The IRVING of BONSHAW 1930-2021

[Richard R]

From the Telegraph of 2 March 2021: IRVING Robert Alec Snow, Captain RN (Retd), Arabic linguist, Clan Chief and Chief of the Name and Arms of Irving of Bonshaw, died peacefully at home on February 17th 2021. Beloved husband of Elisabeth, loved father of Rupert, Alexander and Mark, cherished grandfather of Lucy, Jamie, Ruaraidh, Fraser, Kitty, Edmund and Eliza, and fondly remembered father-in-law of Miranda and Dorothée.

He was s of Cdr George Robert Irving IRVING and was recognised by Lord Lyon as Chief of the name & arms of IRVING OF BONSHAW in 2014. He m 1956 Elisabeth Helen (b 1932) d of Hans Albrecht SCHUBART d 1968 and Betty Dorothea Wingfield (1904-84) d of Sir Edward Wingfield VERNER 5th Bt (1865-1936), and had three sons:

1 Rupert Christopher IRVING OF BONSHAW (b 1958) who has succ his father as Chief of that name. He m 1998 reg Q4 Berks Jane M MITCHELL (b c1967) and had issue:
1.1 Ruaraidh Alec IRVING OF BONSHAW YR b 1998 reg Q4 Berks
1.1 Fraser Robert b 2003 reg Q2 Oxford
1.1 Catherine (Kitty) Rose b 2004 reg Q4 Wilts

2. Aleander Paul IRVING (b 1961) m 1991 reg Q2 Avon Miranda H BECHER and had a son
2.1 Jamie Robert b 1997 reg Q3 Surrey
?2.1 Lucy

3. Mark Adrian IRVING (b 1965) m 2005 Dorothee VAN TENDELOO and had issue
?3.1 Edmund
?3.1 Eliza

[colinp]

Obit on the website of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs:-

Captain Robert Alec Snow Irving RN (Retd.), Clan Chief & Chief of the Name and Arms of Irving of Bonshaw – 1930-2021 | The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (clanchiefs.org.uk)

[bx...@yahoo.com]

Just out of curiosity,  does being the Clan Chief or the head of a Landed Gentry family descend as it would with a hereditary peerage, i.e. through the lines of the eldest males?

Thanks.

Brooke

[Richard R]

See The search for clan chiefs section of the Standing Council’s website, particularly the following paras:

Once genealogical evidence has been found to identify the person most directly descended from the last chief, application may be made to the Lord Lyon for confirmation that the chiefly Coat of Arms, enjoyed by the last chief, should be confirmed to such a person.

The Lord Lyon reviews the genealogical evidence and must be satisfied that the applicant’s descent is correctly proved. If the Lord Lyon is satisfied he recognises the applicant as chief of the clan and confirms him in the chiefly Arms.

https://www.clanchiefs.org.uk/the-search-for-clan-chiefs/

[bx...@yahoo.com]

Richard,  thanks for this.

However, what is meant by "most directly descended from the last chief?"  For instance, if the last chief has several sons, then shouldn't all of them be equally as descended?  Or, again, is it like with a hereditary peerage, ie., that in a case where there are several sons, it goes by order of birth?

Thanks.

Brooke