A Little MacCorquodale History
Author: Graham MacCorquodale | Category: MacCorquodale HistoryThe name MacCorquodale has, through the ages, been spelt several ways, however, there is no denying the fact it is derived from the Norse “Thorketill” or “Torquil”, a descriptive name meaning Cauldron of the Spirit. The name continued to evolve with the addition of Mac as the prefix thereby making it MacTorquil, The Son of Torquil, or as spelt by a scribe in 1430, Mactorquedil and further evolving to its present spellings of McCorquodale, MacCorquodale, MacCorkindale and many other variations.
One of the founding races of Scotland were the Dalriadans. This race was descended by the early Irish Kings, specifically King Colla da Crioch who was banished from Ireland in 327 A.D. along with 350 clan chiefs, settling in the Western Isles.
It was in the ninth century the name MacCorquodale (Torguil as it was known then) gained prominence. It is said that at his final battle, Alpin, the father of Kenneth MacAlpin (the first King of Scotland), was beheaded and his head carried away by the Picts who exposed it in their town. It was, however, recovered by a soldier named Torguil, and as a reward he was invested with lands on Loch Aweside (Lochawe) by Kenneth MacAlpin.
The Maccorquodale name then emerged as a Scottish Clan in the territory of Argyll where they were a family of antiquity seated at Phantillans and estates in that Shire. One of the first records was of Eugene MacCorquodale who appeared before the Sheriff of Perth in 1430 and in 1434 Ewen MacCorquodale was Lord of Phantillans. His son, Ewen, the next Chief granted some of his lands named Edderlin to Archibald the Earl of Argyll in exchange for other lands. In 1509 his successor Ewen was Chief of the Clan and by 1600 they had become associated with the outlawed Clan MacGregor.
Much of the Scottish History was lost during this period from the mid 1600’s to the 1800’s due to poor record keeping caused by the turmoil of the times. Clan societies are now trying to reconstruct Highland history. But, typical of the ancient conflict between highlander and Edinburgh, many ancient highland clans have still not officially been recognized by the Lord Lyon of Scotland.
It is in this time period we believe my arm of the Clan MacCorquodale began in North Uist.
In the 1660’s a warrior by the name of John MacKay was forced to leave the Island of Ilay in Argyll by one of the predominant clans, the Campbells. John MacKay’s armour bearer was one Donald MacCorquodale. John MacKay and Donald moved to North Uist after leaving Islay. John Mackay then moved on to Skye but Donald remained behind in North Uist. This Donald MacCorquodale is said to be the origin of all families and all descending branches bearing the name MacCorquodale from North Uist. My particular branch emigrated to Tiree, a small Island off coast of western Scotland. John MacCorquodale was born in North Uist sometime in the early 1800’s and married Mary MacDonald in 1858. One of their children (we are not certain how many children they had) was Donald MacCorquodale, born March 13, 1861 in Carinish, North Uist and married Mary Cameron. From this union came nine children.
- John.. the oldest, born on Tiree joined the Merchant Marines. In the first year of WWII, John was one hour out of Halifax when his ship was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. He was the only one in his lifeboat who had not died of exposure in the boat, he did however pass away in Halifax of hypothernia the following day. John has one daughter, Chrissie who lives on Skye.
- Rhoderick..born on Tiree started out as a deck hand with the Manchester Shipping Line. Over the years he moved from deck hand to Captain. During WWII with Manchester Shipping Lines he survived being torpedoed on four separate occassions to outlast the war. Following the war he lived the rest of his life in Manchester, England.
- Donald.. born on Tiree, lived in glasgow as a Shipwright. He died in his mid 50’s in Glasgow from health complications due to alcoholism.
- Gillespie.. born on Tiree, lived his whole life on Tiree operating the family Croft.
- Margaret.. born on Tiree, Margaret is still alive and living in the Port of Ness near the Butt of Lewis.
- Ann.. born on Tiree, Ann trained as a nurse and moved to London were she married a fellow by the name of Chapman. She died in London.
- Mary..born on Tiree, Mary lived on Tiree all her life and married a Kennedy. Her croft house was a traditional croft house with dirt floors adjacent to the rocky shoreline.
- Effie.. born on Tiree, lived and died on Tiree.
Archibald Cameron MacCorquodale.. born on Tiree December 25, 1898, to Donald and Mary, died Port Appin February 8, 1968. Archibald married Jeannie Bell Irvine on June 18, 1920 later moving to Glasgow were he became a police officer. Archibald and Jeannie had three sons before her death in 1927.
- James Irvine … born Glasgow Scotland, October 23, 1920. Served with the royal Air Force during WWII. While stationed at a training base in Swift Current, Saskatchewan , Canada he met and married Olga Jaster. James worked as a driver for Coca Cola for a few years until starting work as a laborer, later he worked with the Provincial Government as a gas inspector, natural gas furnaces were being introduced at that time. James left the government and became a pipe fitter, working on several projects across Canada, his last job as a pipe fitter was at the Ontario Hydro Nuclear Power Plant. After retirement he worked for his son (me) for a few years until the business was sold. Throughout his life James never forgot his roots and was always actively involved with his native land. Taking it upon himself to learn one of the most difficult languages known, Gaelic. He was an active Mason up till the time of his death in 1996. He had four children, Carol Ann, Graham Irvine (me), Donna May and Cameron Craig.
- Donald …born in Glasgow, I have very little information as of yet.
- Archibald.. born in Glasgow, April 7,1927, died in Brampton, Ontario, married Peggy Smith. Archibald was also a police officer in metropolitan Toronto until his retirement, he has two daughters, Lena and Jean.
Following Jeannie’s death in 1927, Archibald remarried to Christina Watson Cairns. Christina was born April 10, 1906 in Loanhead Scotland (a suburb of Edinburgh) From this second marriage there were five more children.
- John Cairns… born Glasgow Scotland, August 31, 1932. Married Jessie Margaret Currie Japp..born Glasgow, July 9, 1933. John and Jessie moved to Canada after their marriage and lived for many years in Regina. After a successful carrier with a local tank builder john and Jessie returned to live in Port Appin, Argyll on his mothers croft. John and Jessie have two children, Rhoderick and Sandra.
- Cameron.. Dates and names to be confirmed, residing in Canada.
- May… Dates and names to confirm, Married Gordon MacKenzie
- William.. Dates and name to be confirmed.. Residing in Port Appin, Argyll
- Christine.. born December 2, 1947, Married Robert Rowan and residing in Port Appin.
Many thanks to those who have helped me so far in my search. Many thanks to my cousin Rhod, Malcolm whom I had the fortune of finding through his niece and Ian. If you have any additional information that would be useful please don’t hesitate to write me through the Mail Room…
