Clan Campbell of Cawdor

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Clan Campbell of Cawdor is a Highland Scottish clan, a branch of the larger Clan Campbell. It is recognised by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs, but there is no clan chief officially recognised by that council, so the clan is considered armigerous (without a current chief).

The head of the Clan Campbell of Cawdor is the Earl of Cawdor. Colin Campbell has held the title since 1993.

Key historical notes:
- In 1499 Muriel Caddell, the daughter and heir of John Caddell, 7th Thane of Caddell, was kidnapped by the Campbells. The Battle of Daltullich was fought between her uncles and the Campbells, and Muriel was taken to the Campbells’ castle.
- In 1510, at age 12, Muriel married Sir John Campbell, the third son of the 2nd Earl of Argyll. From 1524 to 1546, Sir John Campbell of Caddell lived at Caddell (now Cawdor) Castle until his death.
- After Muriel’s death in 1573, the lordship passed to her grandson, John Campbell.

In the 17th century:
- Sir John Campbell of Caddell sold Croy and handed Ferintosh to Lord Lovat to buy the Isle of Islay. The Campbells held Islay from 1612 to 1726, when it was bought by Daniel Campbell of Shawfield.
- Sir John Campbell, 8th of Calder, married Mary Pryce (or Pryse) of Gogerddan in Cardiganshire.

Later history:
- The Campbell of Caddell/Calder line died in 1777 and was succeeded by Pryse Campbell of Calder, who served as a Member of Parliament for Cromartyshire and Nairnshire.
- Pryse’s son John was made Lord Calder of Castlemartin in 1797. When he died in 1821, his son John Frederick Campbell became the 1st Earl of Cawdor. From him descend the Earls of Cawdor to the present.

Name and symbols:
- The name Cawdor is the English version of the old Highland name Calder.
- In the early 19th century Lord John Campbell of Caddell lived in England and changed the castle, town, and clan name to align with the Shakespearean spelling Cawdor.
- Crest badge motto: BE MINDFUL.

Tartan and insignia:
- The Campbell of Cawdor tartan is very similar to other Campbell tartans. It was once unnamed and was called an “Argyle” tartan in 1789. It was officially named Campbell of Cawdor in 1850.
- This tartan is one of four Campbell tartans officially authorised by the current chief, Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll.

Sept and name variants:
- The Campbells of Cawdor have several septs and spellings, including Calder and Caddell, with many historical spellings such as Cadell, Cadella, Caldor, Cawdor, and Cambell, among others.