Features: Scottish Clan Early Genealogy - Clan Brodie

Motto: Unite
Historic Seat: Brodie Castle
Historic District: Moray, Nairn
Associated Surnames: Bryde
Associated Tartans:

Early Brodie Genealogy and History:
(Excerpt from "The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans", James Grant, 1906)

"This name (says Shaw, in his "History of Moray") is manifestly local, taken from the lands of Brodie. I incline to think that they were originally of the ancient Moravienses, and were one of those loyal tribes to whom Malcolm IV gave lands about the year 1160, when he transplanted the Moray rebels."

The old writings of the family were mostly carried away or destroyed when Lord Lewis Gordon, afterwards (3rd) Marquis of Huntly, burnt Brodie House in 1645. From Malcolm, Thane of Brodie, living temp. King Alexander III, descended Alexander Brodie of Brodie, styled Lord Brodie as a senator of the College of Justice, born 25th July 1637, married in 1659 Lady Mary Ker(r), daughter of William, third Earl of Lothian. He left nine daughters, but no son, and was succeeded by his cousin George Brodie, son of Joseph Brodie of Aslisk, and grandson of David Brodie of Brodie, brother of Lord Brodie. He married, in 1692, Emily, fifth daughter of his predecessor, and died in 1716. He left three sons and two daughters.

James Brodie the eldest son and heir, died young, 1720, and was succeeded by his brother, Alexander, born 17th August 1697. He was appointed Lord Lyon of Scotland 1727, and died 1754. By his wife Mary Sleigh, he had a son Alexander, his heir, and one daughter, Emilia.

Alexander Brodie of Brodie, born 29th May 1741, died in 1750, and was succeeded by his second cousin James Brodie, son of James Brodie of Spynie. This gentleman, Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Nairn, was born 31st August 1744, and married Lady Margaret Duff, youngest daughter of William first Earl of Fife. This lady was burnt to death at Brodie House, 24th April 1786, and he died 17th January 1824, leaving two sons and three daughters. Their son James was drowned in his father's lifetime, leaving by Ann, his wife, daughter of Colonel Story of Ascot, two sons and five daughters. Their eldest son, William Brodie, Esq., of Brodie, in Morayshire, Lieutenant of Nairnshire, was born 2nd July 1799, succeeded his grandfather, January 1824, married, November 27, 1838, Elizabeth, third daughter of the late Colonel Hugh Baillie, M.P. of Red Castle, and had issue: Hugh Fife Ashley, R. A., born 8th September 1840, and died 1889, leaving Ian Ashley, now of Brodie.

The other branches of the clan are Brodie of Lethen, and Brodie of Eastbourne, Sussex, and a Brodie was made a Baronet in 1834.

(End excerpt)

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