This theory says that Henry, 3rd or 4th (depending on your source) Earl of Atholl, is said to be a kinsman of King Malcolm III of Scotland. August 14, 1040, Macbeth, who was the subject of a Shakespearian play over half a millennium later, killed King Duncan I near Elgin. Malcolm, the victim's eldest son, rebelled twice against MacBeth in an effort to take back the crown. Malcolm's grandfather, Crinan, was slain in 1045 near Dunkeld "with nine times twenty heroes" as he led a failed attempt to put his grandson on the thrown. As in the play, MacBeth was defeated in a second attempt and Malcolm became King Malcolm III. On the death of King Harold at the battle of Hastings in 1066, the English elected Edgar Atheling their new King whose job was to surrender to William the conquerer. Edgar and his sister, Margaret, fled England for asylum in Scotland. In 1068 King Malcolm III of Scotland, who succeeded MacBeth of Shakesperian fame, took Margaret as his second wife. Edgar Atheling led a force of Saxons and Normans in 1097 to bring Malcolm III's son, Edgar, to the throne of Scotland. Malcolm III's hereditary possessions passed on to his youngest brother, Maelmare, the first Celtic Earl of Atholl. On Maelmare's death, it passed to Malcolm III's second son of his first marriage, also called Malcolm. According to this theory, this last Malcolm had a descendant named Henry. Henry, during the reign of King Alexander II, beqeathed to his second son, Conan (a.k.a. Connan or Comingos), the lands of Generochy. These lands were later known as Strowan which in Gaelic is "Struthan", meaning "steamy". Another source says this is simply a Stream on the shores of Loch RANNOCH.
Conan begat EWAN FITZ CONAN ("Fitz" being son of), who begat ANGUS who solidified the family estate through charter and begat Andrew. Andrew styled himself "DE ATHOLIA" which is thought to be a claim to descent from the Earls of Athole. However, "DE" means "of", so it may simply say that he was Andrew of or from Atholia. Andrew's son was Duncan the fat (c. 1275-1355).An interesting coincidence links this story with King Malcolm III of Scotland. "Garg'n Uair Dhuisgear" is shouted by a Robertson clansman prior to an attack. This is Gaelic for fierce when roused. This is in reference to the Chief's coat of arms which was a design on a garment warn over armour so the wearer can be recognized. In our chief's case, it contains 3 silver wolf heads on a blood red shield supported by a serpent and a dove. These supporters tell those familiar with Scots Heraldry that the wearer is a descendant of Saint Columba. Crinan, abbot of Dunkeld, was recongized as a descendant of Saint Columba on the counter-seal of Dunkeld Cathedral, which shows Saint Columba enthroned on two wolves. King Alexander III's privy seal also contains the serpent and dove supporters. However, it is with the proverb, "be wise as the serpent and gentle as the dove".