The Ancient History of Irish Kings: Part I
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Discovering Ancient Irish Descent
In my search to discover names to complete my own family tree, I came across a story that potentially links some of my ancestors to ancient Irish Kings. The story centers in part on a man by the name of Sir Laumon of Argyllshire, Scotland, who was the first to carry what would become the clan name Lamont that was later changed to Young in my family line.
According to one source, "Clan Lamont is one of the oldest of Scottish clans, with an oral tradition of descent stretching back to the Kings of Ireland. The name is derived from a chief in the 13th century, Sir Laumon, whose charter granting lands to the Paisley Abby, is still in existence. Few clans can document their existence at such an early date" (Clan Lamont Discussion, para. 4). However, this information is only the beginning because the clan hierarchy would often change names depending upon ownership of lands and other factors. For instance, the first to use the clan name Lamont would be the 1st chief of Clan Laomainn (Chief Lamont of Ardlamont); the name Ardlamont represented the territory and title of this chief and his descendents. The first Chief of the Lamont's descends from Malcom MacFerchar (Lord of Cowall) whose father was Ferchar MacNeill of Kisimul Castle. Span to the year 1603 with John Lamont (Sir John the 14th Chief) having been seiged by the Campbells, his son Andrew would be forced to flee Scotland to Northern Ireland and change his name to Young (his mother's clan name).
The Hill of Tara (Teamhair na Rí)
The ancient legend has it that the high kings of Ireland came to the ancient spot in Ireland known as Teamhair na Rí to conduct rituals such as crownings and other rites of passage. The Stone of Destiny (Lia Fáil)(Jacob's Pillow) was the royal seat upon which the high kings of Ireland were crowned-that is until King Edward I allegedly procured it for himself and his own crowning in the year 1296.
Not really having any ambition to discover noble heritage in my family, I was a bit shocked to find that that the Lamont clan of which one of my ancestors derives could trace their ancestry back to Irish Kings and specifically to Niall mac Eochaid-Niall of the Nine Hostages, or Niall Noigiallach in the time of Patricus, or Saint Patrick. If the tradition is correct, the clan name Lamont can link in a small way to Queen Elizabeth II whose family name derives from Sir Laumon whose son founded the Lyons of Glamis after having to flee Cowal because of his involvement with a murder.
The story goes that this son took the name Lyon from the Lamont arms choosing the reverse of the Lamont’s with a blue lion on a silver field. Of particular significance, I learned, is that the true origin of the lion commonly seen in noble family crests comes from Milesius (Milidh) of Spain who chose three lions to adorn his shield after a journey to Africa in which Milesius had slain three lions in one morning. Thereafter, Milesius’ three sons Heremon (Eremhon), Ir, and Amhergin each received land in Ireland later to be conquered by the family during Solomon’s time (about 1000 B.C) -each son would bear a shield/banner with one lion but each with different colors.
Going even further back in history, Milesius himself can trace his own heritage to Adam in 36 generations. Milesius was a powerful king born in Brigantia, Corunna, Galicia, Spain and was the son of Bile, a Celtic king of Spain. A druid prophet had once told Milesius that he would rule Ireland, a prophecy that he tried ambitiously to bring to fruition in his time but ultimately failed. His sons, however, would eventually succeed when seeking vengeance for the death of their uncle by name Ithe whose dead body had been returned to Spain by the Tuatha de Daaan people of Ireland who despite having accepted the new royalty did not want to be concurred. Upon arrival back to Ireland seeking revenge, Eremhon, Amhergin, and Emher (son of Ir) completely defeated the Tuatha de Danaan and became the final inhabitants of the Ireland that we know today. However, during the long battle, Milesius' wife, Scota, would perish leaving Eremhon to divide the lands between the surviving sons and family members. Eremhon would give Ulster to Emher (son of Ir, grandson of Milidh), Munster to the four sons of EmhearFinn, Connacht to Un and Eadan, and Leinster to Crimhthann Sciathbhel of the Damnonians. Eremhon would go onto to slay Emher, Amhergin, Un, and Eadan. (From the Annals of the Four Masters, author uknown).
To discover a bit more of the ancient Irish history, the name Scotia that would later inspire the name for Scotland comes from the second wife of Milesius named Scota Tephi (princess of Egypt) who was betrothed to Milesius by the Pharoah Nectonibus who also betrothed another daughter to King Solomon around the same time. Upon the death of Milesius in Spain, Scota would travel to Ireland with her 8 sons where she would be laid to rest in Clahane Townland, Annagh Parish Troughanacmy Barony, County Kerry, Munster.
Milesius and Scota’s son King Ghedhe (Gede) the Heremon would reign Ireland from Scotland during the same time that King David reigned and would marry Tea Tephi daughter of Lughaidh (which in Gaelic means House of God). From this king, 114 brothers would descend; of which Aidan mac Gabrain, king of Dal Riata would be the father of Artur (Arturius) of the Camelot legend era some time in the 6th century. Tea would be the queen to make a request to Eremhon of a dowry of a dwelling of her choice to which every prince born of her race should dwell. But, that brings us to a whole other legendary story about the high kings of Ireland who were thought to be women in that time period!
