Clan Carmichael: A Legacy of Broken Spears, Lanarkshire Lands and Always Being Ready
Introduction
Clan Carmichael is a historic Lowland Scottish clan rooted in Lanarkshire, the Southern Uplands, the lands of Carmichael, and the wider story of Scotland’s medieval borderland families.
The clan motto is:
“Tout Jour Prest”
“Always Ready.”
The clan crest is:
A dexter hand and arm in pale, armed and holding a broken spear, proper.
This broken spear is one of the most dramatic symbols in Scottish heraldry. It commemorates the actions of Sir John de Carmichael, who fought in France during the Hundred Years’ War and is traditionally remembered for unhorsing Thomas, Duke of Clarence, brother of King Henry V of England, at the Battle of Baugé in 1421. The Carmichael crest preserves that moment of battlefield courage.
This article explores the history, people, heritage, tartans, crest, motto, lands, battles and modern legacy of Clan Carmichael.
Chapter I: Origins of Clan Carmichael
The name Carmichael is territorial in origin. It comes from the lands of Carmichael in Lanarkshire, near the northern edge of the Southern Uplands.
The name is often interpreted from Brittonic and Christian elements, with caer meaning a fort or fortified place, combined with Michael, referring to Saint Michael. This gives the name the sense of Michael’s fort or the fort of Saint Michael.
Clan history places the family in the old lands of Carmichael, which were connected with the powerful Douglas interest in the region. Some clan histories state that the Carmichael lands were granted to Sir James Douglas in 1321, and that Sir John de Carmichael later received a charter of these lands from William, Earl of Douglas, toward the end of the 14th century.
The clan’s identity was therefore shaped by:
-
Lanarkshire
-
The Southern Uplands
-
Douglas alliances
-
Borderland politics
-
Military service
-
Landholding and barony
By the 15th century, the Carmichaels had become a recognised territorial family. The barony of Carmichael was confirmed in the 15th century and extended across lands in the parishes of Carmichael, Pettinain and Carluke.
Chapter II: Clan Territory and Ancestral Lands
Clan Carmichael’s historic heartland lies in South Lanarkshire.
Important Carmichael territories and associations include:
-
Carmichael
-
Lanarkshire
-
Pettinain
-
Carluke
-
Meadowflat
-
Carmichael House
-
Crawford Castle
-
The Southern Uplands
-
The Scottish Borders and Marches
The principal clan seat is:
Carmichael
Clan Carmichael is deeply tied to the lands from which it takes its name. Unlike some Highland clans whose identity developed around glens, islands and mountain passes, Clan Carmichael belongs to the Lowland and borderland world of baronies, charters, castles, marches, royal service and military reputation.
Its geography matters. Lanarkshire stood between central Scotland and the Border world. Families in this region were often drawn into national politics, border defence, Douglas power, French wars, royal service and the violent tensions of the Anglo-Scottish frontier.
The land gave the clan its name.
The broken spear gave it its legend.
Chapter III: Important People of Clan Carmichael
Sir John de Carmichael of Meadowflat
The most famous early figure of Clan Carmichael is Sir John de Carmichael of Meadowflat, later associated with Carmichael.
He served in France with the Scottish army sent to help the French during the Hundred Years’ War. At the Battle of Baugé in 1421, he is traditionally credited with unhorsing Thomas, Duke of Clarence, the brother of King Henry V of England. In doing so, Carmichael broke his spear, and this act became the origin of the clan crest.
The broken spear is therefore not just decoration. It is a battlefield memory.
Catherine Carmichael
Catherine Carmichael, granddaughter of Sir John, became the mistress of King James V of Scotland and bore him a son, making that child a half-brother of Mary, Queen of Scots. Clan histories also connect her story with Crawfordjohn, where the king is said to have built a castle for their meetings.
Her story places Clan Carmichael within the intimate and political world of the Stewart monarchy.
Peter Carmichael of Balmedie
Peter Carmichael of Balmedie was involved in the killing of Cardinal David Beaton at St Andrews Castle in 1546. Afterward, he was sent to the galleys and shared imprisonment with the Protestant reformer John Knox before later escaping.
This connects the Carmichael name to the fierce religious conflicts of the Scottish Reformation.
Sir John Carmichael, Warden of the West March
Another important figure was Sir John Carmichael, chief of the clan from 1585 to 1599. He was known as an expert borderer and served as Warden of the West March, Captain of the King’s Guard, Master of the Stables, a Privy Councillor, and a favourite of James VI. He was murdered in 1599.
His life reflects the dangerous world of Border authority, royal service and political violence.
The Carmichael-Anstruther Line
The principal Carmichael family later became linked with the Anstruther family. After the death of the 6th Earl of Hyndford in 1817, the Carmichael lands passed through this line, and the family used the name Carmichael-Anstruther until the modern chief resumed the Carmichael name in 1980.
Richard Carmichael of Carmichael
Richard Carmichael of Carmichael was the 30th Chief of the Name and Arms of Carmichael and 26th Baron of the lands of Carmichael. He worked for many years to support Clan Carmichael societies worldwide. Sources differ slightly on the exact date of his death in June 2025, with one clan source recording 20 June 2025 and another source recording 30 June 2025.
His passing means the modern chiefship has recently moved into a new generation.
Chapter IV: Castles, Strongholds and Historic Sites
Carmichael House
Carmichael House is one of the key historic sites associated with the clan. It represents the family’s territorial identity in Lanarkshire and the long connection between the name and the lands of Carmichael.
For a clan whose name comes directly from place, Carmichael House and the surrounding lands are central to the story.
Carmichael Estate
The modern Carmichael Estate preserves the clan’s connection to its ancestral district. The estate’s own clan material notes the Carmichael tartan and presents the clan’s heritage through its visitor centre and farm shop.
Crawford Castle
Crawford Castle is associated with Carmichael history through Catherine Carmichael and the Stewart royal connection. Clan history also records that Sir John Carmichael was captain of Crawford Castle.
Meadowflat
Meadowflat is important because of Sir John de Carmichael of Meadowflat, the hero of the broken spear tradition.
The Barony of Carmichael
The barony of Carmichael was confirmed in the 15th century and became the territorial foundation of the chiefly line.
This makes the clan’s story strongly anchored in charter, land and legal identity.
Chapter V: Battles, Wars and Clan Events
Clan Carmichael’s history includes Scottish borderland politics, service in France, Reformation violence and royal office.
The Douglas Connection
The Carmichaels rose within a landscape strongly influenced by the Douglases, one of the most powerful noble families in medieval Scotland.
Clan histories connect the Carmichael lands with Douglas lordship and suggest Sir John de Carmichael received lands from William, Earl of Douglas, in reward for support.
Battle of Baugé — 1421
The most famous military event in Carmichael history is the Battle of Baugé in 1421.
Sir John de Carmichael served with the Scottish forces fighting alongside France against England. During the battle, he is credited with unhorsing Thomas, Duke of Clarence, breaking his spear in the act. This action helped demoralise the English force and became the origin of the clan crest.
The broken spear is therefore a symbol of international Scottish service, French alliance and battlefield distinction.
The Hundred Years’ War
Clan Carmichael’s Baugé story places the family within the Auld Alliance tradition, when Scots fought alongside France against England.
This gives the clan a European dimension. Carmichael history is not only Scottish; it is also tied to France, the Hundred Years’ War and the wider politics of medieval Europe.
The Killing of Cardinal Beaton — 1546
The involvement of Peter Carmichael of Balmedie in the killing of Cardinal Beaton connects the clan to one of the most dramatic events of the Scottish Reformation.
This episode places the Carmichael name in the violent struggle between Catholic authority, Protestant reform, royal politics and foreign influence.
The Border Marches
Sir John Carmichael’s role as Warden of the West March placed the clan in the dangerous world of Border administration. The March Wardens were responsible for law, order and defence along the Anglo-Scottish frontier.
His murder in 1599 shows how dangerous this office could be.
Chapter VI: Clan Crest, Motto and Badge
Clan Crest
The Carmichael crest is:
A dexter hand and arm in pale, armed and holding a broken spear, proper.
This crest directly commemorates Sir John de Carmichael and the broken spear at the Battle of Baugé.
The symbolism is clear:
-
Battlefield courage
-
Readiness
-
Martial skill
-
Service abroad
-
Victory through decisive action
-
Memory preserved in heraldry
Few Scottish clan crests tell such a specific battlefield story.
Clan Motto
The clan motto is:
“Tout Jour Prest”
This is medieval French and means:
“Always Ready.”
The motto appears on the Clan Carmichael badge and is widely used in clan references.
It is fitting for a family whose crest shows an armoured hand grasping a broken spear. The Carmichael identity is one of preparedness, loyalty and action.
Clan Badge
A widely agreed plant badge for Clan Carmichael is not as consistently recorded as for some Highland clans.
For accuracy, the strongest Carmichael symbols are:
-
The broken spear crest
-
The motto “Tout Jour Prest”
-
The Carmichael tartan
-
The lands of Carmichael
-
The memory of Baugé
-
The Lanarkshire barony
For a Lowland clan, heraldry, land and historical action often carry the symbolic weight that plant badges carry in some Highland traditions.
Chapter VII: Clan Tartans
Clan Carmichael has an officially recognised tartan tradition.
Carmichael Tartan
The Carmichael tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans. The clan’s own estate history states that it was first recorded in the Highland Collection of 1905 by Carmichael of Archerfield, later confirmed by the chief in 1981, and officially registered with the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh.
Ancient and Modern Carmichael Tartans
Carmichael tartan is commonly offered in ancient and modern dye shades.
“Ancient” normally refers to lighter, softer dye tones, while “modern” usually refers to darker and stronger colours. ScotClans notes that the Carmichael tartan was first registered by Richard Carmichael of Carmichael, the 30th Chief, and that a sample was given to the Highland Society.
The Meaning of Carmichael Tartan Today
For modern Carmichael descendants, the tartan represents:
-
Lanarkshire heritage
-
The lands of Carmichael
-
The motto “Tout Jour Prest”
-
The broken spear crest
-
Sir John de Carmichael at Baugé
-
Scottish service in France
-
Family pride and diaspora identity
The tartan gives the clan a modern visual identity rooted in a very old territorial name.
Chapter VIII: Heritage, Identity and Clan Traditions
Clan Carmichael represents a proud Lowland Scottish identity built on land, readiness, service and memory.
Its story includes:
-
Lanarkshire roots
-
The lands and barony of Carmichael
-
Douglas connections
-
Sir John de Carmichael of Meadowflat
-
The Battle of Baugé
-
The broken spear crest
-
The motto “Tout Jour Prest”
-
Reformation conflict through Peter Carmichael
-
Border authority through Sir John Carmichael, Warden of the West March
-
Carmichael tartan
-
A worldwide clan society network
Associated names and connections include:
-
Carmichael
-
Carmicheal
-
Carmichal
-
Carmichaell
-
Carmickle
-
MacMichael
-
Michael
Some Carmichaels in Argyll are also connected in clan references with MacMichael and Highland associations, including links with Stewart of Appin, though the main territorial clan identity is Lanarkshire and Lowland.
Chapter IX: Clan Carmichael Today
Today, Clan Carmichael remains a recognised Scottish clan with a living chiefly tradition.
The modern chiefship has recently changed. Richard Carmichael of Carmichael, long recognised as the 30th Chief of the Name and Arms and 26th Baron of Carmichael, died in June 2025. Clan sources state that his son Andrew has assumed the title and responsibilities of Chief of Clan Carmichael.
Modern Clan Carmichael identity can be found through:
-
Clan Carmichael societies
-
Carmichael Estate
-
Tartan wearing
-
Family history research
-
Scottish heritage events
-
Genealogy projects
-
Interest in Lanarkshire history
-
Study of Baugé and the Auld Alliance
-
Diaspora communities around the world
The clan stands today as a symbol of readiness, courage, Lowland heritage, broken-spear honour and Scottish family pride.
Chapter X: Legacy of Clan Carmichael
The story of Clan Carmichael begins in the lands of Lanarkshire, but it reaches far beyond them.
It passes through Douglas lordship, medieval charters, the barony of Carmichael, French battlefields, royal service, Reformation violence and Border authority.
Its crest, the broken spear, preserves one of the most vivid moments in Scottish clan heraldry.
Its motto gives the clan its voice:
Tout Jour Prest — Always Ready.
That phrase captures the spirit of Clan Carmichael: prepared for service, prepared for danger, prepared to defend honour.
From Carmichael lands to Baugé, from Lanarkshire to descendants across the world, Clan Carmichael continues to carry its history forward.
Its legacy is written in tartan, broken spear, old charters, battlefield memory, family records 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 Carmichael is one chapter in that greater story — a story of Lanarkshire roots, broken spears, French battlefields, tartans, borderland courage and the timeless call to be always ready.
Discover more Scottish history, clan stories, castle features and heritage content at:
www.tartantimemachine.com