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The People Called
S Skene seems to have long existed as a territorial appellation; hence the prefix de, applicable to place, le being always personal. John le Skene, who signs Ragman's Roll in 1296 was probably the son of Duncan, whose son Patrick, signed the same document, eand his grandson Robert got a charter of the lands of Skene from Robert the Bruce. The origin of this ancient family is thus more satisfactory proved than by the admission of legends that savour of old women's tales,--the story, so often repeated, of some person rescuing one of the Scottish monarchs from a ferocious wolf, by slaying it with his sgian, dirk, or knife, is the popular traditional origin of the name, and the hero is said to have lived in the time of Malcom II, or about 1014. He would, therefore, be the first recorded in the family history. Although John le Skene and his son Patrick signed the bond of submission to King Edward I of England in 1296, on the accession of Bruce to the Scottish crown, he granted a charter, "Roberto Skene dilecto et fideli nostro, pro homagio et servito suo, omnes et singulos terras de Skene, et lacum ejusdem, per omnes rectas antiquas metas et divisas suas," etc., dated 1318. Adam de Skene went with his followers to oppose Donald of the Isles, in his alarming advance from the north, and was slain at the battle of Harlaw in 1411. He had raised money for this service by mortgage on his estates, which proved a source of great trouble to his successors. Alexander joined the army of James IV and fell with that chivalrous monarch in the disastrous battle of Flodden Field in 1513, and Alexander, his grandson, was likewise slain at the battle of Pinkey in 1547. The laird of Skene joined Huntly in his attempt to get Queen Mary out of the Earl of Moray's keeping, and lost his youngest son and several kinsmen in the consequent battle of Corrichie in 1562. Others of the family have distinguished themselves in military service, both in Scotland and aboard. In 1682, John Skene of Newtyle, left Aberdeenshire and sailed to America with his wife Helena Fullerton Skene aboard the ship The Golden Lion. John Skene, the first Free Mason to settle in America, went on to become the Deputy Governor of the colony of West Jersey and is regarded as the founder of many of the Skene/Skeen families in America. For more about John Skene visit this link. The ancient family of Skene of Skene last terminated in George Skene who was the twentv-first chief and died without issue in 1824 when the possessions, which had been much increased by intermarriage and purchase, reverted to the Earl of Fife, whose father had married Mary, a sister of George Skene. Several families of respectability are descended of the house of Skene of Skene, of whom may be mentioned are those of Cariston, Curriehill, Dyas, Dyce, Hall, and Hallyard are commonly referred as being septs of Clan Skene of Skene. The castle of Skene is believed to have been the first stone and lime building in that district of the country called Mar. It consisted of a square keep of three stories, and entrance was gained by a ladder placed against the second floor. The Armorial Bearings are gules, three sgians or daggers, palewise, in fess, argent, hilted and pommeled, or on the points of which, as many wolves' heads of the third. Crest, a dexter arm from the shoulder issuing out of a cloud, and holding forth a triumphal crown or garland of leaves, proper. Supporters, on the dexter a Highlander in his proper garb, holding in his hand a sgian, and on the sinister a Highlander in more simple habit, this target on the left arm, and his dorlach [wallet or haversack], by his side, all proper. Motto--"Virtutis Regia Merces" which translated means A Palace the Reward of Bravery. The symbolism with the Coat of Arms is as follows: Wolf head Symbol of the Warrior Sgian (dagger or dirk) Military readiness Dexter (right arm) Industry Laurel or garland Triumph Red Magnanimity Silver Sincerity Gold Generosity For further reading refer to: Memorials of the Family of Skene of Skene, From The Family Papers With Other Illustrative- Documents, edited by William Forbes Skene, D.C.L., LL.D, Her Majesty's Historiographer For Scotland. The Clan Skene Association was convened in 1984 by the late Lawrence E. Skeen of Scottsville, Virginia who also served as the first President for the Association.
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