The MacInneses, or Clan Aonghais, are of ancient origin. As long ago as the fifth century the Kingdom of Dalriada was divided between three tribes, the Cineal Gabran, the Cineal Loarn, and the Cineal Angus, but there is no record of any connection of the last named with the MacInneses whose earliest known territory was Morven, and it is claimed that they were constables of the castle of Kinlochaline.

Hugh MacDonald, the Sleat historian of the seventeenth century, writing of Morven in the twelfth century states that “ the principal names in the country were MacInnes and MacGillivary, who are the same as the MacInnes,” and then goes on to describe how Somerled coming out of his retirement led these clans and defeated the Norsemen, and expelled them from the district. The MacInneses remained in possession of Morven, and as late as 1645 it appears that a MacInnes was in command of the Castle of Kinlochaline when it was besieged and burnt by Coll Kitto.

When the MacInneses and the MacGillivarys of Morven and Ardgour were broken up, we find, writes Skene, that they acknowledged the Clan Dugall Craignish ( Campbell ) as their chief.

The hereditary bowmen to the chiefs of MacKinnon were a branch of the MacInneses, and this may be the origin of the MacInneses in Skye in more modern times.

Crest: A boar’s head, erased. A thistle, proper, and thereon a bee sucking the flower. Badge: Holly.