Clan MacDougall

also MacDougal, MacDugald

Heirs of Somerled, lords of Lorn.

Motto

Buaidh no bas

— To conquer or die

What does the MacDougall name mean?

Son of Dougal — from the eldest son of Somerled, King of the Hebrides. Dougal inherited Argyll, Lorn and the islands of Mull, Jura, Tiree and Lismore.

The history of Clan MacDougall

Clan MacDougall descends from the eldest son of Somerled, King of the Hebrides — Dougal, who inherited his father's lands in Argyll and Lorn and the islands of Mull, Jura, Tiree and Lismore.

Through marriage the MacDougalls were tied to the Comyns. When Robert the Bruce killed the Red Comyn in his bid for the throne, a bloody feud erupted that cost the MacDougalls dearly.

In the 17th century during the Civil War the clan supported the Royalist cause and lost much of their lands; these were largely returned at the Restoration. The MacDougalls built Ardchattan Priory near Oban, where their chiefs were buried until the early 1700s.

Frequently asked

What does the surname MacDougall mean?

Son of Dougal — from the eldest son of Somerled, King of the Hebrides. Dougal inherited Argyll, Lorn and the islands of Mull, Jura, Tiree and Lismore.

Where does the MacDougall family come from?

Clan MacDougall was historically based in the Argyll & the West Coast of Scotland, in particular Lorn & the Inner Isles.

What is the Clan MacDougall motto?

The motto of Clan MacDougall is "Buaidh no bas", which translates as "To conquer or die".

Is MacDougal the same family as MacDougall?

Yes. MacDougal and MacDugald are historical spelling variants of the MacDougall name. They share the same lineage and clan affiliation.