Cumming
Cumming
Cumming – Clan History, Crest & Heritage
Gaelic Name
Cuimean
Clan Motto
“Courage” – A direct, powerful expression of bravery and the unyielding spirit of one of medieval Scotland’s most formidable families.
Clan Crest Badge
A lion rampant Or, holding in his dexter paw a dagger Proper, symbolizing valor, nobility, and warrior leadership.
Plant Badge
Cumin Plant
Origins of the Clan
The Cummings, or Comyns, descend from the Norman family of Comines, near Lille in northern France, east of Toulouse. The name “Comyn” is thought to derive from this place, and the family claimed descent from Emperor Charlemagne himself.
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Robert de Comyn arrived in England with William the Conqueror in 1066 and was granted lands in Northumberland.
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His grandson, William Comyn, migrated to Scotland during the reign of King David I, receiving land in Roxburghshire and rising to become Chancellor of Scotland.
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William’s nephew, Richard Comyn, further secured the family’s influence through marriage into Scottish royal blood—tying them to Donald Bane and ultimately to King Duncan I.
Medieval Supremacy
By the 13th century, through strategic marriages and royal alliances, the Comyns had amassed enormous power. At their height, they held:
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The Earldoms of Buchan, Menteith, Atholl, and Monteith
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Castles and baronies across northern and central Scotland
Notably, Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan, and John "Black" Comyn, Earl of Badenoch, were appointed to the Council of Six Guardians of Scotland after the death of King Alexander III in 1286. These men effectively ruled Scotland in the absence of a monarch.
Succession Crisis and Feud with Bruce
The death of Queen Margaret, the Maid of Norway (1290), left Scotland without a clear heir. At least six nobles, including John Balliol, Robert Bruce (the Elder), and the Comyns, presented competing claims.
The English king, Edward I, was invited to mediate and chose John Balliol, provided he acknowledged England’s overlordship—sparking Scottish resistance.
During the Wars of Independence:
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The Comyns initially opposed English rule and were key to Scotland’s defense.
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However, alliances fractured, and the rivalry with the Bruce family intensified.
In 1306, during a fateful meeting at Greyfriars Church in Dumfries, Robert the Bruce fatally stabbed John "Red" Comyn, a pivotal act that shattered the Comyns’ dominance and cleared Bruce's path to kingship. This act led to Bruce’s excommunication and civil conflict, ultimately culminating in Comyn lands being confiscated and their power dismantled.
Aftermath and Legacy
Despite their fall from political supremacy, branches of the Cumming family survived, particularly:
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The Cummings of Altyre, who maintained influence in the Highlands.
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Other lines that settled in Alyth, Moray, and Badenoch.
The name remains widespread throughout Scotland, with variations including Cumming, Comyn, Cummins, and Cumin.
Tartan and Clan Identity
The Cumming tartan is still proudly worn by descendants and those honoring the family’s legacy. It embodies the boldness and strength that defined the clan’s role in shaping medieval Scotland.
Conclusion
Clan Cumming was once the most powerful noble family in Scotland, rivaling even the Crown. Their rise and fall form one of the most dramatic stories in Scottish history—from imperial Norman roots to political kingship contenders, and finally to enduring legends. Their motto, “Courage,” remains a fitting tribute to their bravery, ambition, and legacy.