Keith

The Keiths held the office of Great Marischal from the 12th Century. They were one of the oldest and most powerful of the Celtic families, and in the 14th century they received, through marriage, land in Caithness. This lead to the start of feuding with Clan Gunn who also held land in Caithness.

A battle was arranged to fight for the land each side agreed to have twelve horses, and the Keiths attacked the Gunns whilst at prayer, with two men on each horse. The battle was fought until both sides had suffered extreme losses, with the Gunns slightly worse off than the Keiths. Later the Gunns sought revenge and killed many of the remaining Keiths.

The Keiths received many titles, including Earl Marischal by James II in 1458, which enabled the family to become one of Scotland's most powerful and influential families for hundreds of years after. The 5th Earl founded Marischal college in Aberdeen University.

The youngest son ofn the 9th Earl Marischal was a great soldier and fought in the Jacobite Rising of 1715. He later became a General in the Russian Army, then joined the German Army and was made a Field-Marshall by Frederick the Great.

When the line ended in 1778, it was passed to Lord Falconer and divided out amongst his grand-nephews.