The pioneering spirit of the Scottish Highlander and his contribution to world history has few rivals amongst the founding races of the British Isles.

The Highland surname MacInnis has been prominent in adding a weighty influence to an already monumental image. From the sea swept Hebridean Islands and the mountainous western coast of Scotland, this surnamehas emerged as a notable family whose history is romanticized by the skirl of the bagpipes, the brandished sword, the tartan kilt and the highland games.

Professional analysts using some of the oldest manuscripts, including Clan genealogies, the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, the Ragman Rolls, the Inquisitio, the Black Book, parish cartularies, baptismal records, and tax records and many other documents found the name MacInnis in Argyllshier where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on teh early census rolls takedn by the early kings of Britian to determin the rate of taxation of their subjects.

The name MacInnis, was found to have many variations in spelling, particularly in transferring the name into and from Gaelic. The surname was sometimes spelt MacInnis, MacInnes, MacAngus, MacMasters, Masterson, and these changes in spelling occurred, even between father and son. It was not uncommon for a clansman in his own lifetime to be born with one spelling, marry with another, and yet another to appear on his headstone. Sometimes a different spelling was used to claim a religious or clan affiliation, or even a division of the family.

The Dalriadans are considered one of the founding races of Scotland. This race was descended from the early irish Kings, specifically King Colla da Crioch, who was banished from ireland in 327 A.D., along with 350 clan chiefs who settled in the Western Isles. Even now, certain Scottish highland clans are still called the "Children of Colla". Descended from the monarch, through Fergus Mor MacEarcha, was the great King Somerland, King of Man and the Isles, the Scoin of the MacDonalds, MacDougalls and many others. Kenneth MacAlpine, first King of Scotland, Alba or Caledonia as it was then known, was half Dalriadan, half Pict.

The Highland Clans, kept aloof from Scottish politics. Many battles were fought with the Scottish King, generally considered to be a lowlander, or Sassanach, until Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied their support for his claim to the throne which culminated at Culloden in 1745. The last straw to the highlander had been the Highland Clearances (1790), the result of intriducing sheep into the highlands. Many joined the Highland Regiments, and the cream of Scottish manhood fought and migrated all over the world, including North American colonies.

Your name MacInnis emerged as a Scottish clan or family in their territiory of Argyll where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated with manor and estates in their shire. The Clan MacInnis a Morvern branch of the MacGillivrays were long constables of the important fortress of Kinlochaline on the Sound of Mull in the Firth or Lorne. The Clan, anciently descended from Angus, a mediaeval Chieftain, were also hereditary archers to the Clan MacKinnon. They were descended from the Clan Chattan, this Clan also gave birth to the important Clan MacMaster which was a branch of the MacInnis. The MacMasters moved south into Dumfries and Wigtown in Galloway by the 15th century and teh Cheif of the MacMasters held land in Dumfries. The MacMasters also migrated to Ireland where they settled in Antrim and Down. Meanwhile the MacInnis also branched shouth to Galloway. Notable amongst the Clan from early times was Alistari MacInnes of Dunoon.

Clan societies are now attempting to reconstruct Highland history. But Typical of the ancient conflict between highlander and Edinburgh, many noble and ancient highland clans have still not officially been recognized by the Lord Lyon of Scotland.

Many heads of families migrated from Scotland to Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries. They became known as the 'Scotch/Irish'. They were granted the lands of the native Catholic Irish. In Ireland 38 heads of families of mcMasters settled in Antrim and Down.

Ever since St Columba had first brought Christianity to the Isle of Iona, crowning place of the Kings of Scotland, Britian, even of Europe, in the 4th century religion had played a major role in Highland affairs. During the 16th and 17th centuries many "turned" as they say, and became embroiled in the savage religions conflicts of the mainland. religion frequently inflicted banishment to the New World or worse. Persons who failed the 'test', the oath of belief and loyalty to the new church were burnt at the stake, hanged or banished.

The Highland Reqiments provided a source of migrates the workd over. Regiments were formed to relieve teh misery caused by the introdution sheep into the Highlands. Abandoned clansmen moved to Ireland, or to the New World. Many moved south to England, an economic necessity.

Clansmen sailed aboard the small sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic, ships such as the hector, the Rambler and the Dove, indenturing themselves for up to ten years to pay their passage. Many of these overcrowded ships arrived with only 60% to 70% of their passenger list, the rest dying at sea.

In North America, many settled Virginia, the Carolinas, Pictou, Nova Scotia and the Ottawa valley. One of the first migrants which could be considered a knsman of the name MacInnis, of that same Clan or family, was Duncan MacInnis settled in Philadelphia in 1798; Thomas and Helen MacInnis settled in Boston in 1849; John MacInnis settled in South Carolina in 1716; George, Hugh, John, Patrick, William MacMaster settled in Charlestown, S.C. in 1772; Patrick McMaster settled in Boston in 1767 with his wife.

Many joined the wagon train to the mid west and west coast. During the American War of Independence those loyal to the cause pledged their allegiance to their new coutry. Others, loyalto the Crown moved north to Canada and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.

The most ancient grant of a coat of Arms was: Ermine with two red lions one above the other.