Many names are associated with this clan including Hay, Hendry, Henry, McKendrick and Gunn. The clan has historically been geographically widespread, having settled in areas as far apart as Caithness to Dumfrieshire, and Fife to Ayr.
The principal family of the Henderson's are considered to hail from Glencoe, descended from a Pictish king. When they came to Glencoe they forged an alliance with the MacDonalds of Glencoe. The Hendersons of Glencoe were known for their size and strength and became the personal bodyguards of the Chief. The best known of these was the Big Henderson of the Chanters, who stood 6' 7" tall. He fell with his chief in the massacre of Glencoe.
The Henderson's of Fife produced a Lord Advocate, James Henderson from Fordell, in 1494. Alexander Henderson was also a member of this family, who in the 16th century was influential in the Presbyterian Church and one of the leaders of the Reformation. This branch of the family lived at Fordell Castle in Inverkeithing. This branch of the family produced the present line of chiefs, although the current incumbent lives in Australia. Although Fordell Castle is no longer in Henderson hands, it was restored in the 20th century by the late Sir Nicholas Fairbairn, a Solicitor General for Scotland.
In the Dumfries branch, a member of the Henderson clan was chamberlain of Lochmaben Castle (a possible birthplace of Robert the Bruce) in the late 14th century.
In the 19th century , Thomas Henderson, from Dundee was appointed the first Astronomer Royal for Scotland.
