Clan Henderson

also Mackendrick, MacHenry, Henryson

Bodyguards of the chiefs of MacDonald of Glencoe.

Motto

Sola virtus nobilitat

— Virtue alone ennobles

What does the Henderson name mean?

Gaelic 'mac Eanruig' — son of Henry. Anglicised variously as McHenry, Henryson, and Mackendrick.

The history of Clan Henderson

Henderson is in Gaelic 'mac Eanruig', son of Henry — anglicised over time as McHenry, Henryson and Mackendrick. The clan claims descent from the Pictish prince Big Henry, son of King Nechtan, who arrived at Kinlochleven, just north of Glencoe, around 900 AD.

Renowned for size and strength, the Hendersons became the personal bodyguards of the chiefs of MacDonald of Glencoe — and suffered the consequences in 1692 at the bloody Massacre of Glencoe.

Alexander Henderson, the most prominent Presbyterian divine of his time, drafted the Solemn League and Covenant in 1643. He later became Moderator of the Church of Scotland and is buried in Greyfriars churchyard, Edinburgh.

Notable bearers of the Henderson name

Alexander Henderson, Presbyterian divine

Frequently asked

What does the surname Henderson mean?

Gaelic 'mac Eanruig' — son of Henry. Anglicised variously as McHenry, Henryson, and Mackendrick.

Where does the Henderson family come from?

Clan Henderson was historically based in the The Highlands & Islands of Scotland, in particular Lochaber.

What is the Clan Henderson motto?

The motto of Clan Henderson is "Sola virtus nobilitat", which translates as "Virtue alone ennobles".

Who are some famous Hendersons?

Notable bearers of the Henderson name include Alexander Henderson, Presbyterian divine.

Is Mackendrick the same family as Henderson?

Yes. Mackendrick, MacHenry and Henryson are historical spelling variants of the Henderson name. They share the same lineage and clan affiliation.