Ruaidhri mac Raghnaill was a 13th-century Scottishmagnate. The son of Raghnall, son of Somerled, he appears to have spent his career fighting in both Ireland and in Scotland. It has been argued that he became hostile to both the Scottish and English crowns, fighting the Scottish crown in the MacWilliam revolts and dying against the English at the Battle of Ballyshannon in 1247.
Biography
Origins
Hugh MacDonald of Sleat's 17th-century History of the Macdonalds reported a tradition that Ruaidhri's father Raghnall was married to a daughter or sister of the early 14th-century hero Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray. Sellar suggests that his mother may have been a daughter of William fitz Duncan, on the basis that there is a possibility the tradition had confused a later and famous Earl of Moray with an earlier one.
His father Raghnall, carrying the legacy of his own father Somerled, was a powerful Argyll and Hebridean magnate who, depending on context, bore the titles "King of the Isles", "Lord of Argyll and Kintyre", and "lord of the Hebrides (Inchegal). His father's legacy was such that he became the ancestor figure of both the Clann Ruaidhri and the Clan Donald.
Mac Raghnaill is masculine surname in the Irish language. The name translates into English as "son of Raghnall". The surname originated as a patronym, however it no longer refers to the actual name of the bearer's father.
The name Raghnall is a Gaelic derivative of the Old Norsepersonal nameRøgnvaldr / Rǫgnvaldr / Rögnvaldr. Variant forms of the surname include Mac Rághnaill and Mac Raonaill. These three surnames can be Anglicised variously as: MacRannall, MacRanald, MacRandell, MacCrindle, MacReynold, MacReynolds, Randalson, Rondalson, Reynoldson, Rannals, Randals, Randles, Ranolds, and Reynolds. The Irish surnames are borne by numerous unrelated families; some are of Irish origin, others of Scottish origin, some are of English origin, and some may be of Norwegian and or Danish origin.
The form of these Irish surnames for unmarried females is Nic Raghnaill, Nic Rághnaill, and Nic Raonaill; these names mean "daughter of the son of Raghnall / Rághnall / Raonall". The form of these Irish surnames for married females is Bean Mhic Raghnaill, Bean Mhic Rághnaill, and Bean Mhic Raonaill, or simply Mhic Raghnaill, Mhic Rághnaill, and Mhic Raonaill; these names mean "wife of the son of Raghnall / Rághnall / Raonall".
Dubhghall mac Ruaidhrí (died 1268) was a leading figure in the thirteenth-century Kingdom of the Isles. He was a son of Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, and thus a member of Clann Ruaidhrí.
Dubhghall was active in Ireland, and is recorded to have conducted military operations against the English in Connacht. In 1259, the year after his victory over the English Sheriff of Connacht, Dubhghall's daughter was married to Aodh na nGall Ó Conchobhair, son of the reigning King of Connacht. This woman's tocher consisted of a host of gallowglass warriors commanded by Dubhghall's brother, Ailéan. This record appears to be the earliest notice of such soldiers in surviving sources. The epithet borne by Dubhghall's son-in-law—na nGall—can be taken to mean "of the Hebrideans", and appears to refer to the Hebridea...
published: 21 Mar 2022
Autumn Clann Ruaidhrí Castle Eilean Tioram Highlands Of Scotland
Tour Scotland Autumn travel video, with Scottish bagpipes music, of the Clann Ruaidhrí castle on Eilean Tioram Island on ancestry visit to the Scottish Highlands. Clann Ruaidhrí was a leading mediaeval family in the Hebrides and the western seaboard of Scotland] The eponymous ancestor of the family was Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, a principal member of Clann Somhairle in the thirteenth century. Members of Clann Ruaidhrí were factors in both the histories of the Kingdom of the Isles and the Kingdom of Scotland in the thirteenth- and fourteenth centuries. The family appears to have held power in Kintyre in the thirteenth century. By the fourteenth century, the family controlled an extensive provincial lordship stretching along north western Scottish coast and into the Hebrides. As a leading force...
published: 15 Oct 2019
Runrig - Siol Ghoraidh(Live - Day of Days)
From Runrig's Day of Days DVD
Lyrics:
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Ochd deug seisreach
Air raontainn Aird a' Mhorrain
Na fir a' treabhadh
An la a thainig na Sleitich
Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Dubh dath na fala
A dhoirt 'na tuil gu talamh
Saighead claidheamh
Tro chairdeas corp an Udail
Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
Clann mo theagh...
Dubhghall mac Ruaidhrí (died 1268) was a leading figure in the thirteenth-century Kingdom of the Isles. He was a son of Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, and thus a membe...
Dubhghall mac Ruaidhrí (died 1268) was a leading figure in the thirteenth-century Kingdom of the Isles. He was a son of Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, and thus a member of Clann Ruaidhrí.
Dubhghall was active in Ireland, and is recorded to have conducted military operations against the English in Connacht. In 1259, the year after his victory over the English Sheriff of Connacht, Dubhghall's daughter was married to Aodh na nGall Ó Conchobhair, son of the reigning King of Connacht. This woman's tocher consisted of a host of gallowglass warriors commanded by Dubhghall's brother, Ailéan. This record appears to be the earliest notice of such soldiers in surviving sources. The epithet borne by Dubhghall's son-in-law—na nGall—can be taken to mean "of the Hebrideans", and appears to refer to the Hebridean military support that contributed to his success against the English.
The careers of Dubhghall and his Clann Somhairle kinsman, Eóghan Mac Dubhghaill, exemplify the difficulties faced by the leading Norse-Gaelic lords in the Isles and along western seaboard of Scotland. In theory, these regions formed part of the greater Norwegian commonwealth. However, during the tenures of Dubhghall and Eóghan, successive thirteenth-century Scottish kings succeeded in extending their own authority into these Norse-Gaelic regions. Whilst Eóghan eventually submitted to the Scots, Dubhghall steadfastly supported the Norwegian cause. Recognised as a king by the reigning Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway, Dubhghall was one of the leading figures in the failed 1263 campaign against the Scots. Although Dubhghall is last recorded resisting the encroachment of Scottish overlordship, the Scots succeeded in wrenching control of the Isles from the Norwegians in 1266. Dubhghall may have died in exile in Norway, where his son, Eiríkr, was an active baron.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubhghall_mac_Ruaidhr%C3%AD
Created with WikipediaReaderReborn (c) WikipediaReader
Dubhghall mac Ruaidhrí (died 1268) was a leading figure in the thirteenth-century Kingdom of the Isles. He was a son of Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, and thus a member of Clann Ruaidhrí.
Dubhghall was active in Ireland, and is recorded to have conducted military operations against the English in Connacht. In 1259, the year after his victory over the English Sheriff of Connacht, Dubhghall's daughter was married to Aodh na nGall Ó Conchobhair, son of the reigning King of Connacht. This woman's tocher consisted of a host of gallowglass warriors commanded by Dubhghall's brother, Ailéan. This record appears to be the earliest notice of such soldiers in surviving sources. The epithet borne by Dubhghall's son-in-law—na nGall—can be taken to mean "of the Hebrideans", and appears to refer to the Hebridean military support that contributed to his success against the English.
The careers of Dubhghall and his Clann Somhairle kinsman, Eóghan Mac Dubhghaill, exemplify the difficulties faced by the leading Norse-Gaelic lords in the Isles and along western seaboard of Scotland. In theory, these regions formed part of the greater Norwegian commonwealth. However, during the tenures of Dubhghall and Eóghan, successive thirteenth-century Scottish kings succeeded in extending their own authority into these Norse-Gaelic regions. Whilst Eóghan eventually submitted to the Scots, Dubhghall steadfastly supported the Norwegian cause. Recognised as a king by the reigning Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway, Dubhghall was one of the leading figures in the failed 1263 campaign against the Scots. Although Dubhghall is last recorded resisting the encroachment of Scottish overlordship, the Scots succeeded in wrenching control of the Isles from the Norwegians in 1266. Dubhghall may have died in exile in Norway, where his son, Eiríkr, was an active baron.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubhghall_mac_Ruaidhr%C3%AD
Created with WikipediaReaderReborn (c) WikipediaReader
Tour Scotland Autumn travel video, with Scottish bagpipes music, of the Clann Ruaidhrí castle on Eilean Tioram Island on ancestry visit to the Scottish Highland...
Tour Scotland Autumn travel video, with Scottish bagpipes music, of the Clann Ruaidhrí castle on Eilean Tioram Island on ancestry visit to the Scottish Highlands. Clann Ruaidhrí was a leading mediaeval family in the Hebrides and the western seaboard of Scotland] The eponymous ancestor of the family was Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, a principal member of Clann Somhairle in the thirteenth century. Members of Clann Ruaidhrí were factors in both the histories of the Kingdom of the Isles and the Kingdom of Scotland in the thirteenth- and fourteenth centuries. The family appears to have held power in Kintyre in the thirteenth century. By the fourteenth century, the family controlled an extensive provincial lordship stretching along north western Scottish coast and into the Hebrides. As a leading force in the Kingdom of the Isles, the family fiercely opposed Scottish authority. With the collapse of Norwegian hegemony in the region, the family nimbly integrated itself into the Kingdom of Scotland. Ruaidhrí Mac Ruaidhrí, died 14 October 1318, was a fourteenth century Scottish magnate and chief of Clann Ruaidhrí. He was an illegitimate son of Ailéan mac Ruaidhrí. Ruaidhrí and he firmly aligned the family with Robert I, King of Scotland. After his death, Ruaidhrí's half sister, Cairistíona, attempted to transfer the Clann Ruaidhrí territories outwith the family. Ruaidhrí was survived by a daughter, Áine, and an illegitimate son, Raghnall. The latter fended off Cairistíona's actions and succeeded to the chiefship of Clann Ruaidhrí. Clann Ruaidhrí was a branch of Clann Somhairle sometimes anglicised as Clan Sorley, Ruaidhrí is an anglicization of the Irish: Ruairí, Ruaidhrí, Ruaidhrígh, Raidhrígh and Scottish Gaelic: Ruairidh, and is common to the Irish, Highland Scots and their diasporas. The meaning of the name is " red-haired king, " from ruadh, meaning red haired or rusty) and rígh meaning king.
Tour Scotland Autumn travel video, with Scottish bagpipes music, of the Clann Ruaidhrí castle on Eilean Tioram Island on ancestry visit to the Scottish Highlands. Clann Ruaidhrí was a leading mediaeval family in the Hebrides and the western seaboard of Scotland] The eponymous ancestor of the family was Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, a principal member of Clann Somhairle in the thirteenth century. Members of Clann Ruaidhrí were factors in both the histories of the Kingdom of the Isles and the Kingdom of Scotland in the thirteenth- and fourteenth centuries. The family appears to have held power in Kintyre in the thirteenth century. By the fourteenth century, the family controlled an extensive provincial lordship stretching along north western Scottish coast and into the Hebrides. As a leading force in the Kingdom of the Isles, the family fiercely opposed Scottish authority. With the collapse of Norwegian hegemony in the region, the family nimbly integrated itself into the Kingdom of Scotland. Ruaidhrí Mac Ruaidhrí, died 14 October 1318, was a fourteenth century Scottish magnate and chief of Clann Ruaidhrí. He was an illegitimate son of Ailéan mac Ruaidhrí. Ruaidhrí and he firmly aligned the family with Robert I, King of Scotland. After his death, Ruaidhrí's half sister, Cairistíona, attempted to transfer the Clann Ruaidhrí territories outwith the family. Ruaidhrí was survived by a daughter, Áine, and an illegitimate son, Raghnall. The latter fended off Cairistíona's actions and succeeded to the chiefship of Clann Ruaidhrí. Clann Ruaidhrí was a branch of Clann Somhairle sometimes anglicised as Clan Sorley, Ruaidhrí is an anglicization of the Irish: Ruairí, Ruaidhrí, Ruaidhrígh, Raidhrígh and Scottish Gaelic: Ruairidh, and is common to the Irish, Highland Scots and their diasporas. The meaning of the name is " red-haired king, " from ruadh, meaning red haired or rusty) and rígh meaning king.
From Runrig's Day of Days DVD
Lyrics:
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo ...
From Runrig's Day of Days DVD
Lyrics:
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Ochd deug seisreach
Air raontainn Aird a' Mhorrain
Na fir a' treabhadh
An la a thainig na Sleitich
Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Dubh dath na fala
A dhoirt 'na tuil gu talamh
Saighead claidheamh
Tro chairdeas corp an Udail
Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
English translation:
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
Eighteen teams of horses
On the field of Aird a Mhorrain
The young men were ploughing
On the day the Sleat people came
The geneology of Goraidh
The sons of Ruairi
The children of Ranald
The children of Donald
Generation to generation
Name to name
My time is now
To walk this corner of Uist
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
Black was the colour of the blood
That flowed like a flood to the land
The arrow, the long sword
Through the generosity of the Udal people
The geneology of Goraidh
The sons of Ruairi
The children of Ranald
The children of Donald
Generation to generation
Name to name
My time is now
To walk this corner of Uist
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
Generation to generation
Name to name
My time is now
To walk this corner of Uist
From Runrig's Day of Days DVD
Lyrics:
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Ochd deug seisreach
Air raontainn Aird a' Mhorrain
Na fir a' treabhadh
An la a thainig na Sleitich
Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Dubh dath na fala
A dhoirt 'na tuil gu talamh
Saighead claidheamh
Tro chairdeas corp an Udail
Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
English translation:
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
Eighteen teams of horses
On the field of Aird a Mhorrain
The young men were ploughing
On the day the Sleat people came
The geneology of Goraidh
The sons of Ruairi
The children of Ranald
The children of Donald
Generation to generation
Name to name
My time is now
To walk this corner of Uist
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
Black was the colour of the blood
That flowed like a flood to the land
The arrow, the long sword
Through the generosity of the Udal people
The geneology of Goraidh
The sons of Ruairi
The children of Ranald
The children of Donald
Generation to generation
Name to name
My time is now
To walk this corner of Uist
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
Generation to generation
Name to name
My time is now
To walk this corner of Uist
Dubhghall mac Ruaidhrí (died 1268) was a leading figure in the thirteenth-century Kingdom of the Isles. He was a son of Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, and thus a member of Clann Ruaidhrí.
Dubhghall was active in Ireland, and is recorded to have conducted military operations against the English in Connacht. In 1259, the year after his victory over the English Sheriff of Connacht, Dubhghall's daughter was married to Aodh na nGall Ó Conchobhair, son of the reigning King of Connacht. This woman's tocher consisted of a host of gallowglass warriors commanded by Dubhghall's brother, Ailéan. This record appears to be the earliest notice of such soldiers in surviving sources. The epithet borne by Dubhghall's son-in-law—na nGall—can be taken to mean "of the Hebrideans", and appears to refer to the Hebridean military support that contributed to his success against the English.
The careers of Dubhghall and his Clann Somhairle kinsman, Eóghan Mac Dubhghaill, exemplify the difficulties faced by the leading Norse-Gaelic lords in the Isles and along western seaboard of Scotland. In theory, these regions formed part of the greater Norwegian commonwealth. However, during the tenures of Dubhghall and Eóghan, successive thirteenth-century Scottish kings succeeded in extending their own authority into these Norse-Gaelic regions. Whilst Eóghan eventually submitted to the Scots, Dubhghall steadfastly supported the Norwegian cause. Recognised as a king by the reigning Hákon Hákonarson, King of Norway, Dubhghall was one of the leading figures in the failed 1263 campaign against the Scots. Although Dubhghall is last recorded resisting the encroachment of Scottish overlordship, the Scots succeeded in wrenching control of the Isles from the Norwegians in 1266. Dubhghall may have died in exile in Norway, where his son, Eiríkr, was an active baron.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubhghall_mac_Ruaidhr%C3%AD
Created with WikipediaReaderReborn (c) WikipediaReader
Tour Scotland Autumn travel video, with Scottish bagpipes music, of the Clann Ruaidhrí castle on Eilean Tioram Island on ancestry visit to the Scottish Highlands. Clann Ruaidhrí was a leading mediaeval family in the Hebrides and the western seaboard of Scotland] The eponymous ancestor of the family was Ruaidhrí mac Raghnaill, a principal member of Clann Somhairle in the thirteenth century. Members of Clann Ruaidhrí were factors in both the histories of the Kingdom of the Isles and the Kingdom of Scotland in the thirteenth- and fourteenth centuries. The family appears to have held power in Kintyre in the thirteenth century. By the fourteenth century, the family controlled an extensive provincial lordship stretching along north western Scottish coast and into the Hebrides. As a leading force in the Kingdom of the Isles, the family fiercely opposed Scottish authority. With the collapse of Norwegian hegemony in the region, the family nimbly integrated itself into the Kingdom of Scotland. Ruaidhrí Mac Ruaidhrí, died 14 October 1318, was a fourteenth century Scottish magnate and chief of Clann Ruaidhrí. He was an illegitimate son of Ailéan mac Ruaidhrí. Ruaidhrí and he firmly aligned the family with Robert I, King of Scotland. After his death, Ruaidhrí's half sister, Cairistíona, attempted to transfer the Clann Ruaidhrí territories outwith the family. Ruaidhrí was survived by a daughter, Áine, and an illegitimate son, Raghnall. The latter fended off Cairistíona's actions and succeeded to the chiefship of Clann Ruaidhrí. Clann Ruaidhrí was a branch of Clann Somhairle sometimes anglicised as Clan Sorley, Ruaidhrí is an anglicization of the Irish: Ruairí, Ruaidhrí, Ruaidhrígh, Raidhrígh and Scottish Gaelic: Ruairidh, and is common to the Irish, Highland Scots and their diasporas. The meaning of the name is " red-haired king, " from ruadh, meaning red haired or rusty) and rígh meaning king.
From Runrig's Day of Days DVD
Lyrics:
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Ochd deug seisreach
Air raontainn Aird a' Mhorrain
Na fir a' treabhadh
An la a thainig na Sleitich
Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Dubh dath na fala
A dhoirt 'na tuil gu talamh
Saighead claidheamh
Tro chairdeas corp an Udail
Siol Ghoraidh
Mac Ruairidh
Clann Raghnaill
Clann Dhomhaill
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich
Clann mo theaghlaich fhein
Linn gu linn
Ainm gu ainm
Air an sgiath seo dh 'Uibhist
'S mi beo an drasd
English translation:
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
Eighteen teams of horses
On the field of Aird a Mhorrain
The young men were ploughing
On the day the Sleat people came
The geneology of Goraidh
The sons of Ruairi
The children of Ranald
The children of Donald
Generation to generation
Name to name
My time is now
To walk this corner of Uist
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
Black was the colour of the blood
That flowed like a flood to the land
The arrow, the long sword
Through the generosity of the Udal people
The geneology of Goraidh
The sons of Ruairi
The children of Ranald
The children of Donald
Generation to generation
Name to name
My time is now
To walk this corner of Uist
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
The children of my family
The children of my family
The children of my own family
Generation to generation
Name to name
My time is now
To walk this corner of Uist
Ruaidhri mac Raghnaill was a 13th-century Scottishmagnate. The son of Raghnall, son of Somerled, he appears to have spent his career fighting in both Ireland and in Scotland. It has been argued that he became hostile to both the Scottish and English crowns, fighting the Scottish crown in the MacWilliam revolts and dying against the English at the Battle of Ballyshannon in 1247.
Biography
Origins
Hugh MacDonald of Sleat's 17th-century History of the Macdonalds reported a tradition that Ruaidhri's father Raghnall was married to a daughter or sister of the early 14th-century hero Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray. Sellar suggests that his mother may have been a daughter of William fitz Duncan, on the basis that there is a possibility the tradition had confused a later and famous Earl of Moray with an earlier one.
His father Raghnall, carrying the legacy of his own father Somerled, was a powerful Argyll and Hebridean magnate who, depending on context, bore the titles "King of the Isles", "Lord of Argyll and Kintyre", and "lord of the Hebrides (Inchegal). His father's legacy was such that he became the ancestor figure of both the Clann Ruaidhri and the Clan Donald.