PURPOSE OF OUR Chief of the Clan ORGANIZATION Clan

• To promote Clan Cunningham descendants, the district families and Cunningham Clan history. • To enjoy friendship and camaraderie at International various ethnic, Celtic, Scottish and Scots-Irish festivals and games.

• To appreciate our common Scottish Sir John Christopher Foggo heritage via genealogical research of our members. Montgomery Cuninghame of that Ilk SOME VARIOUS SPELLINGS OF CUNNINGHAM: Cunyingham/e, Cunninggim Cuningham/e, Cunungsby Cunygan Cunyngham/e Conyngham MacCunnegan “K” in Place of “C” Finlaystone, the ancestral home of the Clan Cunningham, is located along the ASSOCIATED FAMILIES Clyde River in , near Langbank. It came to the Cunninghams Boyd Hemphill in 1405 when Sir William Cunningham, Chancellor Paisley Lord of , married Margaret, the Coon/Cooney Powers daughter of Sir Robert Danielston of that Dunlop/Dunlap Stair/s Ilk, who presented his new son-in law Flack Starrett/Steritt with Finlaystone in Renfrewshire, George Stirrat Glencairn in Dumfriesshire, Danielston Giffen Stirie/Stirey Visit our Website at: and . William’s grandson, Gunion Winchester www.clancunninghamintl.org Alexander, became the first Earl of Hackney Woodburn Glencairn in 1488. Hair/Hare/Hairt

Clan Cunningham International The Name “Cunningham” Educational Scholarship Fund The name Cunningham, which according to Program some may signify “courage in battle,” could have come from “Cunedda” who was a king Educational scholarship awards will be available of the “Gododdin,” a Celtic branch of Britons to CCI members age 10 and older who wish to known by the Romans as the “Votadini.” further their education in studies pertaining to When the Dalriada Scots emigrated from Scottish and/or Clan Cunningham history, Ireland in about 500AD, they were confronted culture, music, dance, genealogy, or any other by the Strathclyde Britons, the Gododdin viable project that will promote Scottish culture. Britons and the Picts. The name Cunedda Awards will be based on merit, not financial eventually led to the names and words need. Cyning, Kynge and finally King. The “ham” MEMBERSHIP signifies “hamlet” or small town and was Membership in the Clan Cunningham probably added in Norman times. International is open to all persons bearing Still others claim that in the Celtic language the name of Cunningham, or descended The District of Cunedda was rendered as Cinneidigh from a Cunningham, however spelled, by (meaning ugly or grim-headed). The name birth, marriage or adoption. In the 12th century many gradually became especially associated with Membership is open to persons related to landowners assumed the name of their the district of Carrick in Ayshire, . or descended from any of the associated estates as a last name, as did Wernebald’s The word “cunning” could mean “coney” or families from the District of Cunninghame sons and grandsons. Eventually rabbit. This theory is popular because the coat or . Affiliated (non-voting) Cunningham became the name of the of arms of the Earls of Glencairn reflects two memberships are available to anyone northern third of Ayrshire. Up until 1975, coneys as the supporters. It is interesting to interested in Scottish culture and our clan. the County of Ayrshire had three districts: note that in a Gaelic on-line dictionary, the Members receive: Cunninghame in the north, Kyle in the word “coney” (or rabbit) translates as * a home base at various Highland center and Carrick in the south. “coinean” and the name Cunningham Games and ethnic festivals where Clan Cunningham was a Lowland translates as “coineagan.” Another translation Clan members sponsor a tent. Family, as opposed to a Highland Clan. is “milk pail” from the Gaelic word * newsletters (via email unless Historically, few of the worldly “cuineag.” This theory seems the least otherwise requested) Lowlanders communicated with the plausible. * access to genealogical research from Highlanders whom they saw as savage, Despite these different translations, it seems our database dangerous and ignorant. Like the ancient safe to say that the district took its name from * information from our official website Romans, Lowlanders mostly ignored their the original Cunedda family of Britons. In the Annual Dues are $25 for regular or heathen neighbors to the North. Even the twelfth century, Hugh de Moreville granted affiliate membership. Scottish kings found it difficult to control the manor of Cunninghame and most of the For membership information or the Highlanders, so they looked to parish of Kilmaurs to his loyal warrior, application, write to: Lowland families like the Cunninghams Wernebald, progenitor of the Earls of Kathleen Lester and the Earls of Glencairn, for support. Glencairn. The land which Wernebald 2201 CR 44800 received had been named Cunninghame for Blossom, TX, 75416 several centuries. Or join from our website using PayPal!!