History
Cadet Branches of the Family
The Graham family has descended from father to son over the centuries for 30 generations. During the course of time the family left many cadet branches. These are from the younger sons rather than the direct line. The daughters had the right to the family Arms through the septs of the Clan, or her married name. The sons would have another course to take since they retained the surname. The father would have one son go into the church and have him become a bishop. He would be called Bishop of (his area of jurisdiction). The other sons would be given lands that the father obtained from the king or an earl. The name of the cadet would come from the name of the lands. One case could be the Barony of Inchbrakie or the Grahams of Inchbrakie.
MONTROSE - direct line of the Graham family from 1125 starting with William de Graham.
Graham Cadets
FINTRY & CLAVRHOUSE - Lands of Fintry in Stirlingshire and some in Angus Sir Robert, eldest son of the 2nd marriage of Sir William 1407 and princess Mary.
GARVOCK & BALGOWAN - Granted the lands of Garvock from Jamess III in 1473 to the above Sir William and Princess Mary. Later, they were given to the 2nd son, William.
MENTEITH - James I took the Earldom of Strathearn and created the Earldom of Menteith. This was given to Malise, son of Patrick & Euphemia about 1407.
INCHBRAKIE - Barony of Inchbrakie and Aberuthven in 1513. Patrick 2nd son of the 1st Earl of Montrose
GRAHAMS on the BORDERS - 1243 the orgin of this part of the family may have several starting points. {Netherby, Norton-Conyers and Esbank. they believe themselves to be of the Menteith branch.)
Each of the other cadets has smaller branches from their origins, with the name coming from the lands where they lived.
Septs via the Daughters
The great Scottish Clans contain families who bore a different surname but were descended from the Chief through the female line. They are called SEPTS. Therefore, anybody who has an ancestor bearing a SEPT name or the
Clan name itself has the privilege of wearing or displaying the crest badge and indeed only they may legitimately wear this authentic Scottish Ancient Device.