Mackay’s Invincibles

The legendary Mackay Regiment, often referred to as “Mackay’s Invincibles,” was raised in 1626 by Sir Donald Mackay (Lord Reay) for continental service during the Thirty Years’ War. The regiment initially mustered nearly 3,000 men, largely drawn from the territories of Clan Mackay (Strathnaver) and Clan Munro (Easter Ross), with Robert Munro, the 18th Baron of Foulis (the “Black Baron”), bringing 700 of his own clansmen. The mobilization of these men relied heavily on the regional defense architecture, utilizing cadet branches, septs, and allied families of the northern Scottish Highlands.

Below is the complete genealogical index of the septs, spelling variations, cadet branches, and allied families that made up the regiment.

Clan Munro (Gaelic: Clann an Rothaich) Based in the Easter Ross territory known as Ferindonald, Clan Munro provided a significant portion of the regiment’s heavy infantry and officer corps.

Septs and Spelling Variations:

  • Dingwall: Dingwell, Dingvaile (An influential landowning sept bound by ancestral military alliances).
  • Foulis / Fowlis: Faulis (Derived from the seat of the Barony of Foulis, used by immediate cadet lines and household officers).
  • MacCulloch: Culloch, Gulloch, MacCoulaghe, MacChullach, MacAlach, MacCullaigh, Makcullocht (Ancient landowning family of Easter Ross acting as key military officers).
  • MacLulich: MacLullich, MacLullick, MacClullich, MacHullie.
  • Vass / Wass: Vassie, Waus (Minor gentry and tenants who provided dependable heavy infantry).
  • MacAdie / Keddie / Kiddie: MacAidie, MacKeddie, MacEddie, MacEeddie (Tenant families of Ferindonald who frequently served as archers and light infantrymen).
  • Mac-Weattiche: Mac-Weattich, Mac-Uaithich, MacWattie, MacQuattie (Derived from the porter of Foulis Castle, celebrated for his bravery at the Siege of Stralsund).
  • Munro: Monro, Monroe, Munroe, Manro, Monroo, Munroy, ÓMunroe.
  • Pathillock: Patillo, Patillok.

Principal Cadet Branches (Officer Corps):

  • Munro of Milntown: The senior cadet branch which provided extensive military officers.
  • Munro of Obsdale: Produced major military figures, including General Robert Monro.
  • Munro of Culcairn, Munro of Culrain, Munro of Lemlair, Munro of Newmore, Munro of Fyrish, Munro of Assynt, and Munro of Contullich.

Clan Mackay (Gaelic: Clann Mhic Aoidh / Sìol Mhorgain) Based in the rugged northern region of Strathnaver, Clan Mackay provided the bulk of the recruits for the regiment.

Septs and Spelling Variations:

  • Mackay: McKay, MacKay, McKye, McKeye, Mackie, Mackey, McKy, McAy, McCei, MacCay, M’Cay, MacKee, MacKie, M’aKie, MacCrie, MacQue, MacQuey, MacQuoid, McCoy.
  • Bain / Bayne: Baine, Baines, Bane, Bayin, Bayn, Baynes, Baynne (Descended from John Bain Mackay).
  • MacGhie: MacGhee, MacGee, M’Gy, Mag-Aoidh, Magee, McGee, McGehee, Megee (Common in Galloway and Ulster).
  • MacPhail: Macvail, Paul, Pole, Poleson, Pollard, Polson (Descended from Paul, a grandson of the Mackay chief).
  • Neilson: Nelson (Descended from Neil MacNeill Mackay).
  • Williamson: (Descended from Thomas Mackay).
  • Kay / Key: Keyes, Keys, Kae, Keay, Kie.
  • Allan / Allanson: Allen, MacAllan.
  • Morgan: (The ancient name of the clan).
  • MacBain: MacVain, MacVane, Bean, Beanes, Beine, Bene, Bhaine.
  • Scobie: (Ancient family of Mackay country providing prominent officers).
  • Eason: Easson, Esson, Ison.
  • MacCaa: MacCaw, MacGaa, MacGaw.
  • MacIsaac: (Corruption of MacIye).
  • Iye: Y, Aytho, MacIye.

Principal Cadet Branches (Officer Corps):

  • Mackay of Strathnaver: The ruling chiefly line holding the peerage of Lord Reay.
  • Mackay of Aberach: Senior cadet branch acting as military guardians of the clan’s core lands.
  • Mackay of Scoury, Mackay of Bighouse, Mackay of Strathy, Mackay of Melness, Mackay of Borley, and Mackay of Sandwood.

Allied Easter Ross Families & Support Network The mobilization of the regiment was highly organized and relied heavily on the interconnected social network and dual allegiances of the Easter Ross region.

  • Clan Ross of Balnagown: Provided heavy infantry and shared administrative septs with Clan Munro, most notably the
  • Dingwalls, Vasses, and MacCullochs. These families lived on the borderlands and maintained dual allegiances, making them the seasoned backbone of local regiments.
  • The Bains (Baynes) of Tulloch: Though genetically descended from the northern Mackays of Strathnaver, they migrated to Ross-shire and allied closely with the Munros, establishing a formidable political and military block.
  • Clan Fraser of Lovat: Secured the southern approaches to Easter Ross and heavily intermarried with the Munro chiefly line.
  • Clan Rose of Kilravock: Provided administrative and legal support.
  • Clan Sutherland: Acted as a vital northern buffer for the recruitment territories.
  • Clan Forbes: Maintained a powerful military alliance with the Mackays.
  • Clan Morrison: Provided maritime support and recruits from the far north.
  • The Beaton Medical Kindred: Provided hereditary physicians to the Munro chiefs and their allies, ensuring the Easter Ross regiments had advanced medical support on the battlefields of Europe.
  • Barclay: Walter Barclay served as the official Muster Master for the regiment in 1628.

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