Bells on the Net Clan Bell Discussion Area Clan Bell Contacts

• Badge: A hand holding a dagger, paleways proper.
  
• Motto: I beir the bel.
  
• Gaelic Name: --.
• Tartan: Family
• Branches and locations: Cowholm in Half-Morton Parish, Pennersax in Pennersax Parish, Kirksleights in Hutton and Corrie Parish, Curre in Corrie Parish, Laverhay and Poldeen in Wamphray Parish, Clynts in Ecclefechan Parish, Kirkconnel in Kirkpatrick-Flemming Parish, Albie (including Satur) in Pennersax Parish, Auldhall and Land,Blackethouse in Pennersax Parish, Godsbrig and Scotsbrig in Middlebie Parish, Dunnabie in Carruthers Parish, Neuk or Broadlea in Pennersax Parish, The Hillor Middlebiehill in Middlebie Parish, Castlebank in Ecclefechan Parish, Middlebie Tenants, Crowdieknowe in Carruthers Parish, Minsca and Torbeckhill and Carruthers in Carruthers Parish, Whitcastles and Whiteknowe in Corrie Parish, Crurie in Eskdalemuir Parish, Stockbriggs in Middlebie Parish, Nether Albie in Pennersax Parish, Between-the-Waters in Carruthers Parish, Hotts in Carruthers Parish, Water of Milk in St. Mungo Parish, Winterhopehead in Carruthers Parish, Skellyholm (now Glenholm) in St. Mungo Parish, Milton and Newhall in Tundergarth Parish, Tundergarth Tenants, Rammerscales in DaltonParish.

No matter the origin, those of the name settled in the southwest of Scotland no later than the early 1100s and quite possibly much sooner.

The Bells are a Border Family from Dumfriesshire. In the 1300s, there were so many Bells there was no land left. Many went to Russia, Germany, France,etc., while others remained in Scotland and migrated toward the larger cities in search of a livelyhood. One Ian Bell, a stonemason, is credited with building five well known castles in the Fife area. His name is chiseled into the castles walls.

On March 6, 1426, King James I confirmed a Charter granted by the then deceased Archibald, Earl of Douglas, Lord of Galloway and Annandale, to William Bell, the lands of Kircconveth, also called Fleminglandis, in the Lordship of Annandale, which had gone to the Earl after the death of John Carrutheris without heir. Now known as Kirkconnel, this land granted to William Bell, was quite possibly the first land obtained by parchment rather than by sword.

Thomas Bell of Kirkconnel was a close friend and supporter of James IX, last Earl of Douglas. In the late 1400s, when Douglas lost at Arkinholme and Burnswark, the Earl' ruin was complete. The Earl's and his allies lands were divided by the King among his own supporters.

The raiding party that rescued Kinmont Willie Armstrong from the Carlisle Castle Gaol included four Bells, one of which was Chief of the Bells, William Bell called Redcloak. Willie and William were brothers-in-law.

After 1610, and the Union of the Crowns, many Bells opted to go to the Ulster Plantation in Ireland. Finding it to be as bad or worse than their lot on the Border, many continued on to North America, after a time, where they spread all over Canada and the present United States.

Always a question is the Bell Sept of the Highland MacMillan Clan. Althoughthe MacMillan version has been accepted for years, our research has determinedthe possibility of error. A group of Border Bells migrated to the Glasgow area in the 1300s, stayed awhile and then moved on into Argyll. There we can prove that part of the group affiliated with the Campbells. We believe the remainder affiliated with the MacMillans, a commonplace practice in thosedays. Due to the discovery of burial flats and stones with the Border BellCoat of Arms on them, it is believed the Bell Sept of MacMillan descend from demographically, displaced Border Bells.

In 1988, after a three year search, it was determined that Douglas Bell, CBE,was the Chief Apparent; however, in 1993 Douglas regretfully passed away.Hisson Benjamin is now Chief Apparent and, upon Lyon Court approval, will become Chief of the Bells.

Information provided by the Bell Family Association of the United States and used with permission.

Thanks also to Chuck Bell for his assistance.