. 1311, Forbes, Aberdeen, Scotland
d. 		          William, Earl of Douglas
b. ca. 1323, Douglas, Lanarkshire, Scotland
d. May 1384		 not married Margaret Stewart,
Countess of Angus
b. 1325, Douglas, Lanarkshire, Scotland
d. 		  Robert III (John Stewart),
KING OF SCOTLAND
b. ca. 1337, Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland
d. 4 April 1406, Rothsay Castle, Dundonald, Ayrshire, Scotland
Burial: Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland		 m. "The marriage of John Earl of Carrick, and Annabella, daughter of Sir John Drummond of Stobhall, took place at least 20 years before he [John Stewart, Earl of Carrick] ascended the throne of Scotland, by the title of Robert III" (Drummond, p. 272).

"Annabella Drummond, Queen of Scotland" - Medievalists.net by Susan Abernethy
Annabella Drummond
b. 1350, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
d. October 1401, Scone, Perthshire, Scotland
(Source: Geni.com)		   William De Keith,
knight
b. ca. 1315, Dunottar, Kincardineshire, Scotland
d. 2 May 1407 or 1410		 m. ca. 1437 Margaret Fraser
b. ca. 1321, Touch, Fraser, Sterling, Scotland
d. before 1410		           John Hamilton,
knight
b. ca. 1371, Cadzow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
d. 14 September 1402, Battle of Homildon Hill, Nuthumberland, England		 m. November 1388 Jacoba (Janet) Douglas
b. ca. 1379, Dalkeith, Mid Lothian, Scotland
d. 		       
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James was the son of Adam who died at Harlaw in 1411 (Memorials..., p. 15). James De Skene
(Laird VI of Skene)
b. ca. 1392 Scotland
d. 1461 Scotland		 m. before 1413 Ms. (Elizabeth?) Fraser of Corntoun
b. ca. 1396, Corntown, Scotland
d. 		        Thomas Kinnaird
(d. before 5 July 1440)

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Egidia De Maravia
(Egidia Murray, heiress of Culbin)
b. 1395, Kinarde, Scotland
d. 		                        Forbes Coat of Arms John "With The Black Lip" Forbes
b. 1332, Forbes, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
d. before 20 November 1446, Scotland		 m. ca. 1375 Elizabeth (Margaret) Kennedy
b. ca. 1336, Dunure, Scotland
d. 		     
George Douglas,
Earl of Angus
b. ca. 1376, Mar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
d. after 14 September 1402 from the Bubonic Plague in Lancashire, England, as a captive from the Battle of Homildon Hill where he was wounded 5 times and captured.		 m. 24 May 1397
George Douglas was her third of four husbands.


Mary Stewart,
Princess of Scotland,
Countess of Angus
b. ca. 1380, Dunfermline, Fifeshire, Scotland
d. 1458 Scotland
Burial: Strathblane Chapel, Strathblane, Stirlingshire, Scotland		       Robert Keith,
knight
b. ca. 1363, Dunottar, Kincardine-shire, Scotland
d. before 20 July 1430		 m. ca. 1379, St. Andrews Diocese, Fifeshire, Scotland heiress of Troup
b. ca. 1363, Troup, Banffshire, Scotland
d. 		      James Hamilton
b. ca. 1393, Cadzow, Lanarkshire, Scotland
d. before May 1441		 m. before 20 October 1422 Janet Livingstone
b. ca. 1400, Callendar, Scotland
d. 		 
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    Alexander De Skene
(Laird VII of Skene)
b. ca. 1413 Scotland
d. 1470		 m. 12 May 1438 Mariot(a) Kinarde/Kinnaird
b. ca. 1417, Kinarde, Scotland
d. 		                Forbes Coat of Arms Alexander Forbes
b. ca. 1380, Forbes, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
He was a baron who fought beside the Earl of Mar at the Battle of Harlaw on July 24, 1411, against Donald, Lord of the Isles, and became Lord Forbes around 1445 (source: Clan Forbes on WikiTree).
d. 1448, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.		 m. 6 October 1423
Elizabeth (Mary) Douglas
(She later married a Hay)
b. ca. 1398, Mar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
d. 		Keith Coat of ArmsKeith Seal and Tartan William Keith
He was a lord.
b. ca. 1389, Dunottar, Kincardine, Scotland
d. 16 May 1463 or 1464		 m. 26 April 1414 Mary (or Marjory) Hamilton
b. ca. 1400, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland
d. 		   
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↓		   Though she was a Keith, the ancestries of Egidia (Keith) Forbes need verification. → |
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      Gilbert De Skene
(Laird VIII of Skene)
b. ca. 1440 Scotland
d. 1485		 m. 1481 Christina Mercer
b. in Scotland
d. 1490		 Christina Mercer, wife of Gilbert De Skene, is listed as Christian (Forbes) Mercer according to Ancestry.com, which claims she is daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Drummond) Mercer and had first been married to Duncan Forbes by whom she had son William Forbes (b. 1478) -- all prior to her marriage to Gilbert I de Skene in 1481.   Forbes Coat of Arms James Forbes

He was a baron, second Lord Forbes
(The Scots Peerage, p. 41).
b. ca. 1424, Forbes, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
d. ca. 30 September 1460 Scotland

Burke and Burke, Volume I, p. 479, and Volume II, p. 435, show the lineage from James Forbes back to Robert the Bruce through James' mother.

m. Egidia "Gillie" Keith
She was a baroness.
b. ca. 1424, Forbes, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
d. after ca. 1482		      
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↓		         JDA Family Tree (while not necessarily authoritative) indicates Agnes (Forbes) De Skene's parents were William (3rd Lord) Forbes and Christian (Lady) Gordon, William being son of the above James and Egidia (Keith) Forbes. It is known according to Clan Skeen that Agnes was a daughter of Lord Forbes. So, we have JDA Family Tree's claim along with other sources (Stirnet.com and WikiTree) indicating there may be an extra generation between James and Egidia (Keith) Forbes and Agnes (Forbes) Skene. Geni.com Master Profile for William "Gray Willie", 3rd Lord Forbes indicates he did have a sister named Agnes (who married Alexander Skene), daughter of James and Egidia (Keith) Forbes. Memorials of Family of Skene of Skene indicates Agnes (Forbes) de Skene was a daughter of Lord Forbes, probably of James and Egidia (Keith) Forbes, and that she was sister to Duncan Forbes who was guardian of her infant son (p. 23). Either way, it is conclusive that Agnes (Forbes) Skene (below) is either the daughter or granddaughter of James and Egidia (Keith) Forbes, the most reputable sources indicating daughter. |
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        Alexander De Skene
(Laird IX of Skene)
b. ca. 1465 in Skene, Aberdeen, Scotland
d. ca. 1507		 m. before 1498 (ca. 1489) Agnes Forbes
b. before 1460
d. 1515		        
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descendants through son Alexander De Skene and his wife Elizabeth (Black) De Skene		              

The patrilineal De Skene lineage (including their wives) is verified on pages 1-4 of Clan Skeen by A.T. (Tom) Skeen.


Developed in August 2016.