The name Ainslie most likely derives from Annesley in Nottinghamshire, England. There was also a Ansley in Warwickshire which is recorded as “Hanslei” in the Domesday Book of 1086, and derives from the Olde English “ansetl”, hermitage, with “leah”, thin wood, glade, clearing. Annesley in Nottinghamshire is recorded in the Domesday Book as “Aneslei”, and […]
This clan claims descent from Niall, a descendent of Aodh O’Neill, a king of Northern Ireland at the beginning of the eleventh century. Niall came to the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides around 1094 and is commonly held to be the first chief of the clan. Barra itself is thought to take its […]
Spelling variations of this name include Gallouay, Galoway, Gallaway, Gallway, Gallawaye, and Galloay The family is named from the district of the same name in southwest Scotland. A family of this name settled in Dunbartonshire in the early 16th century, while others appear on the east coast. The inhabitants of the area of Galloway were […]
The family ‘de Boyville’ came to Britain from the Norman town of Beauville near Caen in the invasion of 1066 and settled in various locations. In particular Wales and Cumberland. In 1124 King David granted Hugh de Morvile the lands of Cunningham and Largs. He subdivided these lands among his relatives and so the de […]
The surname Spottiswood, or Spottiswoode, is of territorial origin, coming from the barony of Spottiswood, in the parish of Gordon in Berwickshire. Robert de Spotteswode was the first person recorded with this surname when, in 1296, he signed the Ragman Roll, pledging his allegiance to Edward I of England. On his seal is a wild […]
Elphinstones were a noble and baronial family who’s name came from the place name of Elphinstone. There is a family tradition that claims that the Elphinstones are descended from Flemish knights called Helphenstein. Another theory suggests that the name is derived from Alpin’s tun, which means the farmstead of Alpin. John de Elphinstone (1200 – […]
The family takes its name from the barony of Fairley in the parish of Largs. It is said that the Ayrshire family of this name were descended from Robert de Ross, a branch of the Rosses of Tarbert in Cunningham who had the lands of Fairley. These Fairlies held the title ‘Fairlie of that Ilk’. […]
Also found as Lambie and L’Ami. “A name once of good repute as a native name in Angus, though those who bear it in modern times have sought a French origin, and spell it L’Ami”. Henry Lambi was a character witness in Dundee in 1281. Gilbert and John Lamby were members of inquest made at […]
The name Adair originates in Renfrewshire when Thomas Edzear had a charter of the lands of Kildonan in the Rynes of Galloway from Robert I. Thomas was likely descended from Edgar son of Duvenald, a leader at the Battle of the Standard. The name ‘Edzear’ is found in a charter of 1625 where both forms […]
Also found as Blythe, named after the barony of Blyth in the lordship of Lauderdale. The place name still exists as a farm. William de Blyth of Chirneside, Berwickshire rendered homage in 1296 and in 1302 the seal of Adam de Blyth was appended to an account of goods purchased at Perth. James Blyth was […]
