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Clan Logan

Clan Logan: A Legacy of Restalrig, Drumderfit and the Valour of the Ancestors

Introduction

Clan Logan is a historic Scottish clan and surname tradition with both Lowland and Highland branches, rooted especially in Ayrshire, Restalrig near Edinburgh, Wigtownshire, Lanarkshire, Dumfriesshire, Easter Ross, Drumderfit, and the wider Scottish diaspora.

The clan motto is:

“Hoc Majorum Virtus”
“This is the valour of my ancestors.”

The clan crest is:

A passion nail piercing a human heart, proper.

The clan plant badge is commonly listed as:

Furze, also known as gorse.

The clan slogan is:

“Druim-nan-deur”
“The ridge of tears.”

Clan Logan is usually described today as armigerous, meaning it has heraldic and clan identity but no current chief recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon. ScotlandShop describes Logan as armigerous, and modern Clan Logan material notes that the family has been working through a chief-restoration process. 

This article explores the history, people, heritage, tartans, crest, motto, Lowland and Highland branches, MacLennan connection and modern legacy of Clan Logan.

Chapter I: Origins of Clan Logan

The surname Logan is usually derived from the Gaelic word:

Lagan
or
Laggan

meaning:

A little hollow
A low place
or
A small glen.

This makes Logan a territorial or landscape surname — a name connected to a hollow, valley or low-lying place. Clan histories note that because lagan is a common descriptive place-name in Scotland, the surname may have arisen in more than one region. 

Historic spellings and related forms include:

  • Logan

  • Logane

  • Logen

  • Logyn

  • Logie

  • Laggan

  • Lagan

  • Loban

  • Lobanach

  • Logan of that Ilk

  • Logan of Restalrig

  • Logan of Drumderfit

Clan Logan is unusual because it has more than one important identity.

There were Lowland Logans, including the Logans of that Ilk and the powerful Logans of Restalrig.

There were also Highland Logans, including the Logans of Drumderfit in Easter Ross, who are closely connected with traditions surrounding Clan MacLennan. 

This gives Clan Logan a wide Scottish geography: Lowland, Highland, eastern, western and diasporic.

Chapter II: Clan Territory and Ancestral Lands

Clan Logan’s historic associations include:

  • Ayrshire

  • Old Cumnock

  • Logan House / Logan Estate

  • Restalrig

  • Edinburgh

  • Wigtownshire

  • Dumfriesshire

  • Lanarkshire

  • Montrose

  • Easter Ross

  • Drumderfit

  • North Kessock

  • The Black Isle

  • The wider Scottish diaspora

The Lowland chiefly line, Logan of that Ilk, is associated with Old Cumnock in Ayrshire. Modern Clan Logan summaries describe the Logans of that Ilk as the chiefly line and locate them in the old parish of Old Cumnock. 

The Logans of Restalrig were another powerful Lowland branch, connected with lands near Edinburgh. High Life Highland describes Restalrig near Edinburgh as the home of the Lowland Logans. 

The Highland Logans of Drumderfit were based in Easter Ross, and traditions connect them to the origins of Clan MacLennan. Electric Scotland notes that the Logans of Drumderfit were still in Easter Ross in the early 18th century. 

Clan Logan is therefore not limited to one region. It is a name with several roots, several branches and several historical identities.

Chapter III: Important People of Clan Logan

Adam of Logan

One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Adam of Logan, who witnessed a charter of King Alexander II on 25 August 1236. 

This places the Logan name in Scottish records during the early 13th century.

The Logans in the Ragman Roll

In 1296, several Logans appear in the Ragman Rolls, swearing homage to Edward I of England during the Wars of Scottish Independence.

These included:

  • Andreu de Logyn of Wigtownshire

  • Phelipp de Logyn, burgess of Montrose

  • Thurbrandus de Logyn of Dumfriesshire

  • Walterus Logan

  • Wautier Logan of Lanarkshire

This shows the name spread across several parts of Scotland by the late 13th century. 

The Logans of Restalrig

The Logans of Restalrig became one of the most historically significant branches of the name.

They were Lowland landholders near Edinburgh and became connected with some of Scotland’s most dramatic late-medieval and early-modern political events.

Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig

One of the most famous — and controversial — Logans was Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig.

He is remembered in connection with political intrigue surrounding the Gowrie Conspiracy of 1600, although the exact nature of his involvement remains historically debated. Because of the scandal, the Restalrig line suffered severe consequences in the early 17th century.

The Logans of Drumderfit

The Logans of Drumderfit in Easter Ross are important because of their connection to Clan MacLennan traditions.

MacLennan origin stories often connect the MacLennans to the Logans of Drumderfit, particularly through the death of a Logan leader and the birth of a child whose descendants became MacLennan. 

Hugh Logan

Modern Clan Logan material identifies Hugh Logan, born in 1739 at Logan House in Ayrshire, as the last known chief of the Clan and Family of Logan. 

This is important because it explains why Clan Logan is now generally described as armigerous and why modern Logan societies have pursued a chief-restoration process.

Chapter IV: Castles, Houses and Historic Sites

Logan Estate, Ayrshire

The Logan Estate in Ayrshire is tied to the old chiefly line of Logan of that Ilk.

Modern Logan material states that Hugh Logan, regarded as the last known chief, was born at Logan House on the Logan Estate in Ayrshire. The house no longer exists. 

For Clan Logan, this site represents:

  • Chiefship

  • Ayrshire roots

  • Lowland Logan identity

  • The old Logan of that Ilk line

  • The lost territorial centre of the name

Restalrig

Restalrig, near Edinburgh, is one of the most important Logan places.

It was the home of the Lowland Logans of Restalrig, a family branch deeply connected with late-medieval and early-modern Scottish politics. 

For Clan Logan, Restalrig represents power, ambition, political danger and downfall.

Drumderfit

Drumderfit in Easter Ross is central to the Highland Logan story.

The Logans of Drumderfit are tied to the legendary and historical background of Clan MacLennan. Electric Scotland notes that the Logans of Drumderfit remained in Easter Ross into the early 18th century. 

North Kessock and Kessock Muir

Clan traditions connect the Highland Logans and MacLennans with conflict near North Kessock and Kessock Muir.

St Kilda Store describes the Highland Logan motto or slogan “Druim an Deur” as commemorating the Battle of Kessock Muir, where the Logans were attacked. 

The Archive as Stronghold

Because Clan Logan has several branches and no currently recognised chief, family-history research is especially important.

For Logan descendants, the strongest evidence may be found in:

  • Ayrshire records

  • Restalrig charters

  • Edinburgh legal records

  • Ragman Roll references

  • Easter Ross records

  • MacLennan traditions

  • Tartan records

  • Diaspora records

The Logan story is spread across Scotland — and across the archive.

Chapter V: Battles, Wars and Clan Events

Clan Logan history includes the Wars of Independence, Lowland political drama, Highland conflict, MacLennan traditions and modern chief-restoration efforts.

Wars of Scottish Independence

The appearance of multiple Logans in the Ragman Rolls of 1296 places the name directly in the crisis of the Wars of Scottish Independence. 

Like many Scottish families, the Logans had to survive the dangerous politics of English overlordship, Bruce loyalty, local power and national conflict.

Bruce’s Heart and the Red Heart Symbol

Some Logan traditions connect the red heart in Logan heraldry with the story of Robert the Bruce’s heart and the expedition led by Sir James Douglas to Spain, ending at the Battle of Teba in 1330. Clan Logan Scotland preserves a tradition that the Douglas and Logan red heart symbolism is connected with the knights struck down at Teba. 

This tradition should be presented as clan memory rather than proven fact, but it remains an important part of Logan identity.

Kessock Muir and the Highland Logans

The Highland Logans are connected with conflict at Kessock Muir, remembered in the slogan:

Druim-nan-deur — The ridge of tears.

This tradition is also linked to the later story of Clan MacLennan. 

The MacLennan Connection

Clan Logan and Clan MacLennan share a close tradition.

Modern clan summaries state that the Logan and MacLennan tartans are now shared, and that James Logan’s 1831 tartan became used by both names. 

This connection makes Clan Logan important not only as a clan in its own right, but also as part of MacLennan origin memory.

The Gowrie Conspiracy and Restalrig Downfall

The Logans of Restalrig became associated with the political scandal surrounding the Gowrie Conspiracy.

This damaged the Restalrig line and contributed to the decline of that branch’s political standing.

Modern Chief-Restoration Process

Clan Logan currently has no chief recognised by the Lord Lyon. Modern Clan Logan material states that after an extensive search failed to find a hereditary heir, a family convention was planned in Edinburgh in April 2025 to select a Commander of the Logan family as part of the search for a future chief. 

This makes Clan Logan a living example of how Scottish clan leadership can be restored through modern heraldic process.

Chapter VI: Clan Crest, Motto and Badge

Clan Crest

The Logan crest is:

A passion nail piercing a man’s heart, proper.

ScotsConnection gives the Logan crest as a passion nail piercing a man’s heart. 

This is one of the most striking crests in Scottish clan heraldry.

The symbols suggest:

  • Sacrifice

  • Ancestral courage

  • Religious imagery

  • Loyalty unto suffering

  • Bruce-heart traditions

  • Memory of valour and loss

The heart is central to Logan symbolism.

Clan Motto

The clan motto is:

“Hoc Majorum Virtus”

This means:

“This is the valour of my ancestors.”

ScotlandShop and ScotsConnection both give this motto and translation. 

The motto means:

  • Honour the ancestors

  • Remember inherited courage

  • Live up to past valour

  • Carry the family name with dignity

  • Let ancestral strength guide the present

For Clan Logan, the motto is a direct appeal to memory.

Clan Slogan

The clan slogan is:

“Druim-nan-deur”

This means:

“The ridge of tears.”

Modern Logan summaries list this as the slogan of Clan Logan. 

It is a haunting phrase, deeply suited to a clan whose history includes loss, battle memory and broken chiefship.

Clan Badge

The plant badge is:

Furze, also known as gorse.

Modern clan summaries list furze/gorse as the plant badge associated with Clan Logan. 

Gorse is fitting for Logan:

  • Hardy

  • Bright

  • Thorned

  • Common on rough ground

  • Resilient in poor soil

  • A plant of endurance and defence

Chapter VII: Clan Tartans

Clan Logan has a recognised tartan tradition.

Logan Tartan

The Logan tartan is recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 2187.

The register states that it was given by James Logan in The Scottish Gaël in 1831, and that it is now also used as the MacLennan clan tartan. 

This makes the Logan tartan especially important because it is shared with another clan tradition.

Logan and MacLennan Shared Tartan

Modern clan summaries explain that both Clan Logan and Clan MacLennan share the same tartan, first recorded by James Logan in 1831. 

This reflects the ancient traditional link between the Highland Logans and MacLennan origins.

Clan Logan Society International Tartan

The Clan Logan Society International tartan is also recorded by the Scottish Register of Tartans under reference 14067, registered in 2023. 

This gives the modern Logan society a contemporary tartan identity alongside the historic Logan/MacLennan tartan.

Logan Ancient and Modern Tartans

Modern suppliers commonly offer Logan tartans in:

  • Ancient

  • Modern

  • Weathered

  • Muted

  • Dress or variant forms where available

The usual distinction is dye tone:

  • Ancient colours are softer and lighter.

  • Modern colours are deeper and stronger.

  • Weathered colours are muted and aged.

The Meaning of Logan Tartan Today

For modern Logan descendants, tartan represents:

  • Ayrshire roots

  • Restalrig heritage

  • Highland Logan memory

  • Drumderfit and MacLennan links

  • The motto “This is the valour of my ancestors”

  • The pierced heart crest

  • Furze plant badge

  • Family pride and diaspora identity

The Logan tartan gives this ancient but currently armigerous clan a visible and wearable Scottish identity.

Chapter VIII: Heritage, Identity and Clan Traditions

Clan Logan represents a Scottish identity built on landscape names, ancestral valour, divided branches, lost chiefship and modern restoration.

Its story includes:

  • The Gaelic lagan, meaning a little hollow

  • Adam of Logan in 1236

  • Logans in the Ragman Roll of 1296

  • Logan of that Ilk in Ayrshire

  • Logan of Restalrig near Edinburgh

  • Highland Logans of Drumderfit

  • MacLennan origin traditions

  • The slogan Druim-nan-deur

  • The heart-and-nail crest

  • The motto Hoc Majorum Virtus

  • Furze plant badge

  • Logan and MacLennan shared tartan

  • Modern chief-restoration work

Associated names and forms include:

  • Logan

  • Logane

  • Logen

  • Logyn

  • Logie

  • Lagan

  • Laggan

  • Loban

  • Lobanach

The Logan story is not one simple line.

It is a story of many hollows, many branches, many regions and one powerful ancestral motto.

Chapter IX: Clan Logan Today

Today, Clan Logan is generally described as armigerous.

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 that Clan Logan is armigerous, and Clan Logan material notes an ongoing process to identify or restore formal leadership. 

Modern Clan Logan identity can be found through:

  • Clan Logan Society International

  • Family history research

  • Tartan wearing

  • Study of Ayrshire, Restalrig and Easter Ross

  • MacLennan-linked traditions

  • Scottish heritage events

  • Genealogy projects

  • Diaspora communities across the world

For Logan descendants, the key question is often:

Which Logan line do you descend from?

Ayrshire?
Restalrig?
Wigtownshire?
Lanarkshire?
Dumfriesshire?
Easter Ross?
MacLennan-linked Highland Logan?
Diaspora?

That will determine the strongest historical path.

Chapter X: Legacy of Clan Logan

The story of Clan Logan begins in the hollows and glens of Scotland, where a place-name became a family name.

From Ayrshire to Restalrig, from the Ragman Roll to Drumderfit, from Highland sorrow to Lowland politics, the Logan name carries a history of courage, loss, memory and endurance.

Its crest, the passion nail piercing the heart, speaks of sacrifice and ancestral courage.

Its plant badge, furze, speaks of thorned survival.

Its slogan gives the clan a haunting landscape:

Druim-nan-deur — The ridge of tears.

Its motto gives the clan its voice:

Hoc Majorum Virtus — This is the valour of my ancestors.

That phrase captures the Logan spirit: remember the past, honour the ancestors, and carry their courage forward.

From Logan Estate to Restalrig, from Drumderfit to descendants across the world, Clan Logan continues to carry its history forward.

Its legacy is written in tartan, hearts, passion nails, gorse, old records, Highland traditions 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 Logan is one chapter in that greater story — a story of Ayrshire roots, Restalrig power, Highland Drumderfit memory, MacLennan links, pierced-heart crests, furze badges, tartans and the ancestral motto: This is the valour of my ancestors.

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

www.tartantimemachine.com