Comyn

Comyn is a surname of Scottish origin, most notably associated with the medieval Clan Comyn. Variants appear in historical records as Comyn, Cumming, or Cuming. The clan rose to prominence in the northeast of Scotland, particularly in Buchan, and held extensive estates and titles during the 12th to 14th centuries. Members of the family occupied high offices such as the Justiciar of Scotia and played a central role in the politics of medieval Scotland.

The Comyns were rivals of the Bruces and a leading force in the country before the rise of the House of Stuart. A turning point occurred in 1306 when John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, was killed by Robert the Bruce in Greyfriars Church at Dumfries, an act that helped trigger Bruce’s bid for the Scottish crown. In the ensuing decades the Comyns’ power declined and their lands were forfeited amid the Wars of Independence.

Today the Comyn name survives as a surname, and the Clan Comyn remains a subject of genealogical and historical study as part of Scotland’s feudal past. Notable figures include John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, and other early members who held high offices and supported the administration of the realm. The legacy of the Comyns is principally as a major medieval Scottish noble house whose fortunes were closely tied to the dynastic struggles of medieval Scotland.