The clan MacDhai or Davidson, earliest settled Invernahaven in Strathspey, are believed to take name from an ancestor David Dhu, fourth son of Murriach the 12th-century founder of the MacPhersons. Members of the Clan Chattan, they were deeply involved in the quarrels of precedency that beset that confederacy. These were publicly culminated in 1396 in the famous thirty-a-side combat MacPherson v. Davidson, before King Robert lll and his court on the North Inch of Perth. Whether because 29 leading MacDhais were killed, or because one escaped alive, the clan there-after fell from prominence. They are now chiefly represented by the Davidsons of Tulloch in Cromarty. A small border clan Davidson arose in Roxburghshire around the 16th century, perhaps of quite independent origin, like the Davie name in Orkney, and others. The Inverness-shire MacKays are really MacDhais. Septs: DAVEY DAVIE DAVIS DAVISON DAWSON DAY DEA DEAN DEANE DEAS DEASON DEY DOW DYE KAY KEAY KEY KEYS MACDADE MACDAID MACDAVID MACKAY SLORA SLORACH -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scottish Surnames some showing Clan or Sept connection and approximate District or Century earliest known in Scotland. Information from the Revised Second Edition "Scots Kith and Kin". Sept: A Division of a Family, especially a Division of a Clan.