The Rutherfords of Ulster

The ancient and noble Rutherford family of Scotland, whose powerbase was predominantly in the Scottish Borders, spread far and wide across the globe. For some, the first stepping stone in the diaspora was the emerald isle of Ireland. Just twelve miles of sea separate the coastline of Ulster from the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. There has been interaction, trade and migration in both directions since before records began.

In 1609, with the Plantation of Ulster, King James VI of Scotland (James I of England and Ireland) encouraged Scots, Welsh and English landlords – Undertakers – (with grants of land) to settle their tenants in northern Ireland in an attempt to displace and subdue the indigenous Irish Celts, and incorporate Ulster into the United Kingdom – and at the same time conveniently relocate troublesome Scottish Border families such as the Rutherford Reivers. The Muster Rolls of 1633 details the fighting men of seven such Rutherford families – living in counties Down, Tyrone and Fermanagh – able to take up arms and defend their family, their Undertaker and lands. They were called upon during the bloody uprising of the displaced Irish in 1641. There were still stout-hearted Rutherford survivors living in Ulster two generations later when the next influx of settlers arrived from the Scottish Lowlands – escaping religious persecution and famine.

In 1690, four sons of Captain James Rutherford of the Scots Brigade in Holland arrived in Ireland with King William III of Orange. Three, who fought at the Battle of the Boyne, were awarded land as servitors in County Down and County Tyrone, and the fourth, a Presbyterian minister, settled in County Monaghan. There are many descendants of these Scots Irish Rutherfords of Ulster.