Historical and authentic account of the ancient and noble family of Keith, Earls Marichal of Scotland

25
office of great dignity and eminence, and of
great power in pence and war. forebv one of
the chief ancient oilices. oi the crown; before
ofticersof .state were introduced into the nation.
And, for supporting this dignity, the King
conferred on him many lands; the chief of
which was called from his name, Keith Maris*
chaL in East Lothian. § Most of those who
had followed Robert, and served the King in
the last battle, were sent home and rewarded,
not only with ample right and title to the lands
they formerly possessed, but had also others-
distributed among them, whose posterity con-
tinued to this day very powerful and numer-
ous; spreading into the families of Macintosh,
Farquharson, Macpherson, Shaw, &c. under
the general name of Clan-Chattan ; and their
commander, or chief, has since, instead of the
German word Chattus, or Cattus, been
according to the Scots dialect Keth, or
Keith.
He, (Robert) married Margaret Frazer,
daughter to Simon Frazer of Tweedale, and
of him descended a race of the greatest heros
that ever Scotland produced.
§ This is considerably different from the foot note
in page 19 of this book, which aavs the nmity of
Keith assumed their snrtlr.mfc froni the Baj'oiry of
Keith in East Lothian. The abo\el hold tcfceihjs
most correct.
c