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Clan Inglis

Clan Inglis: A Legacy of Cramond, Silver Lions and the Noble Anger of the Lion

Introduction

Clan Inglis is a historic Lowland Scottish clan and surname tradition, rooted especially in Lanarkshire, Cramond, Craigend, Murdostoun, Branxholme, Gairloch, Tarvit, Auchindinny, and the wider Lowland and Borders world of Scotland.

The clan motto is:

“Nobilis Est Ira Leonis”
“The lion’s anger is noble.”

The clan crest is:

A demi-lion rampant Argent.

In simpler terms, this is a silver half-lion standing upright in a fighting posture.

The plant badge is commonly listed as:

Mayflower.

Clan Inglis is generally described today as an armigerous clan, meaning it has clan and heraldic identity, but no current chief recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon. ScotlandShop describes Clan Inglis as armigerous and states that it does not currently have a recognised chief. 

This article explores the history, people, heritage, tartans, crest, motto, branches and modern legacy of Clan Inglis.

Chapter I: Origins of Clan Inglis

The surname Inglis comes from the Scots word meaning English or Englishman.

In medieval Scotland, the word Inglis could describe someone who spoke English, came from England, or was associated with English-speaking settlers in Scotland. Over time, it became a hereditary surname.

Historic spellings and forms include:

  • Inglis

  • Ingliss

  • Ingles

  • Inglese

  • English

  • Inglis of Cramond

  • Inglis of Gairloch

  • Inglis of Milton Bryan

  • Inglis of Craigend

  • Inglis of Murdostoun

  • Inglis of Branxholme

  • Inglis of Tarvit

The Inglis story is a Lowland Scottish story. It belongs to the world of estates, charters, burghs, law, landholding, military service, baronetcies and heraldry.

It is not a Highland clan of island galleys and mountain warbands. It is a Scottish surname and clan tradition that grew from the language and borderland realities of medieval Scotland.

The name itself is interesting because it reflects Scotland’s layered identity. In a Gaelic-speaking or Scots-speaking kingdom, someone called Inglis carried a name that marked language, origin or association — yet the family became part of Scotland’s own historical fabric.

Chapter II: Clan Territory and Ancestral Lands

Clan Inglis is associated with several regions and houses, including:

  • Lanarkshire

  • Cramond

  • Craigend

  • Murdostoun

  • Heartwood

  • Roxburghshire

  • Branxholme

  • Gairloch

  • Milton Bryan

  • Auchindinny

  • Tarvit

  • Fingask

  • The Scottish Lowlands

  • The wider Scottish diaspora

Modern clan summaries list the historic seats of Clan Inglis as Craigend Castle and Branxholme Castle, with districts including Lanarkshire, Cramond, Craigend, Murdostoun, Heartwood, Roxburghshire and Auchindinny. 

One of the most important branches was:

Inglis of Cramond

St Kilda Store notes that the Inglis family of Cramond became prominent in Edinburgh after purchasing the lands of Cramond from the Bishop of Dunkeld in 1624. 

Other important branches included:

  • Inglis of Gairloch

  • Inglis of Milton Bryan

  • Inglis of Craigend

  • Inglis of Newtonleys

  • Inglis of Murdostoun

  • Inglis of Fingask

  • Inglis of Inglistarvit

  • Inglis of Branxholme

  • Inglis of Manor

  • Inglis of Hartwood

  • Inglis of Auchindinny

  • Inglis of Tarvit

The Inglis landscape is therefore broad, Lowland and estate-based. Its history is not centred on one mountain homeland, but on a network of houses, branches and families spread through southern and central Scotland.

Chapter III: Important People of Clan Inglis

The Early Inglis Families

The early Inglis families appear in Scotland as Lowland surname bearers, likely connected with English-speaking communities, border movement, estate service or local landholding.

Because the name describes language or origin, different Inglis lines may have developed in separate places rather than all descending from one single early ancestor.

Inglis of Cramond

The Inglis of Cramond became one of the most important lines of the name.

The family became prominent in Edinburgh after acquiring Cramond in 1624, and the branch later produced notable public and military figures. 

Sir James Inglis of Cramond

Sir James Inglis of Cramond was created a baronet in 1687.

This gave the Cramond line formal rank within the Scottish and British baronetage and helped preserve the family’s place in Lowland noble and legal society.

Sir John Inglis of Cramond

The last recognised chief is commonly listed as:

Sir John Inglis of Cramond

Modern clan summaries list him as the last chief of Clan Inglis, with his death recorded on 24 November 1817. 

Since then, Clan Inglis has generally been treated as armigerous.

Rear-Admiral Charles Inglis

Rear-Admiral Charles Inglis, born in 1731, was a younger son of the Cramond family and became an important naval figure.

His career shows the wider service tradition of the Inglis name beyond landholding and heraldry.

The Inglis Branches

The many Inglis branches — Cramond, Gairloch, Craigend, Murdostoun, Branxholme, Tarvit and others — show that the family was not one isolated house, but a broad Lowland network.

This makes the Inglis name especially useful for genealogy because descendants may trace to several different regional lines.

Chapter IV: Castles, Houses and Historic Sites

Craigend Castle

Craigend Castle is listed as one of the historic seats of Clan Inglis.

It represents one of the estate-based centres of the Inglis family.

Branxholme Castle

Branxholme Castle is also listed as a historic seat connected with Clan Inglis.

Branxholme is strongly associated with the Borders and the wider world of powerful Lowland families, estate networks and tower-house culture.

Cramond

Cramond is one of the most important places in Inglis history.

The Inglis family of Cramond became prominent after purchasing Cramond from the Bishop of Dunkeld in 1624. 

Cramond connects the name to Edinburgh’s wider history, the Firth of Forth, legal society, landed status and Lowland public life.

Murdostoun

Murdostoun was another important Inglis-associated estate.

The Murdostoun line adds to the picture of Clan Inglis as a family of multiple branches across central and southern Scotland.

Tarvit and Fingask

Tarvit and Fingask are also associated with Inglis branches, showing the name’s spread through Fife, Perthshire and Lowland Scotland.

Chapter V: Battles, Wars and Clan Events

Clan Inglis is not chiefly remembered for one famous Highland battle under a warlike chief.

Its history is better understood through:

  • Lowland landholding

  • Branch development

  • Edinburgh prominence

  • Baronetcy

  • Heraldic identity

  • Naval and public service

  • Modern tartan recognition

Rise of the Cramond Line

The purchase of Cramond in 1624 was one of the defining events in Inglis history. It made the Inglis of Cramond branch especially prominent and helped establish the family in Edinburgh’s social and landed world. 

The Inglis Baronetcy

The creation of Sir James Inglis of Cramond as a baronet in 1687 gave the family a recognised hereditary honour.

This was a major moment in the formal elevation of the Inglis name.

Loss of Recognised Chiefship

With the death of Sir John Inglis of Cramond in 1817, the recognised chiefly line ceased to continue in the same way. Modern summaries list him as the last chief. 

This explains why Clan Inglis is now usually described as armigerous.

Modern Clan and Tartan Identity

Modern Clan Inglis identity is preserved through tartan, surname research, heraldry, branch histories and Scottish diaspora interest.

The official Scottish Register of Tartans records an Inglis tartan, giving the name a visible modern clan identity. 

Chapter VI: Clan Crest, Motto and Badge

Clan Crest

The Inglis crest is:

A demi-lion rampant Argent.

This means a silver half-lion in a rampant posture.

ScotClans gives the Inglis crest as a demi lion rampant Argent, while ScotsConnection also lists the crest as a demi lion. 

The lion suggests:

  • Courage

  • Nobility

  • Strength

  • Royal association

  • Honour

  • Controlled fury

  • Defence of name and family

Clan Motto

The clan motto is:

“Nobilis Est Ira Leonis”

This means:

“The lion’s anger is noble.”

ScotsConnection gives the Inglis motto as Nobilis Est Ira Leonis, translated as The lion’s anger is noble. 

The motto is striking. It does not celebrate reckless anger. It suggests righteous anger, noble defence and strength used with honour.

For Clan Inglis, the lion’s anger is not petty rage.

It is the anger of dignity when honour is threatened.

Clan Badge

The plant badge is commonly listed as:

Mayflower

Modern clan summaries list Mayflower as the plant badge of Clan Inglis. 

For accuracy, the strongest Inglis symbols are:

  • The silver demi-lion

  • The motto “Nobilis Est Ira Leonis”

  • Cramond

  • Craigend Castle

  • Branxholme Castle

  • Mayflower

  • The Inglis tartan

Chapter VII: Clan Tartans

Clan Inglis has recognised tartan entries.

Inglis Tartan

The Inglis tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 1825. 

This gives modern Inglis descendants a recognised tartan identity.

MacIntyre, Inglis Tartan

The Scottish Register of Tartans also records a MacIntyre, Inglis tartan under reference 2487. 

This reflects the fact that some tartans have overlapping or shared associations, especially where family, sept or commercial naming traditions overlap.

Inglis Ancient and Modern Tartans

Modern tartan suppliers commonly offer Inglis tartans in ancient and modern shades.

The difference is usually dye tone:

  • Ancient colours are softer and lighter.

  • Modern colours are deeper and stronger.

The Meaning of Inglis Tartan Today

For modern Inglis descendants, tartan represents:

  • Lowland Scottish heritage

  • Cramond and branch identity

  • The silver lion crest

  • The motto “The lion’s anger is noble”

  • Family pride

  • Diaspora connection

  • A visible Scottish identity for a historic surname

The Inglis tartan gives a Lowland surname tradition a wearable symbol of family memory.

Chapter VIII: Heritage, Identity and Clan Traditions

Clan Inglis represents a Lowland Scottish identity built on language, landholding, heraldry, noble anger, branch families and quiet endurance.

Its story includes:

  • A name meaning English or Englishman

  • Lowland Scottish development

  • Cramond prominence

  • Craigend Castle

  • Branxholme Castle

  • Inglis of Gairloch

  • Inglis of Murdostoun

  • Inglis of Tarvit

  • Inglis baronets

  • The silver demi-lion crest

  • The motto “Nobilis Est Ira Leonis”

  • Mayflower plant badge

  • Inglis tartans

  • Armigerous modern status

Associated names and spellings include:

  • Inglis

  • Ingliss

  • Ingles

  • Inglese

  • English

The Inglis story is a reminder that Scottish clan history is not only Highland and Gaelic. Scotland’s Lowland surnames also hold castles, mottoes, crests, tartans, titles, branches and deep ancestral pride.

Chapter IX: Clan Inglis Today

Today, Clan Inglis is generally described as an armigerous clan.

That means it has clan identity, heraldry, tartan and historic branches, but no current chief recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon. ScotlandShop states this clearly in its Inglis clan guide. 

Modern Clan Inglis identity can be found through:

  • Family history research

  • Tartan wearing

  • Scottish heritage events

  • Study of Cramond, Craigend and Branxholme

  • Research into Inglis baronets and branch families

  • Genealogy projects

  • Diaspora communities across the world

For Inglis descendants, the best first step is to identify the branch or region:

Cramond?
Gairloch?
Murdostoun?
Branxholme?
Tarvit?
Lanarkshire?
Roxburghshire?
Diaspora?

That will determine the strongest historical path.

The name stands today as a symbol of Lowland heritage, noble heraldry, family endurance and Scottish surname pride.

Chapter X: Legacy of Clan Inglis

The story of Clan Inglis begins with a word meaning English, but it becomes a Scottish story.

From Lowland roots came a family of estates, branches, baronets, heraldry and tartans.

Its crest, the silver demi-lion, speaks of courage and noble force.

Its plant badge, Mayflower, adds a softer symbol of continuity and renewal.

Its motto gives the clan its voice:

Nobilis Est Ira Leonis — The lion’s anger is noble.

That phrase captures the Inglis spirit: dignity defended, honour preserved, strength held until needed.

From Cramond to Branxholme, from Craigend to descendants across the world, Clan Inglis continues to carry its history forward.

Its legacy is written in tartan, lions, Mayflower, estate records, branch names, heraldry 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 Inglis is one chapter in that greater story — a story of Lowland roots, Cramond prominence, silver lions, Mayflower, tartans, historic branches and the proud motto: The lion’s anger is noble.

Discover more Scottish history, clan stories, castle features and heritage content at:

www.tartantimemachine.com