The SKEEN family in South AfricaUpdated September 6, 2000 | |
| Welcome to the Home Page of the SKEEN family in South Africa. WHY SOUTH AFRICA? We have been here since the middle of the previous century (about 1860) when our Ancestor, Alexander Octavius Skeen, arrived by steamship on his way to Australia. The ship wrecked on the southern shores of South Africa, close to Mossel Bay. Alexander decided to stay and found work on the farm of the VERMAAK family. He eventually married one of the Vermaak daughters. From this marriage were born sixteen children, and thus he became the Ancestor of the SKEEN family in South Africa. With the help of 'Family Tree Maker' a complete record of the history of the family is in the process of being published. SCOTTISH ORIGIN OF THE CLAN NAME - Racial Group: Pictish Gaelic Name: Clann Donnachaidh Mar (pronounced Don-a-key) Crest: A dexter arm from the shoulder issuing out of a cloud and holding forth a triumphal crown, or, garland of laurel leaves, proper Badge: Fern or Bracken Motto: Virtutis Regia Merces (For valour, the reward of the king) As their Gaelic name, badge and motto imply, this clan comes from the same stock as the Duncans and Robertsons. Thomas of Renniach, or Rannoch, younger son of a progenitor of the Clan Donnachaidh, was, according to tradition, hunting with a royal party in the forest of Stocket, Aberdeenshire, when King Malcolm II, fifteenth King of Scotia (1005-1034AD) was attacked by a wild boar. Young Renniach, who was close to the King, immediately wrapped his plaid round his left arm and thrust it between the boar's jaws, at the same time plunging his sgian (skene, or knife) into the brute's heart. For this opportune aid the King offered his rescuer as reward either as much land as a hound could course round, or the territory that could be covered in a hawk's flight. Renniach chose the latter, and this formed the ancient Barony of Skene in Aberdeenshire. The clan afterwards adopted the name 'Skene' from their place of residence. In 1827 the family became extinct in the direct line, the estates passing to James, Earl of Fife, nephew of the last Skene of Skene. For the next 166 years no one came forward to claim the title of Skene of Skene. Then, as recently as 1992, the Lord Lyon recognised Danus George Moncrieff Skene as Skene of Halyards. The final step of recognition as Skene of Skene came in 1994. Chief Danus Skene of Skene says: "My only ambition in the matter now is to use the position as head of name in the new role of bringing together Skene clansmen worldwide and of expanding an awareness of modern Scotland." A carving in stone is preserved at SKENE HOUSE in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, about 16 km west of Aberdeen, on the A944 route. Variations found in the spelling of the Clan Name: SKENE 1020 AD - SCHENE 13th Century - SKEEN 1509 - SKEYNE 1594 SKEENE 1649 - SKINE 1653 - SKEIN 1601 - SKYNE 1586 - SKEINE 1509 SKEYN - SKEN 1474 - SKIN 1586 |
|
|
Alexander Octavius SKEEN 63 Estantia Flats 1185 Woodlands Drive Queenswood, Pretoria 0121 A-United States +27-12-3335844 skeen@iafrica.com
|
|
Edit Your Page |
|
Related Links |
|
The content shown on this page has been submitted by a Genealogy.com customer, and is not subject to verification by Genealogy.com. Neither Genealogy.com nor its affiliates are responsible for the accuracy of any information contained on this page. The opinions expressed on this page are the author's alone and not the opinions of Genealogy.com.
|
|||||||||||||||||
| © Copyright 1996-2007, The Generations Network. |