Roland of Carrick, Cenn Cineoil

Roland of Carrick is believed to be the grandson of Duncan (Donnchadh), Earl of Carrick. Roland is also known as Lochlann of Carrick. HIS EXACT PARENTAGE IS NOT KNOWN.

In 1250 Duncan Earl of Carrick died and was succeeded as earl by Niall of Carrick. Niall was either Duncan's younger son or grandson. Niall was Earl of Carrick for only 6 years. Nial had only 4 daughters, no sons, and did not at that time have any grandsons. Facing his own mortality and not wanting leadership of the clan to pass out of the immediate family, on 12 September 1255 Earl Niall transferred leadership of the clan to Roland of Carrick. Roland became "Cenn Cineoil" (head of the kindred), he did not however become Earl. The earldom was succeeded by Marjorie, Nial's oldest daughter.

Roland is often mistakenly identified as the son of Niall, Earl of Carrick.
Historical documents make it clear that Niall HAD NO SONS only daughters.
Had Roland been Niall's son, he would have succeeded to the earldom of Carrick and not Marjorie.
Had Roland been Niall's son it would not have been necessary to formally issue documents granting leadership of the clan to Roland. Leadership would have transferred automatically upon Niall's death to his oldest son, IF HE HAD HAD A SON, WHICH HE DID NOT.

Sources identify Roland as Niall's nephew, 'probably the grandson of Earl Duncan'. Alternatively, Roland could be Niall's cousin.

Fifth Report of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts

Shortly after this Niel, Earl of Carrick, granted to Roland, of Carrick, probably the grandson of the above Duncan [Duncan of Carrick son of Gilbert of Carrick], a charter, which is the first of a series, all illustrative of points of clan polity.
By this deed the Earl granted and confirmed to Roland of Carrick and his heirs the right of being head of their kin in all pleas relating to Kenkenoll, and the office of Baillie, and the leadership of the men of the country under the Earl. This charter was confirmed by King Alexander III at Stirling, in the year 1276.

https://ia601209.us.archive.org/2/items/FifthReportHMC1876/HMCFifth...

Niall married Margaret Stewart, daughter of Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland and together they had four daughters, the eldest of which was Margaret, better known as Marjorie. On 12 September 1255 Níall, having no male heirs, granted the chiefship of the clan to his nephew Roland and his heirs, giving them all the powers in respect to the ceann ceneóil (head of kin). This grant was confirmed by King Alexander III at Stirling in 1276.

Niall died in 1256 and was succeeded by his daughter Marjory, who took the title 3rd Countess of Carrick.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niall,_Earl_of_Carrick

... at some time between 1250 and 1256 Earl Niall, anticipating that the earldom would be taken over by a man from another family, issued a charter to Lochlann (Roland) of Carrick, a son or grandson of one of Donnchadh's brothers. The charter granted Lochlann the title Cenn Cineoil, "head of the kindred", a position which brought the right to lead the men of Carrick in war. The charter also conferred possession of the office of baillie of Carrick under whoever was earl.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnchadh,_Earl_of_Carrick#Death_and_...

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lelandva/kenne003...

3. Roland3 de Carrick (Nicol,2, Duncan1) was born before 1256Carrick, Ayrshire, Scotland.6

He obtained from Neil, Earl of Carrick, a charter, 1275-76, confirmed by Alexander III, ratified by Robert II, 1372. These titles are titled confirmatio Johannis Kenedy, indicating this family changed the name Carrick for Kennedy (according to the Peerage) a Gaelic compound signifying the head of the house or family after 1256.7

Children of Roland3 de Carrick and an unknown spouse were:

4. i. Sir Gilbert4