Aut Pax Aut Bellum

Every now and again, I find myself looking into my past. Not my own life, but my forefathers and the history of my ancestry. Of course, the further up the line you go, the greater the diversity in backgrounds you will find. Yet, with all the info I have, it seems that most of my ancestors are from European decent. On my mothers side, much of my lineage can be found in France. But on my fathers side, I can find my lineage in Scotland, a sept of the Gunn Clan. The motto "Aut Pax Aut Bellum" mean "Either Peace or War" - I don't want to bash my forefathers, but no kidding!

I took the following from http://www.yourscottishname.com/gunn_clan.htm

Gunn : Origin of the Clan Name

It is thought that the clan name is derived from the Norse language of Scandinavia whose word "gunnr", means "war". The Norse people originally colonised the north of Scotland, long before the development of the clan system. The first use of the name by the clan was in the 12th century by the Chief of the clan, Olaf.

The Gunn Clan's Ancestry in Norway

The Clan Gunn claims descent from the Norse Jarls or Earls of Orkney and from the ancient Celtic Mormaers of Caithness through Ragnhild, daughter of Moddan in Dale, son of Moddan, Mormaer (High Steward) of Caithness, who was killed in 1040, and granddaughter of Saint Rognvald, Jarl of Orkney, who married Gunni, the reputed name-father of the Clan.

Gunni was himself a grandson of Sweyn Asleif's-son, the 'Ultimate Viking' and hero of the Orkneyinga Saga. Sweyn Asleif's-son had his long hall on the island of Gairsay, off the east coast of the Mainland of Orkney and lands in Caithness at Freswick, a few miles south of Duncansbay. The principal Gunn lands were, however, acquired through Ragnhild, who inherited great estates in Caithness and Sutherland on the death of her brother, Harold Ungi, Jarl in Orkney and Earl of Caithness in 1198.

Snaekoll Gunn Murders Chief

These were inherited by Snaekoll (White head) Gunni's-son the second
chief of the Clan. His rights to the Norse Earldom were, however, forfeited as he had murdered John, the then Jarl in Orkney, over a land claim dispute arising from their mutual descent from the ancient Jarls of Orkney. Thus from the middle of the 13th century the Gunns were essentially a Caithness family. At this time the Clan Gunn were at the height of their power. They appeared to possess virtually the whole of Caithness, which was then passing from the influence of the Norse Earldom to that of the King of Scots. Snaekoll Gunni's-son is reputed to have built Castle Gunn at Bruan, on the east coast of Caithness south of Wick.

- SkEEtEr-