Clan Hamilton Crest: An oak tree cut by a frame saw, and the motto Through.

The House of Hamilton is a Scottish family who historically held broad territories throughout central and southern Scotland, particularly Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and the Lothians. The Hamiltons were a lowland family, and were never organised as a clan in the Highland, Gaelic sense. However, modern usage tends to ascribe clan status to all Scottish families. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Clan map of Scotland Scottish clans (from Old Gaelic clann, children), give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs officially registered with the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which... Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir in Scottish Gaelic) is a region of south-west Scotland, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. ... Lanarkshire (Siorrachd Lannraig in Gaelic) is a traditional county of Scotland. ... Lothian forms a traditional region of Scotland, lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills. ... The Scottish Lowlands ( an Galldachd in Gaelic ), although not officially a geographical area of the country, in normal usage is generally meant to include those parts of Scotland not referred to as the Highlands (or Gàidhealtachd), that is, everywhere due south and east of a line (the Highland Boundary...

The family is descended from Walter fitz Gilbert, an Anglo-Norman comrade of Robert the Bruce, and rose in power to be the leading noble family in Scotland, second only to the royal House of Stewart, to whom they were closely related. Members of the family have held a number of titles in the peerages of both Scotland and Great Britain, the principal title being Duke of Hamilton, the Duke himself being the senior representative of the family. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Robert I (Mediaeval Gaelic:Roibert a Briuis; modern Scottish Gaelic: Raibeart Bruis; Norman French: Robert de Brus or Robert de Bruys; 11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), usually known in modern English as Robert the Bruce, was King of Scotland (1306 – 1329). ... Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one strikes me with impunity) Capital Edinburgh¹ Language(s) Gaelic, Scots Government Monarchy King/Queen  - 843-860 Kenneth I  - 1587–1625 James VI  - 1702-1714 Anne Legislature Parliament of Scotland History  - United 843  - Union of the Crowns March 24, 1603  - Act of Union... The House of Stuart or Stewart was a Scottish, and then British, Royal House of Breton origin. ... For other uses, see Peerage (disambiguation). ... Duke of Hamilton is a title in the Peerage of Scotland created in 1643. ...

History

Origins of the House

"Chief among the legends still clinging to this important family is that which gives a descent from the house of Beaumont, a branch of which is stated to have held the manor of Hamilton in Leicestershire; and it is argued that the three cinquefoils of the Hamilton shield bear some resemblance to the single cinquefoils of the Beaumonts. In face of this it has been recently shown that the single cinquefoil was also borne by the Umfravilles of Northumberland, who appear to have owned a place called Hamilton in that county. It May be pointed out that Simon do. Montfort, the great earl of Leicester, in whose veins flowed the blood of the Beaumonts, obtained about 1245 the wardship of Gilbert de Umfraville, second earl of Angus, and it is conceivable that this name Gilbert may somehow be responsible for the legend of the Beaumont descent seeing 'that the first, authentic ancestor of the Hamilton-, is one Walter FitzGilbert. He first appears in 1294-1295 as one of the witnesses to a charter by James, the high steward of Scotland, to the monks of Paisley; and in 1296 his name appears in the Homage Roll as Walter FitzGilbert of "Hameldone." Who this Gilbert of "Hameldone" may have been is uncertain." ^[1]

This new feudal family, house, like a number of other immigrants to Scotland, started to imitate somewhat the traditional local tribal structure. The chief's extended family, and some allies and dependents, became a "clan" which organized itself to defend and protect its people and property against strangers and outsiders. It is likely that most or all landed property was regarded as possession of the extended family, not any individual.

It is highly probable that the "clan", in common with a number of other Scots names, was not limited to agnatic descendants of someone ("founder" or "ancestor"), but encompassed an extended family, including those cognatic lineages who subscribe to "clan" leadership. It is also possible that some families (allies, dependents) were "adopted" into the "clan", without a genealogical relationship with it originally. Such of course became usually within a couple of generations relatives, as marriages (and children issuing from such having blood of both) took care of that.

The Hamiltons' new lands lay at the interface between the Britons of Strathclyde, (a recently defunct Brythonic Kingdom), the Kingdom of Scotland (predominantly Gaelic) , as well as the Germanic lands of Northumbria. Strathclyde (Srath Chluaidh in Gaelic) was one of the regional council areas of Scotland from 1975 to 1996. ... Brythonic is one of two major divisions of Insular Celtic languages (the other being Goidelic). ... Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (Latin: No one strikes me with impunity) Capital Edinburgh¹ Language(s) Gaelic, Scots Government Monarchy King/Queen  - 843-860 Kenneth I  - 1587–1625 James VI  - 1702-1714 Anne Legislature Parliament of Scotland History  - United 843  - Union of the Crowns March 24, 1603  - Act of Union... The Gaels are an ethno-linguistic group in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, whose language is of the Gaelic (Goidelic) family, a division of Insular Celtic languages. ... Northumbria is primarily the name of an Anglian or Anglo-Saxon kingdom which was formed in Great Britain at the beginning of the 7th century, and of the earldom which succeeded the kingdom. ...

In the early period, the chieftaincy of the FitzGilberts probably alternated between septs. However, seemingly in late 15th century, one primogeniture line appears to have consolidated its position of chiefs of the Hamilton to the extent that James Hamilton, 1st Lord Hamilton married a daughter of King James II, Princess Mary Stewart. From that lineage, the heads of the House of Hamilton descend. Sir James Hamilton of Cadzow (d. ... James II of Scotland (October 16, 1430 – August 3, 1460) was king of Scotland from 1437 to 1460. ...

These now patrician Hamiltons appear to descend in male line from a Jutish-Anglo-Saxon stock. Their common ancestor (group B in source material) started an agnatic line encompassing most of today noble families Hamilton^{[citation needed]}. Jutlandic or Jutish (jysk in Danish), is a term for the dialects of Danish spoken on the peninsula of Jutland. ... The Anglo-Saxons refers collectively to the groups of Germanic tribes who achieved dominance in southern Britain from the mid-5th century, forming the basis for the modern English nation. ...

Then there are a clear bunch of "plebeian" Hamiltons (groups A and some others) who clearly are not male-line descendants of the ancestor of the patrician Hamiltons, nor anyone in male line with that within the last millennium or two,but whose origin is from quite same areas. They are obviously descendants of Jutish-Aglo-Saxon allies, friends, dependents and cognatic relatives of the leader dynasty.^{[citation needed]}

As an evidence of "the other half" of the origin of the clan Hamilton coming from Gaelic stock, there are also a number of (mostly plebeian) families descending in male line from several ancestors who obviously were Celtic in first millennium CA (groups E to J and M to O). That branch of Clan Hamilton to which the today Swedish barons and counts Hamilton belong, is one of such.^{[citation needed]}

The DNA studies reported by Hamilton National Genealogical Society, Inc. (HNGS) support the understanding that medieval Scottish clan was not a construct of people with agnatic line between each others, but a societal phenomenon of forming an extended family, and a protection caucus, between families who only partially were originally related to each others through anything else than defence alliance.

See also: Y-DNA results of variety of families bearing Hamilton surname

Wars of Scottish Independence

During the Wars of Scottish Independence the Hamiltons initially supported the English and Fitz Gilbert Hamilton was governor of Bothwell Castle on behalf of the English. However he later came across to Robert the Bruce's side and was rewarded with a portion of land which had been confiscated from the Clan Comyn/Cumming. Among his new property was the Barony and lands of Cadzow which in time would become the town of Hamilton. The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between Scotland and England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. ... The Donjon seen from the Great Hall Bothwell Castle is a large medieval castle sited on a high steep bank above a bend in the River Clyde between Uddingston and the small town of Bothwell in Lanarkshire, Scotland, about 10 miles (16 km) south of Glasgow. ... Robert I (Mediaeval Gaelic:Roibert a Briuis; modern Scottish Gaelic: Raibeart Bruis; Norman French: Robert de Brus or Robert de Bruys; 11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), usually known in modern English as Robert the Bruce, was King of Scotland (1306 – 1329). ... Clan Comyn/Cumming Crest: A lion rampant or, in his dexter paw a dagger Proper Clan Cumming, also known as Clan Comyn, is a Scottish clan from the central Highlands that played a major role in the history of 13th century Scotland and in the Wars of Scottish Independence where... Hamilton Old Parish Church Chatelherault Hunting Lodge in Hamilton. ...

In 1346 the Hamiltons fought for King David II of Scotland at the Battle of Neville's Cross. Sir David Hamilton was captured and not released until a large ransom was paid. David II (March 5, 1324 – February 22, 1371) king of Scotland, son of King Robert the Bruce by his second wife, Elizabeth de Burgh (d. ... Combatants Scotland England Commanders David II of Scotland William Zouche, Archbishop of York Strength 12,000 3,000-3,500 Casualties 7,000 Unknown but very low The Battle of Nevilles Cross took place near Durham, England on October 17, 1346. ...

15th Century

In the 15th century the Hamiltons gained more royal support when in 1474 James the 1st Lord Hamilton married Princess Mary, the daughter of King James II of Scotland. Their son was made the Earl of Arran and stood next in line for the throne. James II of Scotland (October 16, 1430 – August 3, 1460) was king of Scotland from 1437 to 1460. ... Earl of Arran is a title in the Peerage of Ireland, and also in the Peerage of Scotland. ...

16th Century & Anglo-Scottish Wars

During the 16th century the Hamiltons made their home on the Island of Arran in 1503 and for most of that century a Hamilton was close to inheriting the Crown. The 2nd Earl of Arran was heir to the throne both of King James IV of Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots. As Mary's regent he enjoyed her wealth and was bribed into allegiance with both England and France. Arran shown within Clyde Coast The Isle of Arran (Scots Gaelic: Eilean Arainn) is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde (430 km²). It is in the unitary council area of North Ayrshire. ... James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran (c. ... James IV (March 17, 1473-September 9, 1513) - King of Scots from 1488 to 1513. ... Mary I of Scotland; known as Mary, Queen of Scots Mary I of Scotland (Mary Stuart or Stewart) (December 8, 1542 – February 8, 1587), better known as Mary, Queen of Scots, was the ruler of Scotland from December 14, 1542 – July 24, 1567. ...

In 1545 the Earl led his men into battle at the Battle of Ancrum Moor where they helped to defeat the English during the Anglo-Scottish Wars.He died The Battle of Ancrum Moor was fought during an Anglo-Scottish war towards the end of the reign of Henry VIII of England. ... The Anglo-Scottish Wars were a series of wars fought between England and Scotland during the sixteenth century. ...

Arran's eldest son James, was a commander in the Scots Royal Guards of François II of France. A possible suitor of the widowed Mary, he eventually lost his mind at the age of 26 and was confined for the remaining 47 years of his life. James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran (c. ... Two Guardsmen during the reign of Louis XVI. Coats were dark blue with red facings and silver lace. ... Francis II (French: François II) (January 19, 1544 – December 5, 1560) was a King of France (1559 – 1560). ...

Arran's third son John was made Marquess of Hamilton in 1599 and was keeper of Edinburgh and Stirling Castles. His son James succeeded in 1604 to his father's titles, and in 1609 to his uncle's. John Hamilton, 1st Marquess of Hamilton (c. ... 1599 was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... The castle from below (2003) Edinburgh Castle is an ancient fortress which from its position on Castle Rock, dominates views of the city of Edinburgh, and is Scotlands most famous landmark. ... Stirling Castle (southwest aspect) For ships named after the castle, see Stirling Castle (disambiguation) Stirling Castle is a castle in Stirling, one of the largest and most important, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland and indeed Western Europe. ... James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Hamilton KG PC (1589–2 March 1625), styled Lord Aven from 1599 to 1604, was a son of the 1st Marquess of Hamilton. ... Events January 14 – Hampton Court conference with James I of England, the Anglican bishops and representatives of Puritans September 20 – Capture of Ostend by Spanish forces under Ambrosio Spinola after a three year siege. ... // Events April 4 – King of Spain signs an edit of expulsion of all moriscos from Spain April 9 – Spain recognizes Dutch independence May 23 - Official ratification of the Second Charter of Virginia. ...

Previously, in 1587 Arrans brother Claud had been made first Lord Paisley. Paisley had fought at the Battle of Langside, but descended in later years into insanity. His son James had been created Baron Abercorn in 1603, and in 1606 Earl of Abercorn, Lord Paisley, Hamilton, Mountcashell and Kilpatrick for his assisstance to King James VI at the Union of the Crowns. Abercorn predeceased his father, and his son James, Master of Abercorn succeeded to his fathers titles in 1618. He had already been made Baron Hamilton of Strabane in the Peerage of Ireland in 1617. Claud, Lord Paisley died in or around 1621 and his grandson inherited his Lordship of Parliament. The Irish title came with significant property in Co. Tyrone, Ulster, and this branch of the family is now represented by James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn. The Abercorns although a junior branch of the family are the heirs male to the chieftancy. 1587 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... Claud Hamilton, 1st Lord Paisley (c. ... The Battle of Langside was a battle fought on May 13, 1568 between the forces of Mary Queen of Scots and a confederacy of Scottish Protestants under James Stewart, Earl of Moray, her half-brother (who won the battle). ... James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Abercorn (c. ... King James I of England/VII of Scotland, the first monarch to rule the Kingdoms of England and Scotland at the same time Events March - Samuel de Champlain, French explorer, sails to Canada March 24 - Elizabeth I of England dies and is succeeded by her cousin King James I of... Events January 27 - The trial of Guy Fawkes and other conspirators begins ending in their execution on January 31 May 17 - Supporters of Vasili Shusky invade the Kremlin and kill Premier Dmitri December 26 - Shakespeares King Lear performed in court Storm buries a village of St Ismails near... James VI and I King of England, Scotland and Ireland James VI of Scotland and I of England (Charles James) (19 June 1566–27 March 1625) was a King who ruled over England, Scotland and Ireland, and was the first Sovereign to reign in the three realms simultaneously. ... The Union of Crowns refers to the accession to the thrones of England and Ireland of King James VI of Scotland in March 1603, following the death of his unmarried and childless cousin, Elizabeth I, the last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. ... James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Abercorn (c. ... The title Duke of Abercorn was created in the Peerage of Ireland in 1868 and bestowed upon James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Abercorn. ... The Peerage of Ireland the term used for those peers created by British monarchs in their capacity as Lord or King of Ireland. ... Events Change of emperor of the Ottoman Empire from Ahmed I (1603-1617) to Mustafa I (1617-1623). ... 1621 was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 10-day slower Julian calendar). ... A Lord of Parliament is a member of the lowest rank of Scottish peerage, ranking below a viscount. ... Statistics Province: Ulster County Town: Omagh Area: 3,155 km² Population (est. ... Statistics Area: 24,481 km² Population (2006 estimate) 1,993,918 Ulster (Irish: Cúige Uladh, IPA: ) forms one of the four traditional provinces of Ireland. ... James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn. ... Successor to hereditary title, property, office or like, in case of the hereditacy being indivisible, goes to one person at a time. ...

Civil War

The Hamiltons under the third Marquess of Arran supported King Charles I during the Civil War. The Marquess was made Duke of Hamilton in 1643. He was beheaded with his King in London in 1649. William Hamilton the second Duke was killed at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Duke of Hamilton is a title in the Peerage of Scotland created in 1643. ... The Battle of Worcester was the final battle of the English Civil War. ...

Seat of the Chief

Hamilton Palace , Hamilton, South Lanarkshire had been the Family's Seat from 1695, built by Duchess Anne, and her husband William Douglas, 3rd Duke of Hamilton. It had the distinction of being the largest non-royal residence in Europe, reaching it's greatest extent under the 10th and the 11th Dukes. in the mid nineteenth century. Hamilton Palace, the former seat of the Dukes of Hamilton, was first built in 1695 and stood until its demolition in 1921. ... Hamilton Old Parish Church Chatelherault Hunting Lodge in Hamilton. ... Duchess Anne may refer to: Anne, Duchess of Maine Anne, Duchess of Montpensier Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton Anne Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe Anne Murray, Duchess of Atholl Anne Scott, 1st Duchess of Buccleuch Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland Henrietta Anne Stuart, Duchess of Orléans. ... William, Duke of Hamilton - Sir Godfrey Kneller, Hamilton Collection, Lennoxlove William Douglas, 1st Earl of Selkirk (24 December 1634 – 18 April 1694), was the son of William Douglas, 1st Marquess of Douglas and his second wife Lady Mary Gordon of Huntly. ...

However, excessive subsidence of the palace, (by the families own mines!) caused its condemnation and demolition in 1921. The 13th Duke then moved to Dungavel House, near Strathaven. Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre is a UK Government-run immigration detention facility in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, near the town of Strathaven that previously was known as Dungavel Castle or Dungavel House. ... Common Green, the centre of Strathaven Strathaven (pronounced: Straven , meaning: valley of the Avon) is a small town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. ...

It was here that deputy-führer Rudolf Hess was aiming for during his doomed peace mission, to see the Douglas, 14th Duke of Hamilton in 1941. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton, 11th Duke of Brandon (February 3, 1903 - March 30, 1973), was born in Pimlico, London, England. ...

In 1947, Dungavel was sold to the coal board, and then on to the government, who turned it into an open prison. Currently, it is the site of a controversial holding centre for asylum-seekers. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ...

The family moved to Lennoxlove House in East Lothian, where today it remains the residence of the Angus Alan Douglas-Hamilton, the 15th Duke. Lennoxlove House. ... East Lothian (Lodainn an Ear in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. ... Angus Alan Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 15th Duke of Hamilton and 12th Duke of Brandon (b. ...

Other Properties

• Brodick Castle, Brodick,Isle of Arran
• Cadzow Castle, Hamilton, Lanarkshire
• Chelsea Place, London
• Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh
• Kinneil Castle, Bo'ness, West Lothian
• Lochranza Castle, Lochranza, Isle of Arran
• Redhouse Tower, Longniddry, East Lothian

Brodick Castle is a castle situated outside the port of Brodick on the Isle of Arran, an island in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. ... Brodick (meaning Broad Bay, the name is derived from Norse roots) is the main village on the Isle of Arran, in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. ... Arran shown within Clyde Coast The Isle of Arran (Scots Gaelic: Eilean Arainn) is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde (430 km²). It is in the unitary council area of North Ayrshire. ... Cadzow Castle is a medieval ruin situated a few miles outside Hamilton, Scotland. ... Lanarkshire (Siorrachd Lannraig in Gaelic) is a traditional county of Scotland. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... Holyrood Palace The Palace of Holyroodhouse, more commonly known as Holyrood Palace, originally founded as a monastery by David I of Scotland in 1128, has served as the principal residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland since the 15th century. ... Edinburgh (pronounced ; Scottish Gaelic: ) is the capital of Scotland and its second-largest city. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... West Lothian or Linlithgowshire (Lodainn an Iar in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council regions in Scotland, and a Lieutenancy area. ... Situated on a promontory in the middle of Lochranza, on the North of the Isle of Arran in Scotland. ... Lochranza is a village located on the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. ... Arran shown within Clyde Coast The Isle of Arran (Scots Gaelic: Eilean Arainn) is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde (430 km²). It is in the unitary council area of North Ayrshire. ... Longniddry is a village in East Lothian, Scotland, United Kingdom. ... East Lothian (Lodainn an Ear in Gaelic) is one of 32 unitary council areas in Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. ...

See also

• Scottish clan
• Armigerous clan

Clan map of Scotland Scottish clans (from Old Gaelic clann, children), give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs officially registered with the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which... An armigerous clan or Family, is a Scottish clan the chief of which has matriculated arms with the Lyon Office. ...

References

External links

• http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/htol/hamilto2.html
• http://www.scotclans.com/clans/Hamilton/history.html