Origin of the name ‘Gunn’

By Louise B. Gunn

         When dealing with ancient history, it is not surprising to get conflicting data. As is often the case with most clans, details are sketchy and, for lack of written documents, there were variations in the verbal transmission of the facts.

However, for Clan Gunn, there is some evidence that it takes its name from Gunni, the grandson of a famous 12th Century Viking pirate by the name of Sweyn Asleifsson.

Sweyn was the son of Olav, Governor of Freswick, and Asleif who was from a noble family. Sweyn had a stronghold at Lambaborg Castle, near Freswick, Caithness, in the north of Scotland, and a farm on Gairsay, one of the Orkney islands. According to the Orkneyinga Saga, Sweyn was known as the Ultimate Viking and, except for the higher born, he was the greatest, past or present.

            Sweyn had two sons and several daughters. One of his sons was Andreis, or Anders, who married Frida. Her father was Kolbein Hruga, a wealthy Norwegian lord who had a castle on the island of Wyre, Orkney. All that is known about Andreis is that he was born around 1142-45 and that, in his youth, he was known as Gillanders or Gille Anders (Gaelic for Anders the youth or boy). He may have been present at the meeting with King Malcolm of Scotland around 1160. Andreis and Frida had several children.

            Gunni Andresson was born around 1170.  By 1195, he was one of the counselors of Earl Harald Ungi (the young) who had inherited part of the Earldom of Caithness from his maternal grandfather Earl Rognvald (k. 1158); the other part of the earldom belonged to Earl Harald the Wicked. There was much animosity between the two Haralds and several battles took place. Eventually, Harald the Old proved to be stronger and he killed Harald Ungi at the battle of Wick in 1197. Several of Harald Ungi’s men were also killed during the battle, including his brother-in-law and private bodyguard, Lifolf Baldpate, who was married to his sister Ragnhild. The young Earl, Harald Ungi, was not married and did not leave any heir. So, his sister Ragnhild inherited the huge Moddan family estate in Cattaig, a territory now including Caithness and Sutherland.

            Gunni and Ragnhild had known each other for quite some time and, with the approval of King William the Lion, they were married around 1200. They had a family of several sons and daughters and apparently lived in great splendor in their castles in the north of Scotland. It is unfortunate to say that only ruins remain today of these once mighty fortresses.

Other possibilities for the origin of the name Gunn

            Some historians will say that there was another Gunni who was the progenitor of the clan. In fact, there are several Gunnis who could claim the title.

            The oldest Gunn name that we found associated with Orkney was probably an uncle of Sweyn the pirate. He could have been born around 1090 and was still living on the island of Westray around 1130.

            Then there was Sweyn’s younger brother called Gun who was expelled from Orkney because he had an affair with the mother of Harald the Wicked. Gun had at least one child from her. After his expulsion, he went to live in the Hebrides and nothing else is known about him.

            Another possibility for a Gunni, ancestor of Clan Gunn, is through King Olav of Man whose daughter may have married Ottar, grandson of Gunni Andresson and Ragnhild. This may explain why King Olav the Black had a grandson called Gunni, born around 1250.