The Clan History

In the early 12th century Alexander I granted the lands of Anstruther in Fife to William de Candela.

Various origins have been attributed to him but he is probably descended from the Normans in Italy. William the Conqueror sought help from them and it is known that William, Count of Apulia, sent a son. William de Candela¹s son also William was a benefactor of Balmerino Abbey giving to the monks the site presently occupied by the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther. Henry, in the next generation discontinued using the name Candela and is described as Henricus de Aynstrother dominus ejusdem in a charter confirming grants to Balmerino.

His son another Henry accompanied Loius IX to the crusades an swore fealty to Edward I in 1292 and again in 1296. In 1483 Andrew Anstruther of Anstruther obtained confirmation of the barony and fought at Flodden in 1513.

His youngest son fought at the battle of Pavia in 1520 in the king of Frances Scots regiment. Andrews eldest son John married a Douglas of Loch Leven and their great-grandson was chosen as a companion of the young king James VI, who in 1585 appointed him Hereditary Grand Carver this office is still held by the head of the family.

In 1595 he became Master of the Household. His elder son William was made a knight of the Bath. Sir Phillip fought on the royalist side in the civil war and received Charles II at Dreel Castle after his coronation at Scone in 1651.