Hervey de Keith at one time, when David I was King of Scotland, possesed half of the lands called Keith in East Lothian. His great-grandson aquired the other half by marrying it's Fraser heiress.
The chiefs, as hereditary Grand Marischals of Scotland, took a prominent part in the couintry's affairs and battles. In the process the clan acquired vast areas of land and great wealth.
In around 1390 Sir William Keith had Dunottar Castle as the main seat. Later, in 1593, the fifth Earl Marischal founded the famous Marischal College in Aberdeen. The tenth, and last, Earl forfeited the title and all estates for his active suport of the Old Chevalier in 1715.
There are several septs of Clan Keith, in particular the many Dicksons in the Scottish Borders and Dixons in England are descended from one of the early Keith-Marischals.
