Draft:Clan Irving

Clan Irving of Bonshaw is a Lowlands Scottish clan headed by Clan Chief, Rupert Christopher Irving of Bonshaw who is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.

There is little if any historical evidence to suggest that the Border Irvings of Bonshaw are related to the Irvines of Drum. The Court of The Lord Lyon states that ''“ ... there are two distinct families, Irving of Bonshaw and Irvine of Drum.”''

Origins
Clan Irving is associated with Dumfriesshire and the Scottish/English border region. Historically, the Border Reivers were raiders along the Anglo–Scottish border from the late 13th century to the end of the 16th century. The early English word ‘reive’ translates to ‘rob’ or thieve, though this was a practice necessary for survival in desperate unsettled times. More often than not the Border Reivers (also referred to as The Steel Bonnets were the first line of defence against invasion from the other side of the border.

16th Century
During the 16th century, the Irvings of Bonshaw played a prominent part in Border warfare and in national politics under the chiefship of Edward Irving of Bonshaw (1555-1605).

17th Century
During the Civil War (Scotland in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms) in the middle of the 17th century, the Irvings supported the Royalists and anti-Presbyterians.

Between 1672 and 1677, William Irving of Bonshaw registered the ancient armorial achievement of Irving of Bonshaw, these being: ''“… bears argent three hollin leaves proper above the shield ane helmet befitting his degree mantled vert doubled argent next is placed ane torse for his crest ane arm gauntleted holding ane branch of hollin consisting of seven leaves all proper. The motto is ane scroll Haud Ullis Labentia Ventis”.''

18th Century
In 1732 John Irving, younger of Bonshaw, was appointed Collector of Land Tax for Dumfriesshire and become a Commissioner for Supply in 1741. It was his son, William, who built the new mansion which now forms the main living area on the Bonshaw estate 1770. He died 2 years later leaving a son, John Robert aged just 6.

John Robert was to leave the estate in decline thanks to a profligate life. Upon his death in 1839, he left two daughters, from one the Winter-Irvings (Australia) are descended. Future generations further diminished the estate leaving it heavily mortgaged and in debt.

19th Century
Colonel J.B. Irving (1844-1925) inherited the Tower & House and what was left of the estate as lawful heir of succession. He was succeeded by his youngest and surviving son, Captain Sir R.B. Irving (1877-1954), KB, OBE, RD, DL, who had a long and distinguished career at sea, fought at the Battle of Jutland and commanded the ‘Queen Mary’ in 1936. He was granted a knighthood in 1943 and retired in 1944.

He died without issue, and his successor was his nephew, Commander G. R. I. Irving RN (1895-1970). Thereafter the Bonshaw estate was sold first to an Australian descendent of the Irving Clan, and then to an Irving from a cadet line within the Irvings of Gribton and Dumfries, a branch of the Clan.

The modern Irvings
Whilst the Bonshaw Estate was sold, the original line of the Irvings of Bonshaw passed to Captain R.A.S. Irving RN (1930-2021) who fought in the Korean War, commanded a shore base in the UK and warships in the Persian Gulf and West Indies, Naval Attaché British Embassy in Cairo.

More recently his position as Clan Chief and Chief of the Name & Arms of Irving of Bonshaw Clan Chief was ultimately confirmed by The Court of the Lord Lyon on 8th November 2013. Today the title of Clan Chief and Chief of the Name & Arms of Irving of Bonshaw is held by his son and successor, Rupert C Irving.