Brythonic Topographical Names: Carruthers comes from the Brythonic words Caer (fort of ) Ruthers. Irving comes from ‘Erin-vine/Erin-Feine which means ‘a true Westland man’, with the name of the lands taken by both the families who owned them.

Parishes of the Name: When King Malcolm Canmore (1031-1093), son of Duncan I of Scotland, introduced the parish system by the end of the 11th century, the lands of Irving in Kirtledale, became the parish of Irvine. This mirrors the lands of Carruthers, becoming a parish in its own right during same period. Both parishes however were absorbed with others to make larger parishes. Irving was merged with the parishes of Annan and Kirkpatrick-Fleming and Carruthers was merged with Middlebie and Pennersaugh, both in the early 1600s.

Links with Bruce/Brus: We all know that Carruthers became vassals under the Lords of Annandale, as did the Irvings. The Lordship of Annandale remained from its inception under the Bruce family until Roberts ascention to the Scottish Throne (1070-1304), with a break of one year when John Comyn held it (1295-1296). Carruthers gained their independence from Bruce when Thomas 1st of Mouswald in 1320 was given a Charter from King Robert, the Irvings had to wait a little longer, nearly 400 years, but eventually through their close alliance with the Johnstons, it happened.

Maxwell and Johnston Feud: This was a violent and bloody feud which lasted over 100 years, where both clan/families rallied support from their neighbours. In this instance, the Irvings and Carruthers on the norm were on opposite sides of the fence, as Holmains had always been staunch supporters of Maxwell, however it seems that in this instance, Carruthers may have fought on the side of the Johnstons in the battle of Dryffe Sands along with Irving.

Border Warfare: Both families were great supporters of their country and family, both fought and died in border wars and both rode as Reivers and again playing an integral role in their nations politics.

Battle of Kirtle (1484): Where Sir Simon Carruthers, then Warden of the West March and brother of Archibald 7th of Mouswald was killed, it is recorded that the Master of Maxwell was also killed across the Kirtle water viewed from Bonshaw Tower.

Battle of Solway Moss (1542): At this battle, Christopher Irving of Bonshaw commanded the light horse, luckily surviving the battle, sadly this was not the case for John, the son and heir of John Carruthers of Holmains and 2nd Baron who was killed at the battle. His brother George, being next in line became 6th of Holmains, 2nd Baron and 3rd named Chief of Carruthers from the Holmains line. The forays and clashes continued and there are accounts of Christopher Irving of Bonshaw leading a running battle with English forces from Durisdeer down to Nithsdale. He was eventually caught and in true borderer style renewed his former oath to the English king and was later released.

The Killing of Kirkpatrick : This is an interesting one as both Carruthers and Irving of Bonshaw claim that honour.   Our records show that in 1563 a feud broke out between the Carruthers and the Kirkpatricks of Closeburn although the reason for the feud is not mentioned. What is stated is that Roger Kirkpatrick of Closeburn was wounded and in some records died, with many of their family and retainers were killed. For this Holmains and his followers were summoned before Justace Ayre, Sir James Hamilton of Crawfordjohn, but the matter was settled amicably on the advice of Sir John Maxwell of `Terregles, March Warden at the time. We are aware that Edward Irving of Bonshaw was amongst the group.

What Clan Irving state is that during the truce between Scotland and England in 1550, many border clans returned to old family feuds. In 1554, the Kirkpatricks slew a younger son of Christopher Irving of Bonshaw. The Irvings bided their time until in 1563, when Edward Irving of Bonshaw, the new Chief, slew the chief of Kirkpatrick of Closeburn.

Whether both occurrences occurred in the same year, whether they were the same event, or whether they were two pictures of the same story, it clearly shows a strong bond existed between both families at that time.

Roll of Unruly Clans. In 1587, along with 33 clans of the Highlands and Islands, an Act of Parliament was enacted to suppress the unruly clans of the Scottish Borders. These included 17 Border ‘clannis. Four of these were from the Middle March of Scotland, while thirteen were from the West March and included both Irving and Carruthers.

Armorial Bearings: Along with other clan Chiefs, nobility and those deemed worthy to bear arms, William Irving of Bonshaw and John Carruthers of Holmains both registered the chiefly arms of their ancestors in 1672, after the Lord Lyons Act came into force.

The Bonshaw arms are blazoned Argent (Silver), three holly leaves Proper, which is interesting as the more simple in form the arms are, normally the more ancient they are and these are very simple arms as can be seen above. The Carruthers arms are of course Gules (Red) two chevrons engrailed between three fleurs de lis Or (gold).

Published

Family Records: Where Carruthers has the ‘Records of the Carruthers Family by AS Carruthers FSA Scot and RC Reid, the Irvings of Bonshaw have their ‘Book of the Irvings by Col John B. Irving of Bonshaw.

Diaspora: The border Clan of Irving of Bonshaw has, like our own family, spread to many corners of the planet and in the same vein as all other other border riding names, they are happy to be differentiated from any relations elsewhere.

There is no doubt that the Reiver heritage remains strong in Border families, and most so in the those interlinked with each other throughout our history i.e. Bells, Ivings, Murrays, Douglas and Johnstone to name but a few.

Above is a chart recognising the 17 Border ‘Clannis” mentioned in the 1587 Act for the suppression of Unruly Clans.

As tartan, linked to a name, never existed prior to the early 1800s, the chart shows when the clan/family tartan was registered. On the tartan sits the clan badge reflecting the crest of the Chiefs arms and on the belt and buckle encircling it the motto of the Chief. It also shows whether or not the clan/family is officially recognised in Scots law through the auspices of the Lord Lyon by having a recognised chief or if not they remain armigerous (without chief).

Both Carruthers and Irving of Bonshaw have their Chiefs arms recorded in the Public Register of all Arms and Bearing of Scotland and in the same vein as all others, both have had supporters granted to reflect their status as Clan Chiefs; Carruthers has two fallow bucks rampant Proper, and Irving of Bonshaw has two snow leopards rampant guardant Proper.