APPENDIX 4
GENERAL HISTORY OF THE NAME HAMILTON[1]
The
name of Hamilton originated from England, and the arrival of Sir Walter
Fitz-Gilbert de Hameldone, the son of Gilbert de Hameldone, to witness a
charter in 1294, to allow the Monastrey of Paisley to fish for herring in the
Clyde. He stayed in Scotland and looked
after Bothwell Castle for the English during the Scottish War of Independence,
but later decided to support Robert the Bruce, who created him the Baron of
Cadzow. It is from Sir Walter that the Dukes
of Hamilton are descended.
The
6th Baron of Cadzow married the eldest daughter of James II,
Princess Mary. He was made Lord of
Hamilton in 1445. His first son was created Earl of Arran in 1503 and Duke of
Castelherault in 1549.
Other
titles received by the Hamiltons were Marquis of Hamilton in 1599, Duke of
Hamilton in 1643, and Earl of Abercorn in 1603. A marquessate was conferred upon the 9th Earl, whose
son received a dukedom in 1868.
The
Clan descended from the Norman Lord, Walter Fitz-Gilbert whose land at Cadzow
was granted by Robert Bruce for his support of the town. Cadzow is now named Hamilton and is located
in Lanarkshire, Scotland.
The
Clan Hamilton are somewhat connected to the Douglas Clan due to the fact that
the daughter of the Duke of Hamilton married the Earl of Selkirk, William
Douglas. The Dukedom remains with the
Hamiltons however, as the Duke is chief of Hamiltons, not Douglases.
The
seat of the Dukes of Hamilton and Brandon are situated at Lennoxlove, once
named Lethington, near Haddington.
As
a lowland family, albeit a strong one, Hamilton does not warrant the official
status of Highland clan; however, according to Collins’ "Scottish Clan
& Family Encyclopedia," Hamilton is a member of the Standing Council
of Scottish Chiefs. It takes its name
from the English town of Hambledon.
Principals
among Clan Hamilton are entitled Duke, not Chief. These Dukes of Hamilton
descend from Walter Fitz-Gilbert de Hameldone, who served as governor of
Bothwell Castle for the English during the Scottish War of Independence. Walter later joined Robert the Bruce, and
received from him the Barony of Cadzow.
The
Hamiltons were considered the most important of the Lowland families aspiring
at one time even to the Scottish throne. Their chief is still the Premier Duke
of Scotland, heir male of the house of Douglas and hereditary keeper of the
Palace of Holyrood. The name is
generally believed to be English in origin as there are several places named
Hameltun and Hambledone etc.
The
first reliable record of the name in Scotland was in 1296 when Walter
Fitzgilbert de Hameldone was one of these Scottish nobles to pledge allegiance
to Edward I of England. His son Sir David was the first to use the form
Hamilton. After this initial support of
the English, the Hamiltons lent their allegiances to Bruce during the Wars of
Independance and were granted the lands of Cadzow. Later in 1474, Hamilton of
Cadzow married Princess Mary, daughter of James II and their son became Earl of
Arran in 1503. His grandson was made Marquis of Hamilton in 1599. At one period
during the mid 1500's, a Hamilton was heir apparent to the throne, the second
Earl of Arran was Regent during the minority of Mary, later Queen of Scots.
James, 3rd Marquis was created Duke of Hamilton in 1643.
The
title passed to his daughter Anne who married William Douglas, Earl of Selkirk
following the death of her uncle William, the second Duke at the Battle of
Worcester in 1651. The Earl of
Selkirk was created Duke of Hamilton for life thus connecting the two great
families. The 4th Duke was greatly popular through his stubborn resistance to
the Act of Union in 1707 and was later killed in a duel with Lord Mohun in
1712.
Though sometimes credited with Jacobite sentiments, neither of the succeeding Dukes rose for the Stuarts and hence continued throughout the 18th century in their roles as great noblemen and statesmen. There are several branches of the Hamilton family, the most noteable being the Hamiltons of Abercorn, Dalzell and Innerwick.