A ubiquitous family across Scotland, there are three origins of the Henderson name from opposite ends of the Kingdom.
Firstly, there are the Hendersons of the Borders – the name of which is believed to simply be derived from the phrase ‘sons of Henry’. Although not a significant power in the borders, they were classed as a riding clan and were part of the famous Border Reivers who launched raids into England before the 17th century. Descended from this family was James Henderson who became Lord Advocate in 1494 and was given lands in Fordell in Fife where he erected a fine mansion. The family would leave their home there in the 19th century and many fine portraits from the house are now located in the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland.
Secondly, there are the Hendersons of Glencoe who claim to be descended from Eanruig Mor Mac Righ Neachtain a legendary Pictiish Prince who is said to have reigned from 700 to 724 and founded the village of Abernethy – once the Pictish capital.
Finally, in the far north, there are a group of Hendersons descended from Hendry, a younger son of a fifteenth-century clan chief of the Clan Gunn.
