| Clan Riddell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Motto | I hope to share [1] |
| Profile | |
| District | Lowlands |
| Plant badge | Rye |
| Chief | |
 | |
| Sir Walter John Buchanan Riddell of that Ilk, 14th Baronet [1] | |
| Chief of Clan Riddell, The Riddell of that Ilk, Baronet Riddell of Riddell | |
Clan Riddell is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands. [2]
History
Origins of the Clan
One theory for the origin of the name Riddell is that the family were from Gascony and came to Scotland via Ryedale in Yorkshire. [2] However, it is much more likely that the name is of Norman origin. [2]
In 1116, Gervase Ridale was a witness to a charter of David I of Scotland. [2] His son was Walter who received a charter for the lands of Lilliesleaf in Roxburghshire. [2] William the Lion was taken prisoner at the Battle of Alnwick in 1174 and one of Gervase's nephews was sent as a hostage. [2]
Swinburn in Northumberland was also acquired by the Riddells. [2] In 1296 Sir William Riddell of Riddell appears on the Ragman Rolls swearing fealty to Edward I of England. [2]
17th century and Civil War
In 1628 Sir John Riddell was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia. [2] His lands were then erected into a barony and regality of New Riddell. [2] His third son was William Riddell who was knighted by Charles I of England and served in the wars in the Netherlands. [2]
The Reverend Archibald Riddell, third son of the second baronet, was imprisoned because he would not renounce his Covenanter beliefs. [2] A prominent seventeenth century merchant in Edinburgh, John Riddell, claimed descend from Galfridus de Reidel. [2] John amassed great wealth from the trade across the Baltic Sea. [2] During the Scottish Civil War his son, who acquired extensive lands near Linlithgow, is said to have intrigued with the forces of Oliver Cromwell and became a close friend of General Monck. [2]
18th to 21st century
The family later acquired extensive Argyll estates of Ardnamurchan and Sunart. [2] In 1778 James Riddel, first Baronet of Ardnamurchan received his title. [2] He was also a Fellow of the Society of Arts and Sciences and superintendent general to the Society of British Fishery. [2]
Sir Rodney Riddell, fourth Baronet was a professional soldier who campaigned in New Zealand and Afghanistan during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. [2]
Clan Chief
The current chief is sir Walter John Buchanan Riddell 14th Baronet (b. 1974), son of the late Sir John Charles Buchanan Riddell who died in 2010. [3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Clan Riddell Profile". scotclans.com. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Way, George of Plean; Squire, Romilly of Rubislaw (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. Glasgow: HarperCollins (for the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs). pp. 450–451. ISBN 0-00-470547-5.
- ^ "Obituary - Sir John Riddell, Bt". The Daily Telegraph. 29 July 2010.
