Legend has it that the first Graham was one Gramus who forced a breach in the  Roman Antonine wall known as Graeme's Dyke in 420 A.D. However, historians  generally believe that the Grahams were of Norman descent. The first record of  the name was William de Graham who received the lands of Aberdeen and Dalkeith  from David 1 in 1127. From him descend all the Grahams of Montrose. They became  numerous in Liddesdale and the Borders and later obtained lands in Strathearn  and Lower Perthshire, the area with which the clan is now associated. The main  line of Graham chiefs was long and loyal supporters of the Scottish cause. Sir  John Graham of Dundaff, a friend and follower of Wallace was killed at the  Battle of Falkirk in 1298. His son Sir David received the lands of Montrose for  faithful service to King Robert the Bruce. The 3rd Lord Graham was created earl  in 1504 and fell at Flodden in 1513. James, the 5th earl was created Marquis of  Montrose. Two of Scotland's greatest generals have been provided by the Grahams  of Montrose. James Graham, 1st Marquis led the war in Scotland on behalf of  Charles I and John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee (Bonnie Dundee), led  the highly successful campaign for James VII during which time he managed to  organize the Highlanders into a strong single force and gain great victories,  notably the Battles of Inverlochy and Killicrankie. He was so irreplaceable  that the campaign collapsed without him. It was the Marquis of Graham, later,  Duke of Montrose who moved the motion in parliament to repeal the Act of  Proscription of the Highland Dress passed in 1782.