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Cap Badge
Kilt pin
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Sgian Dubh
The Gaelic for Cunningham, 'cuinneag', means 'milk pail' and the Saxon part of the name, 'ham', meaning village. The name Cunningham is from the district of Cunningham in Ayrshire and hence the surname is a territorial one like many Scottish names. The origins of the clan stretch as far back as Robertus, who received the grant of the lands of Cunningham some time between 1160 and 1180 although it has been suggested that the clan could have originated from Malcolm, one of the sons of the Flemish knight, Freskin. The Cunninghams had established themselves in Kilmaurs towards the end of the 13th century. The family fought for Scotland during the War of Independence, under Robert the Bruce. Despite this the family, like many families in Scotland, appeared on the Ragman Roll of 1296, pledging their loyalty to Edward I. Bruce rewarded his followers and the Cunninghams received the lands of Lamburgton which were added to Kilmaurs through a charter in 1319. The Cunninghams spread away from their native area of Scotland, as they became part of the Plantation of Ulster. Sir James Cunningham, who married a daughter of the Earl of Glencairn, was granted five thousand acres in County Donegal. During the turbulent risings of the 17th century, the 9th Earl fought for Charles II. In 1653 he raised an army of Highlanders to support Charles II. He was loyal to the king and openly voiced his ambition to raise Scotland against Oliver Cromwell. The rising was not a success and he was forced to leave Scotland but after the Restoration he was appointed as Lord Chancellor of Scotland; he died in 1664. After the death of the 15th Earl, who died without the issue of his titles in 1796, the earldom became dormant, therefore the clan is not represented at present on the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. |
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