Fionnghuala of Moray, Lady of the Isles

She is not attested in historical records, but there is an old tradition that she was Fionnghuala ('Fiona') and that her father was Mormaer of Moray. She is sometimes said, anachronistically, to have been a daughter of Ranulph, Earl of Moray. She might instead have been the daughter or sister of Donald mac William (Domhnall mac Uilleam), who claimed Moray.

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#_Toc359672006

Cawley provides evidence she and husband Ranald Somerled REGINALD, son of SOMERLED Lord of Argyll, had 3 children.

m FONIE, daughter of ---. "Reginaldus filius Sumerled dominus de Inchegal…et uxor mea Fonie".

Reginald & his wife had [three] children.[1]

1. Donald, succeeded his father as Lord of Isles
2. Ruairi
3. daughter d. before 1209, evidence is unclear

   ---

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormaer_of_Moray

History of Moray Before 1130: Dynasty of Findláech to Óengus

In the century or two before 1130 the name Moray described a polity, far larger than the later county or district of the same name, which at its largest extended from Drumochter in the south to the Scandinavian held lands of Caithness and Sutherland in the north. Moray would also eventually cover from Buchan in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west.[1]

Njal's Saga, a Saga of the Icelanders mentions Mormaers and Kings in northern Scotland from the later 10th century, namely Jarl Melsnatr (Máel Snechtai) and King Melkofr (Máel Coluim) of "Scotland." Both date from the period 976 to 995.[2] However no king named Máel Coluim reigned in Scotland in this period. Njal's Saga was written as a historical guide for details outside Iceland or Scandinavia and the text is notoriously unreliable.

Moray was ruled by a Gaelic-speaking dynasty, the most notable perhaps being King Macbeth of Scotland, who ruled from 1040 to 1057. These rulers were sometimes styled Ri meaning king or mormaer meaning great steward.[1]

Irish annals record the killing of Findláech, son of Ruaidri, 'mormaer of Moray', in 1020 by the sons of his brother, Mael Brigte. Both Findlaech and Mael Coluim are styled 'king of Alba' rather than 'of Moray' in one Obit but this may be an error or exaggeration.[1] Mael Coluim's brother and successor, Gillie Coemgáin is recorded as Mormaer of Moray.[3] The death of Mael Coluim, son of Mael Brigte, is recorded in 1029 and, in 1032 that of his brother Gilla Comgain, killed along with 50 of his men.[1]

Gilla Comgain's successor and probably also his killer, was his cousin Macbeth (Mac Bethad mac Findlaig). Macbeth married Gilla Comgain's widow Gruoch, a princess of the mac Alpin dynasty, and became king of Scots in 1040, after defeating and killing Duncan I of Scotland (Donnchad ua Mail Choluim) in battle. Later sources suggest that MacBeth had a claim to the Scottish throne through his mother, but his Gaelic pedigree, on record only two generations after his death, traces his descent through his father Findlaech, and grandfather Ruaidri, from the house of Loarn, Kings of Dál Riata.[1]

The pedigree of Macbeth from the Loarn kings of Dál Riata offers a clue to the origins of his dynasty in Moray. Moray may have been a separate kingdom for a time, independent of the dynasty of Kenneth mac Alpin. However it seems likely that rulers of Moray were subject loosely to the Kings of Alba. Moray acted as a buffer against further Scandinavian penetration from the north, and its rulers were remembered with respect in Scandinavian sources such as Orkneyinga Saga.[1]

Macbeth himself was in turn killed and defeated in 1057. After which, his stepson Lulach, son of Gilla Comgain, and presumably also of Grouch, claimed the Scottish throne briefly before being himself killed in 1058. Lulach's son, Mael Snechtai, died in 1085 as 'king of Moray'. Later, an Earl named Aed or 'Heth' who witnesses royal charters early in the next century may also have been based in Moray. The last ruling member of the dynasty, styled 'king' or 'earl' of Moray, was Óengus (Angus) son of the daughter of Lulach. Óengus (Angus) challenged David I of Scotland in battle, but was defeated and killed at Stracathro in Angus, in 1130 and thus the Kingdom of Moray was destroyed by David I of Scotland.[1]

With the death of Angus brought the rapid feudalization of Moray under Flemming Freskin, who was of Flemish and Norman descent and his descendants who adopted the significant designation 'de Moravia', which means 'of Moray'. (The de Moravia family would later become Earls of Sutherland in the 13th century). Claims that William fitz Duncan became the last Mormaer of Moray cannot be substantiated and his claim for the Scottish throne proved unsuccessful. Malcolm MacHeth, who rebelled against David I, but was later made Earl of Ross may have been related to the old rulers of Moray, as may also have been the mysterious Wimund. Later MacHeth claimants to Moray were unsuccessful.[1]

Fonia Of Moray. Spouse: King Reignald Somerledsson. King Reignald Somerledsson and Fonia Of Moray were married. Children were: Ruaidhri Reignaldson Of Garmoran.

See "My Lines"

( http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cousin/html/p57.htm#i6977 )

from Compiler: R. B. Stewart, Evans, GA

( http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cousin/html/index.htm )

History of Moray Before 1130: Dynasty of Findláech to Óengus

In the century or two before 1130 the name Moray described a polity, far larger than the later county or district of the same name, which at its largest extended from Drumochter in the south to the Scandinavian held lands of Caithness and Sutherland in the north. Moray would also eventually cover from Buchan in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in the west.[1]

Njal's Saga, a Saga of the Icelanders mentions Mormaers and Kings in northern Scotland from the later 10th century, namely Jarl Melsnatr (Máel Snechtai) and King Melkofr (Máel Coluim) of "Scotland." Both date from the period 976 to 995.[2] However no king named Máel Coluim reigned in Scotland in this period. Njal's Saga was written as a historical guide for details outside Iceland or Scandinavia and the text is notoriously unreliable.

Moray was ruled by a Gaelic-speaking dynasty, the most notable perhaps being King Macbeth of Scotland, who ruled from 1040 to 1057. These rulers were sometimes styled Ri meaning king or mormaer meaning great steward.[1]

Irish annals record the killing of Findláech, son of Ruaidri, 'mormaer of Moray', in 1020 by the sons of his brother, Mael Brigte. Both Findlaech and Mael Coluim are styled 'king of Alba' rather than 'of Moray' in one Obit but this may be an error or exaggeration.[1] Mael Coluim's brother and successor, Gillie Coemgáin is recorded as Mormaer of Moray.[3] The death of Mael Coluim, son of Mael Brigte, is recorded in 1029 and, in 1032 that of his brother Gilla Comgain, killed along with 50 of his men.[1]

Gilla Comgain's successor and probably also his killer, was his cousin Macbeth (Mac Bethad mac Findlaig). Macbeth married Gilla Comgain's widow Gruoch, a princess of the mac Alpin dynasty, and became king of Scots in 1040, after defeating and killing Duncan I of Scotland (Donnchad ua Mail Choluim) in battle. Later sources suggest that MacBeth had a claim to the Scottish throne through his mother, but his Gaelic pedigree, on record only two generations after his death, traces his descent through his father Findlaech, and grandfather Ruaidri, from the house of Loarn, Kings of Dál Riata.[1]

The pedigree of Macbeth from the Loarn kings of Dál Riata offers a clue to the origins of his dynasty in Moray. Moray may have been a separate kingdom for a time, independent of the dynasty of Kenneth mac Alpin. However it seems likely that rulers of Moray were subject loosely to the Kings of Alba. Moray acted as a buffer against further Scandinavian penetration from the north, and its rulers were remembered with respect in Scandinavian sources such as Orkneyinga Saga.[1]

Macbeth himself was in turn killed and defeated in 1057. After which, his stepson Lulach, son of Gilla Comgain, and presumably also of Grouch, claimed the Scottish throne briefly before being himself killed in 1058. Lulach's son, Mael Snechtai, died in 1085 as 'king of Moray'. Later, an Earl named Aed or 'Heth' who witnesses royal charters early in the next century may also have been based in Moray. The last ruling member of the dynasty, styled 'king' or 'earl' of Moray, was Óengus (Angus) son of the daughter of Lulach. Óengus (Angus) challenged David I of Scotland in battle, but was defeated and killed at Stracathro in Angus, in 1130 and thus the Kingdom of Moray was destroyed by David I of Scotland.[1]

With the death of Angus brought the rapid feudalization of Moray under Flemming Freskin, who was of Flemish and Norman descent and his descendants who adopted the significant designation 'de Moravia', which means 'of Moray'. (The de Moravia family would later become Earls of Sutherland in the 13th century). Claims that William fitz Duncan became the last Mormaer of Moray cannot be substantiated and his claim for the Scottish throne proved unsuccessful. Malcolm MacHeth, who rebelled against David I, but was later made Earl of Ross may have been related to the old rulers of Moray, as may also have been the mysterious Wimund. Later MacHeth claimants to Moray were unsuccessful.[1]

Fonia Of Moray. Spouse: King Reignald Somerledsson. King Reignald Somerledsson and Fonia Of Moray were married. Children were: Ruaidhri Reignaldson Of Garmoran.

See "My Lines"

( http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cousin/html/p57.htm#i6977 )

from Compiler: R. B. Stewart, Evans, GA

( http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cousin/html/index.htm )

~History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles, p. 34, given as wife of Reginald, and sister of Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray. 886

From http://cybergata.com/roots/3010.htm

Fonia married Reginald mac Somerled Lord of the Isles, son of Somerled mac Gillebride Lord of Argyle and Effirca Daughter of Olave the Red. 886 (Reginald mac Somerled Lord of the Isles was born about 1148 in Morven, Argyleshire, Scotland and died about 1207.)

From http://www.celtic-casimir.com/webtree/7/25032.htm

Fiona married Rognvald (Reginald, Randal) SUMARLIDASSON Lord of the Isles, son of Somerled MAC GILLEBRIDE 1st Lord of the Isles and Ragnhild (Ragnhildis) ÓLAFSDÓTTIR, about 1185. (Rognvald (Reginald, Randal) SUMARLIDASSON Lord of the Isles was born about 1148 in Morven, Argyleshire, Scotland and died in 1207 in Kintyre, Argyleshire, Scotland.)

REGINALD, son of SOMERLED Lord of Argyll & his wife --- of Man (-after 1192). The Chronicon Manniæ et Insularum names “Dulgallum, Reginaldum, Engus et Olavum” as the four sons of “Sumerledo regulo Herergaildel” and his wife the daughter of Olav King of Man[1355]. Balfour Paul states that Reginald inherited "Kintyre and Isla" but drove his brother Angus out of Bute and Arran, but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1356]. Lord of the Isles. "Reginaldus filius Sumerled dominus de Inchegal…et uxor mea Fonie" donated cows and other revenue to Paisley monastery by undated charter[1357]. Balfour Paul dates this charter to [1180], although he does not state the basis for this speculation[1358]. The Chronicon Manniæ et Insularum records that Engus, son of Somerled, defeated his brother Reginald in 1192[1359]. The Book of Clanranald records the death of Reginald in 1207[1360]. m FONIE, daughter of ---. "Reginaldus filius Sumerled dominus de Inchegal…et uxor mea Fonie" donated cows and other revenue to Paisley monastery by undated charter[1361]. Reginald & his wife had [three] children:

• 1. DONALD (-Island of Kerrara 1249, bur Iona). He succeeded his father as Lord of the Isles. "Douenaldus filius Reginaldi filii Sumerled…et uxor mea" confirmed his father’s donation of cows and other revenue to Paisley monastery by undated charter[1362]. The Annals of Ulster record that "the sons of Raghnall, son of Somurlech” fought "the men of Sciadh" [Skye] in 1209 "wherein slaughter was inflicted on them"[1363]. The Chronicle of John of Fordun records that King Alexander II led an army into Argyll, dated to 1221 from the context, and subdued the land[1364]. Balfour Paul states that Donald died "in the island of Kerrara in 1349" and was buried "in Iona", but he does not cite the corresponding primary source[1365]. m --- Stewart, daughter of WALTER FitzAlan Stewart High Steward of Scotland & his wife ---. Balfour Paul states that Donald married "a daughter of Walter High Steward of Scotland", but he does not cite the corresponding primary source[1366]. Donald & his wife had [three] children:
  

• a) ANGUS Macdonald (-[1296]). He succeeded his father as Lord of the Isles. A charter dated 1292 records safe conduct granted to "Anegus filius Dovenaldi et Alexander filius eius"[1367]. "Angus filius Douenaldi" donated revenue to Paisley monastery by undated charter, witnessed by "Alexandro fratre meo…"[1368]. Balfour Paul says that the Lord of the Isles became the vassal of the Scottish king under the terms of the treaty with Magnus IV King of Norway in 1266[1369]. m --- Campbell, daughter of COLIN Campbell of Lochow & his wife ---. Balfour Paul says that Angus married "a daughter of Sir Colin Campbell of Lochow" but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1370]. Angus & his wife had three children:
  

• i) ALEXANDER Macdonald (-after 1308). A charter dated 1292 records safe conduct granted to "Anegus filius Dovenaldi et Alexander filius eius"[1371]. He succeeded his father as Lord of the Isles. He opposed Robert Bruce and was appointed Admiral of the Western Isles under the English crown[1372]. A charter dated [Jun 1297] records the crimes committed by "Alexandrum de Ergadia" against the English, signed by "Julianæ sponsæ nostræ"[1373]. m JULIANA, daughter of --- (-after [Jun 1297]). A charter dated [Jun 1297] records the crimes committed by "Alexandrum de Ergadia" against the English, signed by "Julianæ sponsæ nostræ"[1374]. Balfour Paul says that Alexander married "Juliana of Lorn, and by her had six sons John Dubh, Reginald, Somerled, Angus, Godfrey and Charles", adding that "these sons found their way to Ireland where they left numerous descendants", but does not cite the corresponding primary sources[1375].
  
• ii) ANGUS Macdonald (-Finlaggan Castle, Isla 1330). He succeeded his brother as Lord of the Isles.
  
• iii) JOHN Macdonald . Balfour Paul names "John known as Iain Sprangach" as the third son of Angus and his wife, adding that he was the ancestor of "the Macdonalds of Ardmamurchan", but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1376].
  

• b) ALEXANDER Macdonald . "Angus filius Douenaldi" donated revenue to Paisley monastery by undated charter, witnessed by "Alexandro fratre meo…"[1377. Balfour Paul says that Alexander was known as "Alastair Mor" and was ancestor of "the Alexanders of Menstrie, Earls of Sterling, and the Alexanders, Earls of Caledon, the MacAlisters of Loup, with their cadet families of Strathaird, Glenbarr and Torrisdal", but he does not cite the corresponding primary sources[1378].
  
• c) MURCHAID Macdonald .
  

2. RUAIRI . Balfour Paul states that "Roderick" inherited "North Kintyre, Bute and the lands of Garmoran, extending from Ardnamurchan to Gleneig", previously the possessions of his paternal uncle Angus, but does not cite the corresponding primary source[1379]. The Annals of Ulster record that "the sons of Raghnall, son of Somurlech” fought "the men of Sciadh" [Skye] in 1209 "wherein slaughter was inflicted on them"[1380]. m ---. The name of Ruairi’s wife is not known. Ruairi & his wife had two children:

• a) DUGALD (-1268). The Saga of Eirspennill’s Hakon Hakon’s son records that "John, Duncan’s son, and Dugald, Ruadri’s son" met Alexander II King of Scotland in 1248 and "endeavoured…that the king should give them the title of king over the northern part of the Hebrides"[1381]. The Saga of Eirspennill’s Hakon Hakon’s son names "king Dugald, Alan Dugald’s brother, Angus and Murchaid" among those who met Haakon IV King of Norway when he invaded in 1263, adding in a later passage that the king gave "to [Dugald] the dominion that king John had had"[1382]. The Icelandic Annals record the death in 1268 of "Dubgallus rex Hebudum"[1383]. m ---. The name of Dugald’s wife is not known. Dugald & his wife had one child:
  

• i) ERIK .
  

• b) ALAN (-after 1263). The Saga of Eirspennill’s Hakon Hakon’s son names "king Dugald, Alan Dugald’s brother, Angus and Murchaid" among those who met Haakon IV King of Norway when he invaded in 1263[1384]. m ---. The name of Alan’s wife is not known. Alan & his wife had three children:
  

• i) CHRISTIANA . Robert I King of Scotland confirmed land "de Knodworache" to "Roderico filio Alani" by charter dated to [1320], which names "Cristina de Mar filia quondam Alani filii Roderici"[1385]. m DUNCAN of Mar son of ---.
  
• ii) RUAIRI . Robert I King of Scotland confirmed land "de Knodworache" to "Roderico filio Alani" by charter dated to [1320], which names "Cristina de Mar filia quondam Alani filii Roderici"[1386].
  
• iii) LACHLAN .
  

• 3. [[NN (Helen?) ---] (-before 1209). Balfour Paul says that Alan Lord of Galloway married first "a lady unknown, said to be a daughter of Reginald Lord of the Isles by whom he had two daughters"[1387]. He cites Chalmers’s Caledonia, but that says only that “the name of the first [wife] is unknown” without providing any indication of her family origin[1388]. Balfour Paul repeats his suggestion under the Lords of the Isles where he notes a daughter of Reginald Lord of the Isles "said to have married Alan of Galloway", without citing any source[1389]. There is no indication of the basis for Balfour Paul’s statements and no primary source which confirms this person’s parentage and marriage has been identified. Her existence should presumably be treated with caution until some such source emerges. If she did marry Alan, she was not the mother of his daughter Ellen. She was either married before his marriage to “--- de Lacy” or before he married Margaret of Huntingdon: she is shown here, for presentational purposes only, as Alan’s possible second wife. m as his [second] wife, ALAN Lord of Galloway, son of ROLAND Lord of Galloway & his wife Helen de Moreville (-[2] Feb 1234, bur Dundraynan).]
  

http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/SCOTTISH%20NOBILITY.htm#Reginaldson...