Clan Hay: A Legacy of Erroll, Falcon Crests and Keeping the Yoke
Introduction
Clan Hay is one of the great historic clans and noble houses of Scotland, rooted especially in Perthshire, Erroll, Aberdeenshire, Slains, Delgatie, Yester, Tweeddale, Kinnoull, and the wider Lowland and north-east world of Scottish power.
The clan motto is:
“Serva Jugum”
“Keep the yoke.”
The clan crest is:
Issuing out of a crest coronet, a falcon volant proper, armed, jessed and belted Or.
The clan plant badge is:
Mistletoe.
The clan slogan is:
“A Hay! A Hay!”
The current chief is:
Merlin Sereld Hay
24th Earl of Erroll
Lord High Constable of Scotland
Chief of Clan Hay
The official Clan Hay website states that the Hays are one of Scotland’s major clans and that their chiefs, the Earls of Erroll, have been hereditary Lords High Constable of Scotland since Sir Gilbert Hay of Erroll was rewarded with that office by Robert the Bruce after Bannockburn in 1314.
This article explores the history, people, heritage, tartans, crest, motto, castles, battles and modern legacy of Clan Hay.
Chapter I: Origins of Clan Hay
The name Hay is usually traced to the Norman-French place-name La Haye, from the Cotentin Peninsula of Normandy. The word haye means a hedge, enclosure or stockade, linked to the old Norman landscape of enclosed fields and hedgerows.
The Gaelic forms are commonly given as:
Garadh
MacGaradh
Historic spellings and forms include:
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Hay
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Haye
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de la Haye
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de Haya
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de Haia
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Hay of Erroll
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Hay of Slains
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Hay of Yester
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Hay of Kinnoull
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Hay of Tweeddale
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Hay of Delgatie
Clan Hay is generally treated as a Lowland clan and noble house, though its influence spread into the north-east and across Scotland. Its identity is shaped by Norman settlement, Scottish royal service, noble office, castle power, military loyalty and ancient hereditary duty.
The Hays became especially associated with Erroll, Slains, and the office of Lord High Constable of Scotland, one of the highest hereditary offices in the kingdom.
Chapter II: Clan Territory and Ancestral Lands
Clan Hay’s historic territories and associations include:
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Erroll
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Perthshire
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Aberdeenshire
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Slains
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Old Slains Castle
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New Slains Castle
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Delgatie Castle
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Yester
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Tweeddale
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Kinnoull
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Dupplin
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Kinfauns
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Duns Castle
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Woodbury Hall
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The north-east of Scotland
The historic seats of the chiefly line were:
Old Slains Castle
New Slains Castle
The modern seat listed for the chiefly line is:
Woodbury Hall.
The official Clan Hay website notes that the first Hay of Erroll followed the pattern of many Norman settlers by marrying into native Scottish aristocracy, gaining lands in Fife in addition to the Barony of Erroll. It also notes that Gilbert, third Chief, married Lady Idione Comyn, beginning a close connection with north-east Scotland.
This gives Clan Hay a wide territorial story: Norman origin, Perthshire and Fife establishment, Buchan and Aberdeenshire expansion, and noble influence across the Lowlands and north-east.
Chapter III: Important People of Clan Hay
William de la Haye
One of the early figures traditionally associated with the family was William de la Haye, connected with the early establishment of the Hays in Scotland.
The early Hays rose through landholding, marriage and service to Scottish kings, eventually becoming one of the major noble families of the kingdom.
Gilbert Hay of Erroll
The defining early hero of the clan was Sir Gilbert Hay of Erroll.
He fought for Robert the Bruce and was rewarded after the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 with the hereditary office of Lord High Constable of Scotland.
This office became one of the greatest honours in Scottish noble history and remains central to Clan Hay’s identity.
The Earls of Erroll
The chiefs of Clan Hay became Earls of Erroll.
This title became the principal noble dignity of the chiefly line and tied the clan to the highest ranks of Scottish aristocracy.
The Hays of Yester and Tweeddale
Another great branch of the name was the Hays of Yester, later connected with the title Marquess of Tweeddale.
This branch shows how the Hay name spread across several noble houses, not only the chiefly Erroll line.
The Hays of Kinnoull
The Hays of Kinnoull became another major branch, connected with the title Earl of Kinnoull.
This line added further political, military and aristocratic weight to the wider House of Hay.
Merlin Sereld Hay, 24th Earl of Erroll
The current chief is:
Merlin Sereld Hay
24th Earl of Erroll
Lord High Constable of Scotland
Chief of Clan Hay
The Clan Hay chief’s official welcome page identifies him as the 24th Earl of Erroll and Lord High Constable of Scotland.
Chapter IV: Castles, Strongholds and Historic Sites
Old Slains Castle
Old Slains Castle was one of the historic seats of the Earls of Erroll.
It stood on the Aberdeenshire coast and represented the Hay connection with Buchan, Erroll power and the northern territories gained through royal favour and marriage.
New Slains Castle
New Slains Castle became one of the most dramatic Hay strongholds.
Standing on cliffs above the North Sea, it is one of the great atmospheric castle ruins of Scotland. It is deeply associated with the Earls of Erroll and the north-east power of Clan Hay.
Delgatie Castle
Delgatie Castle is strongly associated with the Hays and the north-east of Scotland.
It is one of the important Hay castles and remains an excellent site for exploring the wider family’s architectural and territorial legacy.
Erroll
Erroll is the core title and identity of the chiefly line.
The Earls of Erroll became hereditary Lords High Constable of Scotland, making the name Erroll inseparable from the public and ceremonial history of the Scottish crown.
Yester
Yester was the great seat of the Hays of Yester, later Marquesses of Tweeddale.
This branch shows the deep Lowland strength of the Hay family beyond the Erroll line.
Kinnoull and Dupplin
Kinnoull and Dupplin are connected with the Hays of Kinnoull, another significant noble line within the broader Hay family.
Chapter V: Battles, Wars and Clan Events
Clan Hay’s history includes legendary foundation tales, Bannockburn loyalty, hereditary office, noble branches and political influence.
The Legend of Luncarty
One of the great origin legends of Clan Hay tells of a ploughman and his sons helping turn the tide against invading Danes at the Battle of Luncarty.
The story says they used farming tools and a yoke to block fleeing Scots and force them back into battle. This legendary tale is often connected with the clan motto “Serva Jugum”, meaning “Keep the yoke.”
Whether history or legend, it gives the clan one of Scotland’s most memorable foundation stories: ordinary men rising to extraordinary service.
Battle of Bannockburn — 1314
The most important confirmed military event in early Hay history is Bannockburn.
Sir Gilbert Hay of Erroll fought for Robert the Bruce, and after the victory was rewarded with the office of Lord High Constable of Scotland.
This connected Clan Hay permanently with Bruce’s victory and the independence of Scotland.
Hereditary Lords High Constable
The office of Lord High Constable of Scotland became hereditary in the Hay chiefs.
This was not merely ceremonial. Historically, the Constable had major responsibilities connected with royal security, public order, military command and ceremonial protection of the monarch.
The North-East Connection
Through marriage into the Comyn-linked aristocracy and later possession of north-east lands, the Hays became a major Aberdeenshire and Buchan family.
This brought them into the world of north-east politics, castle power and noble rivalry.
The Noble Branches
The rise of the Hays of Erroll, Yester, Tweeddale, Kinnoull, Delgatie and other branches made Clan Hay one of Scotland’s most important noble networks.
Chapter VI: Clan Crest, Motto and Badge
Clan Crest
The Hay crest is:
Issuing out of a crest coronet, a falcon volant proper, armed, jessed and belted Or.
In simpler terms, it shows a falcon rising from a coronet, armed and fitted with golden jesses and bells.
ScotsConnection gives the crest as a falcon from a coronet, armed, jessed and belled, with the motto Serva Jugum.
The falcon suggests:
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Nobility
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Watchfulness
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Speed
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Hunting skill
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High rank
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Controlled power
It is a fitting crest for a noble clan connected with hereditary royal office.
Clan Motto
The clan motto is:
“Serva Jugum”
This means:
“Keep the yoke.”
ScotlandShop explains that the motto recalls the early farming legend of the clan, where the yoke becomes a symbol of discipline, duty and hard service.
The motto can be read as:
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Keep your duty
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Hold the line
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Carry the burden
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Stay disciplined
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Serve faithfully
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Do not abandon the work
Clan Slogan
The clan slogan is:
“A Hay! A Hay!”
This is the rallying cry of the name, direct and unmistakable.
Clan Badge
The plant badge is:
Mistletoe
Clan summaries and tartan sources list Mistletoe as the plant badge of Clan Hay.
Mistletoe carries old symbolic meanings of protection, endurance and sacred association.
Chapter VII: Clan Tartans
Clan Hay has a recognised tartan tradition.
Hay Tartan
The Hay tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 1631 as a Clan/Family tartan.
The register states that the tartan was recorded before the launch of the Scottish Register of Tartans, gives the tartan date as 1 January 1842, and notes its connection with the Vestiarium Scoticum. The threadcount used in the register graphic was recorded by the Earl of Erroll, Chief of the Hays, in the Lyon Court Books on 9 December 2002.
Hay and Leith Tartan
The Hay tartan tradition also includes Hay or Leith / Hay & Leith forms, reflecting tartan naming and family associations recorded in the 19th century.
Hay White Dress Tartan
A Hay White Dress tartan is also known in tartan lists, used for formal or decorative Highland dress contexts.
Hay Ancient and Modern Tartans
Modern suppliers commonly offer Hay tartans in ancient and modern styles.
The difference is usually dye tone:
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Ancient colours are softer and lighter.
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Modern colours are deeper and stronger.
The Meaning of Hay Tartan Today
For modern Hay descendants, tartan represents:
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Erroll heritage
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Slains Castle
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The falcon crest
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The motto “Keep the yoke”
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Bannockburn service
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The Lord High Constable tradition
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Mistletoe plant badge
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Family pride and diaspora identity
The Hay tartan gives one of Scotland’s great noble clans a visible and wearable identity.
Chapter VIII: Heritage, Identity and Clan Traditions
Clan Hay represents a proud Scottish identity built on Norman origins, Scottish loyalty, noble office, castle heritage and ceremonial duty.
Its story includes:
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Norman roots at La Haye
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The Barony of Erroll
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Marriage into native Scottish aristocracy
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Sir Gilbert Hay at Bannockburn
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Hereditary Lords High Constable of Scotland
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Old and New Slains Castle
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The Earls of Erroll
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The Hays of Yester and Tweeddale
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The Hays of Kinnoull
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The falcon crest
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The motto “Serva Jugum”
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The slogan “A Hay! A Hay!”
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Mistletoe plant badge
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Hay tartans
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A living chief
Associated names and branches include:
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Hay
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Haye
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Hayes
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Hays
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Hayle
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Haynes
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Hayton
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Hayward
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Erroll
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Slains
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Yester
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Tweeddale
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Kinnoull
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Delgatie
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Dupplin
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Constable
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Delahaye
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MacGaradh
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Garrow
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Leith
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Peebles
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Locherworth
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Turriff
Modern clan summaries list a broad group of septs and associated names for Clan Hay.
Chapter IX: Clan Hay Today
Today, Clan Hay remains a recognised Scottish clan with a living chief.
The current chief is:
Merlin Sereld Hay
24th Earl of Erroll
Lord High Constable of Scotland
Chief of Clan Hay
The official Clan Hay website identifies the chief as the 24th Earl of Erroll and Lord High Constable of Scotland.
Modern Clan Hay identity can be found through:
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Clan Hay Society
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Family history research
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Tartan wearing
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Scottish heritage events
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Study of Slains, Erroll, Yester and Delgatie
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Interest in Bannockburn and Bruce history
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Genealogy projects
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Diaspora communities across the world
The clan stands today as a symbol of duty, service, nobility, Scottish loyalty and family pride.
Chapter X: Legacy of Clan Hay
The story of Clan Hay begins with a Norman name and becomes one of Scotland’s great noble traditions.
From Erroll to Slains, from Bannockburn to the office of Lord High Constable, from falcon crests to mistletoe badges, Clan Hay carries a history of service, loyalty and rank.
Its crest, the falcon rising from the coronet, speaks of noble watchfulness.
Its motto gives the clan its voice:
Serva Jugum — Keep the yoke.
That phrase captures the Hay spirit: carry duty, hold discipline, remain faithful to the burden of service.
From Sir Gilbert Hay at Bannockburn to the modern Earl of Erroll, from Slains Castle to descendants across the world, Clan Hay continues to carry its history forward.
Its legacy is written in tartan, falcons, mistletoe, castle stone, royal office, 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 Hay is one chapter in that greater story — a story of Erroll chiefs, Bannockburn honour, falcon crests, mistletoe, Slains Castle, tartans and the ancient command to Keep the yoke.
Discover more Scottish history, clan stories, castle features and heritage content at:
www.tartantimemachine.com