Clan Buchan: A Legacy of Sunflowers, Auchmacoy and North-East Scottish Honour
Introduction
Clan Buchan is a historic Lowland Scottish clan rooted in the north-east of Scotland, especially the old district of Buchan in Aberdeenshire and Banffshire.
The name Buchan comes from the district itself — a region of fertile farmland, ancient churches, coastal settlements, castles, Pictish memory and north-east Scottish identity. Clan Buchan should not be confused with Clan Buchanan, which is a separate clan despite the similar spelling. Clan reference material identifies Buchan as a Lowland Scottish clan from Aberdeenshire, with its chief seated at Auchmacoy House.
The clan motto is:
“Non Inferiora Secutus”
“Following not the inferior.”
The clan crest is commonly described as:
A sun shining upon a sunflower full blown, proper.
This article explores the history, people, heritage, tartans, crest, motto, lands, family branches and modern legacy of Clan Buchan.
Chapter I: Origins of Clan Buchan
The origins of Clan Buchan are territorial. The family takes its name from the historic district of Buchan, in the north-east of Scotland.
The district of Buchan lies in the old counties of Aberdeenshire and Banffshire. It is one of the great historic regions of north-east Scotland, known for its agricultural wealth, fishing communities, prehistoric sites, Pictish stones, castles and coastal heritage.
The Gaelic form of the name is often given as:
Buchanach
meaning someone from Buchan.
Clan Buchan is sometimes discussed in connection with Clan Comyn, because of the historic Comyn Earls of Buchan, who were once powerful lords in the region. However, Clan Buchan developed its own chiefly line, centred on Buchan of Auchmacoy.
The name therefore carries two layers of meaning:
First, it is a regional name, rooted in the district of Buchan.
Second, it is a clan name, connected with the Buchans of Auchmacoy and the wider north-east Scottish tradition.
Chapter II: Clan Territory and Ancestral Lands
Clan Buchan’s historic heartland lies in:
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Aberdeenshire
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Banffshire
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The district of Buchan
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Ellon
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Auchmacoy
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The north-east Lowlands
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The old earldom of Buchan
The clan’s principal seat is:
Auchmacoy House
The Buchan chief retains the ancient barony of Auchmacoy, near Ellon in Aberdeenshire. ScotsConnection notes that Andrew Buchan of Auchmakwy was named on an assize in 1446 to settle a boundary dispute, and that he received a charter for the lands of Auchmacoy from James IV in 1503.
This gives Clan Buchan a strong territorial identity. The clan belongs not to the western Highland world of islands and galleys, but to the north-east Lowland world of estates, charters, agriculture, baronies, coastal routes and local authority.
The landscape of Buchan itself helped shape the clan’s identity: broad fields, old churches, fishing harbours, stone circles, Pictish remains and a strong sense of north-east Scottish independence.
Chapter III: Important People of Clan Buchan
Andrew Buchan of Auchmacoy
One of the key figures in Clan Buchan history is Andrew Buchan of Auchmacoy.
He appears in records in 1446, when he was named on an assize appointed to settle a boundary dispute. In 1503, he received a charter for the lands of Auchmacoy from King James IV of Scotland.
This makes Andrew Buchan central to the clan’s territorial history. His connection to Auchmacoy helped establish the family’s long association with the lands that remain important to the clan today.
The Buchans of Auchmacoy
The Buchans of Auchmacoy became the chiefly line of the clan. Their importance lies in continuity: they preserved the name, arms, motto, barony and territorial identity of Clan Buchan.
The seat at Auchmacoy became the symbolic centre of the clan.
James Buchan of Auchmacoy
Clan history sources note that James Buchan, 14th of Auchmacoy, was recognised as chief of the name by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in April 1830. This recognition helped formalise the chiefly position of Buchan of Auchmacoy in Scotland’s heraldic system.
David Buchan of Auchmacoy
David Buchan of Auchmacoy was a later chief of the clan. After his death in 2014, the chiefship passed to his son, Charles Buchan of Auchmacoy.
Charles Buchan of Auchmacoy
Modern clan references identify the current chief as:
The Much Hon. Charles Buchan of Auchmacoy, Baron of Auchmacoy, Chief of Clan Buchan.
This gives Clan Buchan a living chiefly tradition and makes it distinct from armigerous clans that currently have no recognised chief.
Chapter IV: Castles, Strongholds and Historic Sites
Auchmacoy House
Auchmacoy House, near Ellon in Aberdeenshire, is the principal seat of Clan Buchan.
It stands at the heart of the clan’s identity, representing the long connection between the Buchans of Auchmacoy and the north-east of Scotland. Clan references identify Auchmacoy House as the seat of the chief.
Ellon
Ellon is important because of its proximity to Auchmacoy and its place within the wider Buchan district. It gives the clan a strong geographical anchor in north-east Scotland.
The District of Buchan
The historic district of Buchan is one of Scotland’s most distinctive regions. It includes coastal communities, ancient church sites, tower houses, farming lands and fishing settlements.
For Clan Buchan, the district is more than a background. It is the origin of the name itself.
The Old Earldom of Buchan
The Earldom of Buchan was one of the most powerful medieval lordships in Scotland. Although the chiefly Buchans of Auchmacoy should not be confused directly with every holder of the old earldom, the district’s aristocratic and political history forms part of the wider environment in which the Buchan name developed.
North-East Scotland
The north-east of Scotland has its own strong identity: Doric speech, coastal trade, fishing, farming, old lairdly houses and deep medieval roots. Clan Buchan belongs strongly to that world.
Chapter V: Battles, Wars and Clan Events
Clan Buchan is not chiefly remembered as a large Highland war clan. Its history is better understood through territorial identity, charters, chiefly continuity, regional power and north-east Scottish heritage.
The Rise of the Buchans of Auchmacoy
The establishment of the Buchans at Auchmacoy was one of the defining events in the clan’s history.
The 1503 charter from James IV gave the family a clear territorial foundation and helped anchor the clan in Aberdeenshire.
The Influence of the Buchan District
The wider district of Buchan was historically important long before the formal clan identity developed. The region had powerful medieval families, religious houses, fishing settlements and agricultural wealth.
The clan’s story is therefore linked to the larger story of north-east Scotland.
Recognition by the Lord Lyon — 1830
The recognition of James Buchan, 14th of Auchmacoy, as chief of the name in 1830 was a major moment in the modern heraldic history of the clan.
This placed the chiefly line within Scotland’s formal system of arms, names and clan recognition.
Modern Chiefship
After the death of David Buchan of Auchmacoy in 2014, the title passed to Charles Buchan of Auchmacoy, preserving the continuity of the chiefly line into the modern era.
Chapter VI: Clan Crest, Motto and Badge
Clan Crest
The crest of Clan Buchan is commonly described as:
A sun shining upon a sunflower full blown, proper.
This is one of the most distinctive crests in Scottish clan heraldry. Instead of a weapon, beast or martial symbol, Clan Buchan carries an image of light, growth and natural direction.
The sunflower turns toward the sun. It suggests:
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Aspiration
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Constancy
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Loyalty
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Honour
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Growth
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A refusal to follow lesser things
Clan references describe the crest as a sun shining upon a sunflower full blown, proper.
Clan Motto
The clan motto is:
“Non Inferiora Secutus”
This is usually translated as:
“Following not the inferior.”
Some clan references render it as “Not having followed mean pursuits.”
The meaning is powerful. It suggests that Clan Buchan follows what is higher, nobler and more worthy. It fits beautifully with the sunflower crest: the flower turns upward toward the sun rather than downward toward lesser things.
Clan Badge
The clan badge is commonly associated with:
Sunflower
Tartan Shop identifies the badge as Sunflower, matching the crest symbolism.
This makes Clan Buchan’s symbolism especially unified:
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Crest: sun and sunflower
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Badge: sunflower
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Motto: follow not the inferior
Together, they form a clear message of aspiration, honour and loyalty to higher principles.
Chapter VII: Clan Tartans
Clan Buchan has an officially recorded tartan.
Buchan Tartan
The Buchan tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 413.
This tartan gives modern Buchan descendants a recognised visual symbol of clan identity.
Ancient Buchan Tartan
Clan reference material also refers to an Ancient Buchan tartan.
Ancient tartan shades are usually softer and lighter than modern tartan colours, giving the pattern a more weathered or traditional appearance.
Connection with Cumming / Comyn
Some tartan references state that the Buchan tartan is derived from Cumming, reflecting historic relationships between the Buchan district and the Comyn world. Tartan Shop notes that the family tartan is derived from Cumming, relatives of Buchan.
This is fitting, because the old Comyn Earls of Buchan were once powerful in the north-east.
The Meaning of the Buchan Tartan Today
For modern Buchan descendants, the tartan represents:
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Aberdeenshire heritage
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The district of Buchan
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Auchmacoy House
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The sunflower crest
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The motto “Non Inferiora Secutus”
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North-east Scottish identity
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Family pride and diaspora connection
The tartan turns a regional and family history into a visible, wearable symbol.
Chapter VIII: Heritage, Identity and Clan Traditions
Clan Buchan represents a proud north-east Scottish identity.
Its story includes:
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A territorial name from the district of Buchan
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Aberdeenshire roots
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The barony of Auchmacoy
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Auchmacoy House
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The sunflower crest
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The motto “Non Inferiora Secutus”
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Sunflower as badge
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Buchan tartan
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A recognised modern chief
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Links to the wider Comyn and Buchan regional world
Associated names and spellings include:
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Buchan
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Bichan
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Bichen
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Buchanach
Some sources list additional surnames historically linked to the Buchan region, including names such as Baskin, Boyne, Buckie, Chrystal, Cruden, Ogston, Runcie, Tarves, West and others, though these should be treated as regional associations rather than automatic proof of descent from the chiefly line.
Clan Buchan is a reminder that not all Scottish clan identity is Highland. The Lowlands and north-east produced their own clans, baronies, chiefs, tartans and heraldic traditions.
Chapter IX: Clan Buchan Today
Today, Clan Buchan remains a recognised Scottish clan with a living chief.
Modern references identify the chief as:
The Much Hon. Charles Buchan of Auchmacoy, Baron of Auchmacoy, Chief of Clan Buchan.
The clan seat is:
Auchmacoy House
Modern Clan Buchan identity can be found through:
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Family history research
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Tartan wearing
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Scottish heritage events
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Genealogy projects
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Interest in Aberdeenshire and Buchan
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Study of the Comyn and north-east medieval world
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Clan and surname communities
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Diaspora descendants across the world
The clan stands today as a symbol of honour, aspiration, north-east roots, family continuity and Scottish Lowland heritage.
Chapter X: Legacy of Clan Buchan
The story of Clan Buchan begins with a place: the historic district of Buchan in the north-east of Scotland.
From that landscape came a name, a family, a barony, a tartan and a recognised clan identity.
Its crest, the sun shining upon a sunflower, is one of the most beautiful symbols in Scottish heraldry.
Its motto gives the clan a noble voice:
Non Inferiora Secutus — Following not the inferior.
That phrase captures the spirit of Clan Buchan: look upward, follow what is worthy, and do not settle for lesser things.
From Auchmacoy to descendants across the world, Clan Buchan continues to carry its history forward.
Its legacy is written in tartan, heraldry, north-east soil, family records, sunflower symbolism and the pride of those who still honour the name.
Tartan Time Machine Closing Paragraph
At Tartan Time Machine, we bring Scotland’s past into the present by exploring the clans, castles, battles, kirkyards, legends and forgotten stories that shaped the nation.
Clan Buchan is one chapter in that greater story — a story of Aberdeenshire roots, Auchmacoy House, sunflower crests, tartans, noble aspiration and north-east Scottish heritage.
Discover more Scottish history, clan stories, castle features and heritage content at:
www.tartantimemachine.com