Comyn

The Comyns, later spelled Cumming, were a family of Norman or Flemish origin who rose under David I to become Scotland's most powerful house in the thirteenth century. William married the countess of Buchan; his son Walter acquired Badenoch, where castles commanded Highland passes.

John the Black Comyn was one of the six guardians of the realm after 1286 and claimed the crown through descent from Donald III. His son John the Red Comyn led the Scots to victory at Roslin in 1303 but submitted to Edward I in 1304, and in 1306 Robert the Bruce killed him in the Greyfriars church at Dumfries.

The Red Comyn's son died fighting for the English at Bannockburn in 1314, and the Badenoch line was forfeited. Surviving branches remained in the Highlands as Clan Cumming, with the Cummings of Altyre recognised as chiefs.