[3] Tradition stating that the Chisholms were a Norman family who arrived in England after the conquest of 1066.,[3] the original surname being De Chese to which the Saxon term "Holme" was added.

[3] One of the earliest recorded members of the family was John de Chesehelme, who in 1254 was mentioned in a bull of Pope Alexander IV.

[5] Robert Chisholm fought against the English at the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346, was taken prisoner with King David II and probably not released until eleven years later when his royal master returned to Scotland.

[6] In 1359 after being knighted by the king[4] he succeeded his grandfather as Constable of Urquhart Castle,[4] and later became Sheriff of Inverness and Justiciar of the North.

[7] Some sources say that Macdonald occupied the castle for three years despite the efforts of the Clan Grant to dislodge him and his companions.

[7] John Chisholm, doctor in surgery, was appointed as chief and principal surgeon to king James VI in September 1573.

Once again his duties brought him up against the MacDonalds, for in 1679 he was ordered to lead a thousand men of the county to quell a disturbance created by some members of said clan, and in 1681 he was given a commission of fire and sword against them.

His youngest son, Roderick Og Chisholm led the clan at the Battle of Culloden, leading a very small regiment of about 80 clansmen, of which 30 were killed, including himself.