The name Urquhart is derived from the lands of Urquhart in Cromarty that lie on the north side of the Great Glen with the Castle Urquhart dominating the eastern end of Loch Ness. The Urquharts despite being only a minor clan were of great antiquity and were originally linked with the Clan Forbes. William Urqhuart of Cromartie was recorded as Sheriff of Cromarty at the beginning of the 14th century. He married a daughter of the Earl of Ross and their son Adam was granted the hereditary sheriffdom of Cromarty by David II in 1357. The family continued to prosper and the estates were greatly increased by further marriages with their powerful neighbours. Sir James Urquhart of Cromarty who married Helen, daughter of Lord Abernethy is alleged to have been the father of 11 daughters and 25 sons, seven of whom were killed at the Battle of Pinkie in 1547. His grandson, John of Craigfintry and Culbo was tutor to his grand-nephew, Sir Thomas and was thus named "Tutor of Cromartie" in the Roll of Landlords in 1587. Sir Thomas Urquhart (1582-1642) was a favorite of James VI sharing his love of learned pursuits. His son, Sir Thomas, also an intellectual was chief during the reigns of Charles I and II, supporting Charles I in the Civil war and fighting for Charles II at Worcester in 1651, where he was captured. He was imprisoned in the Tower of London from where in 1653 he published the first translation of Rabelais. He died in 1660 from a fatal stroke brought on, according to tradition, by a fit of laughter when he was informed of the Restoration of the King. The estates passed onto a cousin, John Urquhart of Craigston, who sold them to the Mackenzies, afterwards Earls of Cromarty. The line was kept alive by descendants of Sir Thomas' great-uncle John. One of these descendants, George Urquhart (1733-99), emigrated to Florida, while his son, David, later settled in New Orleans. Louisiana is still the home of the present chief, Kenneth Trist Urquhart of Urquhart.
