[2] Albany Herald and chief of the clan Iain Moncreiffe (1919–1985) asserted that the coat of arms with the red royal lion on a silver shield were the colours of the house of Maldred, Regent of Cumbria and brother of Duncan I of Scotland,[2] indicating that they were cadets of Maldred's line.

[2] He died in about 1465 and was succeeded by his son, the seventh Laird who was James III of Scotland's chamberlain and shield bearer.

[2] The seventh Laird married Beatrix, daughter of James Dundas of that Ilk, but was murdered some time before 1475 by Flemish pirates.

[2] During the sixteenth century one branch of the Clan Moncreiffe joined the famous Scots Guard of Archers for the king of France and established at least three noble French families.

[2] When he was released he embraced the Protestant religion and was one of the barons who subscribed to the Articles in the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1567.

[2] His son also called John personally raised a company of the King's Scots Guards by warrant of Charles II of England in 1674.

[2] A new seat was built for the Chief at Moncreiffe, the first major country house completed by Sir William Bruce in 1679.

[2] It was the family seat until it was destroyed by fire in November 1957, claiming the life of Sir David Moncreiffe of that Ilk, 10th Baronet, the twenty-third Laird.

[2] This tragedy led to the chiefship of the great Scottish herald and historian Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, 11th Baronet.