Rait

This name is said by both Nisbet and Anderson to be of Germanic origin and it is supposed that it was rendered in that language as ‘Rhet’. Lands were apparently granted to one of this name near Nairn, and from there the family spread south to Perthshire and Fife. Sir Gervase de Rathe was constable of Invernairn around 1292 and he is presumed to be the same de Rate who appears on the Ragman Roll four years later, rendering homage for his lands to Edward I of England. Nisbet describes him as Sir Gervais Rait of that Ilk. Sir Alexander Rait is said to have killed the Thane of Calder and fled to live under the protection of the powerful Keith family, the Earls Marischal. The fugitive’s son, Mark, married the heiress of the estates of Hallgreen, and this was to be the territorial style thereafter of the principal families. David Rait of Hallgreen and Drumnagar, received a charter of confirmation to his estates from James III. John Rait was Bishop of Aberdeen and died in 1355. Descended from the Raits of Hallgreen were the Raits of Pitforthie and of Anniston. James Rait of Anniston commanded a regiment of lancers in the British Legion in Spain, 1835–37, and was decorated for bravery. In 1838 he married Lady Clementina, a daughter of the Earl of Airlie.