Michael Macylhaggow

I have referred before to Michael Macylhaggow (11 Feb 09, 14 Mar 09, 4 Jul 11, 15 Nov 11 and 3 Dec 11). Michael is important for us as he is the first clan member with an anglicised form to our name who is referred to in an extant document. His surname is of special interest for three reasons. He is the only historical person known to me where 'Mac' is used rather than 'Mc'. He is the only example of 'y' being used instead of 'I', a common enough practice in the 16th Century. And the ending of his name, 'ow', is nearer to the Gaelic original than our present day 'a' or 'er'. He appears in 1527 as a witness to one of the 'Laing' Charters, number 359 in a publication known as the Calendar of the Laing Charters, AD 854 - 1837, published by J. Thin of Edinburgh. The authors were David Laing, 1793-1878 and John Anderson, 1845-1911. The Charters are held by Edinburgh University Library.

I have not before shown the full entry, the form of which some will find strange, but for completeness, here it is. It tells us nothing about Michael Macylhaggow, except that he existed in 1527. We may try to deduce something about him. We may wonder how old he was and so when he might have been born, and where he was resident.

359. 17th August 1527.] Charter by John Kennedy of Bardrochet and laird of Clachrydow and Clachrybayne, granting to his beloved Elizabeth GiiAHAJtE, sister to Robert (Jrahame of Knokdoliane, the 40s. lands of Clachrydow and Clachrybaj'ne lying in the earldom of Cai lyk and sherittUom of Ayr: To be held to her in liferent and to the heirs to lie born betwixt her and the granter in fee. Reddenchj, one penny Scots as blench. At Colmanell, 17tli August 1527. Signed, 'Jon Kenedy of Bai'drocht w' my hand.' Witnesses, John Cathkert of Glendowis, Michael Macylhaggow, William Hardy, and Sir Patrick Bard, curate of Colmanell and notary public. [497, Box 15.

We may judge that the transcriber had some difficulty in reading some words, which we can make guesses at, including perhaps Graham, Carrick, Sherriffdom, &c. The only thing that we may perhaps add is that as Michael signed second, he might have been considered second senior after John Cathkert. John signed as 'of Glendowis'. As no place name appears after Michael I think we may assume he was from Colmanell.