Chiefs of the Clan MacKinnon

The Chiefs of the Clan MacKinnon, like many historical documents of Scottish Clan history, contains uncertainties, variations, and even disputes as to what the true list of the clan chiefs is.  In any case, this is a transcription of the MacKinnon chiefs as presented by the family of the 38th chief Alasdair Neil Hood MacKinnon.

Chief	Date	Chief	Notes (Estimated dates are shown as strikethrough)
I	821	Alpin	68th Fabulous, 28th authentic, King of Scotland, slain in Galloway, a.d. 841 by Brudus, King of the Picts, from whom he had wrested the scepter.
II	837	Prince Gregor	Third son of King Alpin. He never succeeded to the throne.
III	900	Doungallus	His eldest son; he married Spontana, daughter of a King of Ireland.
IV	930	FINDANUS	Second son of Doungallus, was seized of the estate of the Tombermory in the Isle of Mull and Findanus Castle (Dunakin) in the Isle of Skye, known by the name of MacKinnon Castle in the present day; this castle was the residence of the Lairds of MacKinnon till the 14th century, when Strathardill, also in Skye, became their seat. Findanus and his bride, the Norse princess nicknamed Saucy Mary, ran a heavy chain from Skye to Lochalsh and levied a toll on all shipping passing up and down. It is from him that the MacKinnon chiefs obtained their Gaelic Patronymic.
V	976	MacFindanus MacAlpin	Son of Findanus, called MacFingon MacAlpin, acquired further property in the Western Isles and in the shires of Perth and Ross. For some period after this the descendants of Alpin frequently assumed the patronymic of MacAlpin in addition to their other appellations.
VI	1020	Donald MacFingon MacAlpin
VII	1033	Cormac MacFingon MacAlpin
VIII	1066	Lachlan
IX	1096	Lachlan
X	1126	Kenneth
XI	1156	Donald
XII	1186	Lachlan
XIII	1216	Eowin or John
XIV	1246	Alpin
XV	1276	Lachlan
XVI	1306	Donald
XVII	1342	Eobhan or Ewen	After the death of John, Lord of the Isles, circa 1386, MacKinnon took part in the rebellion against the heir to the Lordship, and was hanged for his trouble. “And the rebellion in which the MacKinnon chief and the MacKinnon Abbot of Iona participated occurred shortly thereafter. The MacKinnon chief was hanged and the abbot imprisoned on Iona for life.” – Regan Walker
XVIII	1350	Lachlan	Called Sagartach, or Fogarach-Supposed to be the same who was concealed in MacKinnon’s Cave in Mull when pursued by the MacLeans.
XIX	1409	Lachlan na Thiomlaidh	“vir nobilis.” The Barterer; so called for having exchanged more valuable lands in Mull for the Isle of Scalpa, with MacLean of Duart.Witnessed MacLean Charter 1409.
XX	1439	Nial Buidh
XXI	1469	Lachlan Bhan
XXII	1513 (1517)	Nial Bhan	MacLean of Dowart petitioned the Regent for free remission for all of their offences, which was granted on 12th March 1517
XXIII	1545	Ewen Ruadh nan Cath	A celebrated warrior, who fought many battles against the MacLeans, aided by MacDonalds, in defence of his lands in Mull. Charged with rebellion by the Acts dated 1531 and 1545. Late in life he lived on good terms with the MacLeans. Carta Eugenii MacFigone 1542.
XXIV	1557	Lachlan Dubh or Fynnoun	Took the part of the MacLeans against the MacDonalds
XXV	1590	Lachlan Og.
XXVI	1601	Sir Lachlan	d. 1634. 1606 Charter with Finlay MacNab of Bowaine.
XXVII	1628	Ian Balbhan	The Dummy. Died in suspicious circumstances and was buried at Castle Dunara.
XXVIII	1641	Sir Lachlan Mor	d. 1700. (His 2nd son Donald emigrated to Antigua after a disagreement with his father). 1671 Bond with MacGregor. Knight Banneret at Worcester 1651.
XXVIX	1700	John Dubh	b. 1682 d. 1756. Out in ‘15 and ‘45.
XXX	1755	Charles	d. 1796.
XXXI	1796	John	d. unmarried in 1808 (last of the direct line).
XXXII	1808	William	d. 1809 aged 77. (descendant of Donald of Antigua). He never knew he was chief.
XXXIII	1809	William Alexander	b. 1782 d. 1870, FRS, MP.
XXXIV	1870	William Alexander	b. 1812, MP.
XXXV		Frances Alexander	b. 1848. d. 1947
XXXVI	1947	Aurthur Avalon	d. 1964, Commander R.N.
XXXVII	1964	Alasdair Neil Hood	b. 1926, d. 1980?
XXXVIII	1980	Anne Gunheild	First Woman MacKinnon of MacKinnon

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BACK TO HOMEAuthor: Bryan MacKinnon http://www.mackinnon.org/