Kennedys of Kermuck: Rise, Ruin & Remarkable Legacy

Have you ever come across a family name that carries centuries of stories, triumphs, and tragedies all at once? The Kennedys of Kermuck are one of those unforgettable names in Scottish history. They weren’t just another branch of a Highland clan — they were hereditary Constables of Aberdeen, influential landholders, and key figures in Aberdeenshire’s story from the 15th to the 17th centuries.

But what makes the Kennedy of Kermuck family fascinating is how their history spiralled dramatically: from power and prestige to exile, outlawry, and migration across the seas. And yet, even after their downfall in 1652, their descendants went on to leave remarkable legacies, stretching from Kermuck Castle in Scotland to the icy waters of the Arctic through the exploits of Captain William Kennedy.

So, who exactly were the Scottish Kennedys of Kermuck, and why does their name still matter today? Let’s dive into their story.

The tale of the Kennedys of Kermuck history begins with Thomas Kynidy, who in 1413 was recorded as the Constable of Aberdeen. His appointment wasn’t coincidental. The title of Constable of Aberdeen was likely bestowed by the Duke of Albany, acting on behalf of King James I of Scotland, as a reward for loyal service against the threats posed by the Lord of the Isles.

This hereditary role elevated the Kennedys into prominence, placing them at the heart of Aberdeenshire clans and families. Over time, their estates expanded around Kermuck, with holdings such as Knockothy, Clayhills, Kirkhill, and Boroughley. For over two centuries, the Kennedy clan Kermuck branch upheld this office and played a significant role in the governance of northern Scotland.

If you trace the Kennedys of Kermuck genealogy, you’ll notice their name didn’t always look the way it does today. Early scribes recorded them as Kynidy, Kympty, or Kemptie before the name stabilized into Kennedy. These changes weren’t unusual — spelling often shifted depending on who was keeping the records and in which period.

But regardless of spelling, their identity as the Kennedy of Kermuck ancestors remained consistent: a proud branch of Scottish Highland clans, loyal to Aberdeen, and tied to the broader history of Clan Kennedy .

For generations, the Kermuck Castle Kennedys maintained their role as hereditary constables. Figures like Thomas Kynnedy (recorded around 1450), Duncan Kympty, and William Kympty (d. 1505) appear in Aberdeen charters and court records. Their successors, John and James Kennedy, carried on the office well into the 1600s.

John Kennedy, born in 1600, inherited the title of the Laird of Kermuck. His wealth was considerable: he owned multiple estates, donated a silver communion cup to Ellon Church in 1634, and even took part in the General Assembly of the Kirk in Glasgow in 1638. Clearly, the Scottish Kennedys of Kermuck were more than local landholders; they were actively shaping the religious and political conversations of their time.

Yet, history has a way of turning fortunes upside down. In 1652, the Kennedys of Kermuck became embroiled in a dispute with the Forbes family of Watertown. At the center of the quarrel? A simple drainage ditch. The Kennedys wanted to cut through the marshland to drain it, but the ditch crossed a public road. The Forbes and other neighbors protested.

Tensions escalated, leading to violence. John Kennedy of Kermuck, along with his son, clashed with John Forbes of Watertown. The result was tragic: Forbes was fatally wounded.

Summoned to appear in court in Edinburgh, the Kennedys failed to comply. They were declared outlaws — a devastating blow. Under normal circumstances, their lands and titles would have been confiscated. Yet, curiously, they managed to avoid imprisonment and retained enough leverage to sell their properties through an intermediary to John Forbes (the son of the slain man) for 42,500 Scots pounds.

This moment marked the collapse of the Kennedys of Kermuck history in Aberdeenshire. Their stronghold at Ardgith and Kermuck Castle Kennedy was lost, and their wives held on only briefly before leaving in 1657.

After their outlawry, the Kennedy clan Aberdeenshire branch fled north. They first sought refuge on Stroma, a windswept island in the Pentland Firth, before eventually resettling in Orkney. This migration turned them from landholding nobility into part of the wider Scottish diaspora, carrying their name to new communities far from Aberdeen.

From Orkney, some of their descendants ventured even further — across the Atlantic — joining the Hudson’s Bay Company in Canada. Their story shows how a once-powerful Scottish Kennedy family heritage adapted to exile and still managed to leave a mark on history.

The story of the Kennedys of Kermuck is more than a chapter in a dusty genealogy book. It’s a living reminder of how Scottish clans and families shaped their communities, faced trials, and carved out new lives in distant lands. From Kermuck Castle Kennedy to the Hudson’s Bay, from the courts of Aberdeen to the icy Arctic, the Kennedy clan Kermuck branch left footprints that stretch across centuries.

So next time you hear the name Kennedy, remember that it doesn’t just belong to a famous political dynasty. In the north of Scotland, the Kennedys of Kermuck carried their torch of courage, legacy, and survival.