Harper

The Harper Sept of the Clan Buchanan

Harper, Harperson, MacChruiter, Whirter, MacWhirter, MacWhorter, McWhurter, MacQuatter, MacQuarter

Auchmar in his book tells us that the names MacChruiter and Harperson were for many years found in the parishes of Buchanan of Buchanan and Callander. 

Origins of the Harper name

The name Harper is a vocational name, perhaps unsurprisingly referring to someone who plays the harp, and derives from the Old English hearpere. The Gaelic equivalent is MacChruiteir, from the Gaelic word cruit, meaning “harp” or “stringed instrument”. 

History of harpists

Although the exact date of the introduction of the harp into the British Isles is unknown, surviving images of the instrument tell us that it has been present throughout the UK and Ireland for over a thousand years. The earliest surviving images of harps in Scotland are Pictish carvings dating from 700 – 900 AD. In Ireland, a harp can be seen carved on the high cross of Muiredeach in the monastery of Monasterboice, County Louth, dated to the 9th or 10th century. The earliest surviving image of an English harp is from page 54 of Junius II in the Bodleian Library (previously known as the Cædmon manuscript), dating from 930 AD. Saint Dunstan, who was archibishop of Canterbury in the 10th century, is believed to be one of the first English harpers, and is reputed to have soothed King Athelstan with his harp playing at his court in Winchester. Harpers soon came to be in demand, and the harp became a regular fixture in the royal courts – and, by extension – the homes of landed gentry across the British Isles. Harpers were considered to be prominent musicians and made their living much the way that traveling musicians do today, by being paid to perform – although in medieval times they were paid by the nobility rather than the general public! 

As well as being popular in England and Scotland, the harp become especially prominent in Ireland; so much so, that in the early 16th century harpers began to be harassed by the English Crown and many were imprisoned as spies or were executed. Queen Elizabeth issued a proclamation to Lord Barrymore to “Hang harpers, wherever found, and destroy their instruments” in an attempt to gain control of Ireland. Ironically, at the same time she was enjoying Irish dances performed at her court in London by her harper. 

Between 1650 and 1660, Oliver Cromwell ordered the destruction of harps and organs. Harps were burned and harpers were forbidden to congregate. Despite this, various records indicate that some Highland chiefs retained their harpers well into the eighteenth century, and place names such as Harper’s Pass, Harper’s Field (both on the island of Mull), Harper’s Window (Isle of Skye) and Harper’s Gallery (Castlelachlan in Argyle) remind us of the one-time importance of the harp in these areas.

Although the deliberate destruction of harps and persecution of harpers in Ireland came to an end after Cromwell, musical fashions gradually changed and the playing of the harp almost died out. The Belfast Harp Meeting was organised in 1790 to promote the old music and only ten harpers from across Ireland attended, with only the oldest of these – 97 year-old Dennis Hempson – still playing in the traditional style. Cromwell’s persecution and the subsequent decline of the harp didn’t prevent the instrument from becoming the logo of the most famous brand in Ireland, and one of the most recognisable brands in the world, left..!

The Link to the Buchanans

One particular kin group of MacChruiters is reputed to have lived in the upper part of Buchanan lands and Callander for many years. Frank Adams in his, Clan, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands, states that they were descended from an ancestor who was one of the harpers to the Chief of Buchanan, although the basis of his claim is not provided. Regardless, this group of MacChruiters, Harpersons and Harpers were intimately involved with the Buchanans for many years and were considered to be a sept of the Clan.

Many thanks to Shane Watson for compiling much of this research…

Notable or notorious Harpers