What is leslie clan?

The Leslie clan is a Scottish clan with roots in Aberdeenshire. The name "Leslie" is derived from the Gaelic word "lias", which means "garden of holly". The clan's origin story tells of a man named Bartholomew Leslie, who lived in the 12th century and was a follower of William the Lion. Bartholomew is said to have saved the king's life during a hunting trip, and as a reward, was given the lands of Leslie in Aberdeenshire.

The Leslies have a rich history, with notable figures including George Leslie, who fought alongside William Wallace in the Scottish Wars of Independence, and Alexander Leslie, who was a general in the Swedish army during the Thirty Years' War. In the 17th century, the clan supported the Covenanters in their fight against royal authority, and during the Jacobite Risings of 1715 and 1745, they were staunch supporters of the House of Stuart.

Today, the chief of the Leslie clan is the Honourable Alexander Leslie, who resides at Leslie Castle in Aberdeenshire. The clan has a strong presence in North America, where many Leslies relocated following the Highland Clearances. The Leslie tartan features green, red, and yellow stripes on a black background, and the clan motto is "Grip Fast".