The peerage of Scotland: containing an historical and genealogical account of the nobility of that kingdom, ... collected from the public records, and ancient chartularies of this nation, ... Illustrated with copper-plates. By Robert Douglas, Esq;.

ARBUTHNOT Viscount ARBUTHNOT.

ALL our antiquaries agree, that this is a local sirname, and was assumed by the proprietors of the lands and barony of Arbuthnot in the Mearns, when sirnames be∣gan to be used in Scotland.

The first we find upon record, is,

1. HUGO, promiscuously designed de Ar∣buthnot and Aberbothenoth,* 1.1 who, according to a learned author, got possession of the lands of Arbuthnot, by marrying the daughter of Osbertus Oliphard, sheriff of Mearns, in the reign of king Malcolm IV. about the year 1160, from whence he assumed his sirname.

Ricardus de Aberbothenoth,* 1.2 clericus regis, flourished in the reign of king William the lion; but we cannot connect him with this family.

The said Hugo had a long contest with the bishop of St. Andrews, about the property of the Kirktown of Arbuthnot, which was not determined in his time.

He was succeeded by his son,

II. DUNCANUS de ABERBOTHENOTH,* 1.3 who continued his father's contest with the bishop of St. Andrews about the property of the Kirktown of Arbuthnot, which was at last determined against him by an assembly of ec∣clesiastics held at Perth, anno 1206.

He left issue two sons,

1. Hugo, his heir.

2. Alwinus de Arbuthnot,* 1.4 who is witness to a donation to the priory of St. Andrews, in the reign of king Alexander II.

He was succeeded by his eldest son,

III. HUGO, third baron of Aberbothenoth, who is a witness in a charter to the mona∣stery of Arbroath, together with his father,* 1.5 therein designed dominus Duncanus de Aber∣bothenoth, whereby Robertus filius Warnebal∣di, et Rescinda sponsa sua, gave to the mona∣stery of Arbroath,

"totum feodum nostrum in parochia de Fordun, &c."

He left issue a son and successor,

IV. HUGO de ABERBOTHENOTH, who, on account of the flaxen colour of his hair, was designed Hugo le Blond, dominus de A∣berbothenoth.

He was a liberal benefactor to the clergy;* 1.6 witness his donations to the monks of Aber∣brothock anno 1282. The original of one of these donations, still in the family, has this Hugo's seal appended to it. The impression is a crescent and a star, which, with very little variation, is at this day the arms of the family.

He died about the end of the thirteenth century, and was buried amongst his ancestors at the church of Arbuthnot, where there is a statue of him in stone at full length, still to be seen.

He married a daughter of the antient and honourable family of the Morvilles, by whom he had a son,* 1.7

V. DUNCANUS, fifth baron of Aberbothe∣noth, who succeeded him, and died at his

mansion-house of Arbuthnot in December 1314.* 1.8

He was succeeded by his son, another

VI. DUNCANUS, sixth baron of Aberbo∣thenoth,* 1.9 who survived his father but a short time, and left issue a son and successor,

VII. HUGO de ABERBUTHNOT, who lived in the beginning of the reign of king David II.* 1.10 and left a son and successor,

VIII. PHILIPPUS, eighth baron of Ar∣buthnot, and the first we find designed domi∣nus ejusdem.

He, like many of his ancestors, was a li∣beral benefactor to the church and clergy; witness his large donations fratribus Carmel∣burgi de Aberdeen, &c. The original char∣ter, which is still extant,* 1.11 is dated in April 1355, and is afterwards confirmed by king David II. anno 1366.

He married, first,—Keith, daughter of sir William Keith great marishal of Scotland, but by her he had no male issue.

He married, 2dly, Margaret, daughter of sir James Douglas of Dalkeith,* 1.12 ancestor of the earl of Morton, by Agnes Dunbar, daugh∣ter of the earl of March; by whom he had a son,

Hugh, his heir,—and a daughter,

Margaret, married to William lord Moni∣penny.

IX. HUGH ARBUTHNOT, dominus e∣jusdem, succeeded. It seems this Hugh, with several other gentlemen in the shire of Mearns, upon great provocation, had been ac∣cessary to the killing of John Melvil of Glen∣bervie;* 1.13 and, claiming the privileges of the clan Macduff, was assoilzied from the said slaughter, as being within the ninth degree of kindred to Macduff earl of Fife.

He married Margaret,* 1.14 daughter of sir Ro∣bert Keith, ancestor to the earl marishal, by whom he had

Robert, his heir,—and a daughter,

Margaret, married to Andrew Menzies, pro∣vost of Aberdeen, ancestor of the family of Pitsoddils.

He lived to a very great age, and dying anno 1446, was succeeded by his son,

X. ROBERT ARBUTHNOT, dominus ejus∣dem, who married Giles, daughter of sir Wal∣ter Ogilvie of Lentrethan, lord high treasurer of Scotland,* 1.15 ancestor of the earl of Airly, by whom he had six sons and one daughter.

1. David, his heir.

2. Hugh Arbuthnot of Balmaquin and Bryck∣lie, which estate he got by marrying Janet Bal∣maquin,* 1.16 heiress thereof.

3. Robert Arbuthnot of Banff.

4. Alexander, who died without issue.

5. James.* 1.17

6. William.

His daughter Catharine was married to sir John Allardice of that ilk.* 1.18

This Robert died anno 1450, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest son,

XI. DAVID ARBUTHNOT, dominus ejusdem, who made a great figure in the reign of king James II. and bore a considerable share in all the transactions of his time.

He was one of the free barons,* 1.19 upon an inquest, for settling the marches of some lands with the abbot and convent of Arbroath, anno 1460.

He married—Durham,* 1.20 daughter of —Durham of Grange, an antient family in the county of Angus, by whom he had two sons and three daughters.

1. Robert, his heir.

2. Hugh Arbuthnot, doctor of medicine, who, being a person of great skill and know∣ledge in his profession,* 1.21 was invited over to France, where he settled, married, and had issue.

1. Daughter Elizabeth,* 1.22 was married to —Barclay of Gartly, an antient family in Aberdeenshire.

2 Giles, married to—Fraser of Dores.

3. Catharine, married to Alexander Gra∣ham tutor of Morphy.

He died anno 1470, and was succeeded by his son,

XII. Sir ROBERT ARBUTHNOT, miles, dominus ejusdem, who, being a person of great loyalty and integrity, was in high favour with their majesties king James III. and IV. as appears from the great number of letters he had from both these monarchs,* 1.23 all written with their own hands, and which are still preserv∣ed amongst the archives of the family; copies whereof may be seen at large in Nisbet's ap∣pendix, to which we refer our readers, who wish to see a fuller account of this family.

He was likewise a man of great prudence, oeconomy and frugality, and made several con∣siderable new purchases, which he added to his paternal inheritance, and for all which he got charters under the great seal,* 1.24 in 1487, 1488, 1493, 1494, &c. and recovered the barony of Fiddes, which had been out of the family above two hundred years.

He sat in the parliament held by king James III.* 1.25 at Edinburgh, the 29th of January 1487, and is then designed dominus R••bertus Arbuth∣not de codem, &c.

He was one of the gentlemen upon the in∣quest, in the service of James Wishart of Pit∣tarrow, anno 1491, and is witness to the earl marishal's charter to his second son,* 1.26 of the lands of Troup, anno 1493.

He made several donations to the religious, and founded and endowed a chaplainry at the church of Arbuthnot,* 1.27 pro salute animae suae, et Mariotae Scrimgeour sponsae suae, &c. &c. dat∣ed in 1505, and confirmed by king James IV. the same year.

He married, 1st, a daughter of sir James Wishart of Pittarrow, an antient family in the Mearns, by whom he had one only son,

Ambrose, who died in the flower of his age.

He married, 2dly, Mariota, daughter of sir James Scrimgeour of Dudhope, ancestor of the earl of Dundee,* 1.28 by whom he had four sons and six daughters.

1. James, his heir.

2. Mr. Robert Arbuthnot.

3. George Arbuthnot, who died in France without issue.

4. Andrew Arbuthnot of Futhes,* 1.29 who got several charters of lands under the great seal, and married Elizabeth, daughter of Alexan∣der Strachan of Thorntoun, by whom he had, 1st, Robert his successor; 2d, Mr. Alexan∣der Arbuthnot, principal of the king's college at Aberdeen, who was an ornament to his country, for his great learning and knowledge in all the liberal arts and sciences.

1. Daughter, Elizabeth, married to Tho∣mas Fotheringhame of Pourie.

2. Catharine, married, 1st, to—Au∣chinleck of that ilk; 2dly, to Gilbert Tur∣ring of Foveran.

3. Christian, married to Alexander Fraser of Dores.

4. Giles, married to Graham of Morphie.

5. Janet, married to Alexander Falconer of Halkerton, ancestor of lord Halkerton.

6. Mariota, married to James Bisset of Easter Kinneff.

He died in the year 1506, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest son,

XIII. JAMES ARBUTHNOT, dominus e∣jusdem. He got a charter from king James IV. dated in 1506,* 1.30 de baronia, castro, et fortalitio de Arbuthnot, &c.

He also got charters of several other lands and got them all erected into one free baro∣ny, anno 1511.* 1.31

He married lady Jean Stuart, daughter of John earl of Athole,* 1.32 by whom he had two sons and one daughter.

1. Robert, his heir.

2. David, who, having devoted himself to the service of the church, was made par∣son of Menmure, but was killed at the battle of Pinkie, anno 1547.

His daughter, Isabel, was married, 1st, to —Ouchterlonie of Kelly;* 1.33 and, 2dly, to Robert Maule of Panmure, ancestor to the earls of that family.

He died in the flower of his age, anno 1521, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XIV. ROBERT ARBUTHNOT, dominus ejus∣dem, a man of great worth and merit, and of high character in the reigns of king James V. and queen Mary.* 1.34 He had a very considerable e∣state, which appears by his charters, under the great seal, of several lands and baronies too numerous to be here inserted.

He married, 1st, a daughter of—Ers∣kine of Dun, an antient family in the shire of Forfar, by whom he had no surviving issue. He married, 2dly, lady Christian Keith, daugh∣ter of Robert lord Keith,* 1.35 eldest son and heir to William earl marishal, by whom he had four sons and four daughters.

1. Andrew, his heir.

2. John Arbuthnot of Mandynes.

3. Alexander Arbuthnot of Pitcarles.

4. Robert, who dedicated himself to the service of the church, was parson of Arbuth∣not, and a man of great piety and learning.

1. Daughter, was married to—Cleph∣an of Carslogie.

2.—, married to—Straiton of Laurieston.

3.—, married to—Seymour of Balyordie.

4.—, married to—Strachan of Brighton.

Robert of that ilk married,* 1.36 3dly, Helen, daughter of—Clephan of Carslogie, an antient family in the shire of Fife, by whom he had three sons and four daughters.

1. David Arbuthnot of Findowrie.

2. James Arbuthnot of Blackstoun.

3. Hugh Arbuthnot of Auchterforfar.

1. Daughter,—, was married to— Mortimer of Craigievar, in Aberdeenshire.

2.—, married to—Ogilvie of Bal∣four, in the county of Forfar.

3.—, married to—Lindsay of Barnyards.

4.—, married to—Ogilvy of Balnaboth.

He died in October 1579, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest son,

XV. ANDREW ARBUTHNOT, dominus ejusdem, who was a man of great prudence and industry, and made several new acquisi∣tions to his estate,* 1.37 even in his father's life∣time, viz. the baronies of Arrat, Pitforthy,

&c. &c. for all which he got charters under the great seal, anno 1553, &c. &c.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of sir A∣lexander Carnegie of Kinnaird,* 1.38 ancestor of the earl of Southesk, by whom he had three sons and a daughter.

1. Sir Robert, his heir.

2. James Arbuthnot of Arrat, who mar∣ried a daughter of—Livingstone of Du∣nipace, by whom he had two sons, viz. sir Robert Arbuthnot of Arrat, who succeeded to the estate of Arbuthnot upon his uncle's decease, and James, tutor of Arbuthnot.

3. Patrick Arbuthnot of Chappletoun.

His daughter, Elizabeth, was married to —Fraser of Dores.

He died in an advanced age, anno 1606, and was succeeded by his son,

XVI. Sir ROBERT ARBUTHNOT of that ilk, who was a man of great parts, both na∣tural and acquired; and that his royal master had a just notion of his integrity and abilities,* 1.39 appears from his majesty's letter to him, (still extant) in relation to the composing of differences at a general convention, which the king had appointed to meet at Lithgow in July 1608.

He married lady Mary Keith, daughter of William lord Keith,* 1.40 son and heir apparent of William earl marishal, by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of George earl of Errol, but dying without issue anno 1615, the estate of Ar∣buthnot develved upon his nephew,

XVII. Sir ROBERT ARBUTHNOT of that ilk, who was eldest son of his brother James Arbuthnot of Arrat, as before noticed. He, having got a liberal education both at home and abroad, by the care of his uncle, return∣ed from his travels with the character of a polite and accomplished gentleman, and made a very considerable figure in several parlia∣ments of king James VI. and king Charles I.

He married, 1st, lady Margaret Keith, daughter of George earl marishal,* 1.41 but she dy∣ing soon thereafter, by her he had no issue.

He married, 2dly, a daughter of Simon lord Lovat, by Jean his wife, daughter of James lord Down, by whom he had four sons and three daughters.

1. Sir Robert, afterwards viscount of Ar∣buthnot.

2. Andrew Arbuthnot of Fiddes.

3. Alexander, a young gentleman of great courage and loyalty, who was killed at the battle of Dumbar, anno 1650.

4. Simon Arbuthnot of Catterlin.

1. Daughter, Jean, married to sir Alex∣ander Burnet of Leyes.

2. Margaret, married to sir Alexander Carnegie of Pittarrow.

3. Janet, married to William Keith of Hallgreen.

He died in 1633, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XVIII. Sir ROBERT ARBUTHNOT miles, dominus ejusdem.* 1.42 He always adhered firmly to the interest of his majesty king Charles I. who, for his faithful services, first conferred the honour of knighthood upon him, and then raised him to the dignity of the peerage, by the titles of viscount of Arbuthnot,* 1.43 and lord Innerbervie, by letters patent to his heirs∣male, dated 16th November 1641.

He married, 1st, lady Marjory Carnegie, daughter of David earl of Southesk, by whom he had a son,

Robert, his heir,—and a daughter,

Margaret, married to sir John Forbes of Monimusk in Aberdeenshire.

He married, 2dly, Catharine, daughter of Hugh lord Lovat, by whom he had another son, and a daughter.

His son, Alexander Arbuthnot of Knox, mar∣ried Jean, daughter of Patrick Scot of Rossie, Esq, by whom he had a son and successor,

Alexander Arbuthnot of Knox, one of the commissioners of excise in the reign of king George II. who married Janet, daughter of John Ronald of Larnie, Esq; by whom he had two sons,

1. Robert, married to Elizabeth, daughter of John Riddle of Grange, Esq; by whom he hath three sons, Alexander, John, and Robert.

2. Archibald, married to Margaret Lees, by whom he hath two sons, Romeo and Ar∣chibald.

The viscount's daughter, Anne, married William Forbes of Ludquhairn, in Aber∣deenshire.

He died in the year 1659, and was suc∣ceeded by his eldest son,

XIX. ROBERT, second viscount of Ar∣buthnot, who married, 1st, lady Elizabeth Keith, daughter of William earl marishal, by lady Elizabeth Seton his wife, daughter of George earl of Winton, by whom he had a son,

Robert, his heir,—and a daughter,

Margaret, married to sir Thomas Burnet of Leyes.

He married, 2dly, Catharine, daughter of Robert Gordon of Pitlurg and Straloch, by whom he had three sons and three daughters:

1. Mr. John Arbuthnot of Fordun, ancestor of the present viscount of Arbuthnot, of whom afterwards,

2. Mr. Alexander, who changed his sir∣name to Maitland, on account of his mar∣riage with Jean, eldest daughter and sole heir∣ess of sir Charles Maitland of Pitrichie, and was one of the barons of his majesty's ex∣chequer in Scotland.

3. Mr. Thomas.

1. Daughter, Catharine, married, 1st, to Mr. Robert Gordon of Clunie, and, 2dly, to David Riccart of Riccartoun.

2. Anne, married to Mr. John Horn of Westerhall, advocate.

3. Helen, married, 1st, to John Macfar∣lane of that ilk; and, 2dly, to Mr. John Spotswood of that ilk, advocate.

All of them had issue.

He died in 1684, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

XX. ROBERT, third viscount of Arbuth∣not, who married lady Anne Sutherland, daughter of George earl of Sutherland, by lady Jean Wemyss, daughter of David earl of Wemyss, by whom he had two sons and four daughters.

1. Robert, his heir.

2. John, viscount of Arbuthnot, who suc∣ceeded his brother.

1. Daughter, Jean, married to captain Crawfurd of Camlurg.

2. Anne.

3. Mary.

4. Margaret. which three last died without issue.

And dying in 1692, was succeeded by his eldest son,

XXI. ROBERT, fourth viscount of Ar∣buthnot, a man of great parts and expectati∣on, but died unmarried anno 1710, and was succeeded by his brother,

XXI. JOHN, fifth viscount of Arbuthnot, a man of great honour and probity, who mar∣ried Jean, daughter of William Morison of Prestongrange; and dying without issue in 1756, his estate and honours devolved upon his cousin John Arbuthnot, son and heir of Mr. John Arbuthnot of Fordun, to whom we now return.

XX. Mr. JOHN ARBUTHNOT of For∣dun, first son of the second marriage of Ro∣bert second viscount of Arbuthnot, by Catha∣rine, daughter of Robert Gordon of Pitlurg, married Margaret Falconer, daughter of sir James Falconer of Phesdo, one of the sena∣tors of the college of justice, by whom he had a numerous issue, of whom two sons and five daughters are still alive.

1. James, a banker in Edinburgh, who died unmarried.

2. John, who succeeded to the estate and honours of Arbuthnot, upon the death of the fifth viscount; as before observed.

3. Doctor Thomas Arbuthnot of Ballglessie, physician in Montrose, who married a daugh∣ter of—Forbes of Thornton, in the coun∣ty of Kincardine, and hath issue.

1. Daughter, Margaret.

2. Mary, married to John Douglas of Tul∣liwhillie, and hath issue.

3. Jean.

4. Ann.

5. Catharine, married to James More of Invernettie.

XXI. JOHN, sixth viscount of Arbuthnot, married, 1st, May Douglas, daughter and co-heiress of—Douglas of Bridgeford, by whom he hath no surviving issue.

He married, 2dly, Jean, daughter of A∣lexander Arbuthnot of Findourie, descended of David Arbuthnot, eldest son of the second marriage of Robert Arbuthnot of that ilk, (No. XIV. of this account), by whom he hath issue three sons and two daughters.

1. Robert, master of Arbuthnot.

2. John.

3. Hugh.

1. Daughter, Charlot.

2. Margaret.

ARMS.

Azure, a crescent between three stars, argent.

CREST; on a wreath, a peacock's head couped proper.

SUPPORTERS; two wyverns vert, spout∣ing fire.

MOTTO; laus Deo.

CHIEF SEATS.

At Arbuthnot, in the shire of Kincardine, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Sir George Mackenzie's baronage of Scotl. M. S. in the law∣yers library, Edinburgh.
• * 1.2

  Chartul. of Arbroath. Ib.
• * 1.3

  Original de∣creet penes vicecomitem de Arbuthnot, insert in Nis∣bet's appen∣dix, page 87.
• * 1.4

  Chartul. of St. Andrews, penes Wal∣terum Mac∣farlane de e∣odem.
• * 1.5

  Chartul. of Arbroath.
• * 1.6

  Larger Char∣tulary of Ar∣broath in the lawyers lib∣rary, Edin.
• * 1.7

  Orig. et in∣crement. fa∣miliae Ar∣buthnoticae penes vice∣comitem de Arbuthnot.
• * 1.8

  Orig. et in∣erement. fa∣miliae Ar∣buthnoticae.
• * 1.9

  Ibidem.
• * 1.10

  Ibidem.
• * 1.11

  Chart. in ar∣chivis regis Dav.
• * 1.12

  Chart. penes comitem de Morton.
• * 1.13

  Sir George Mackenzie's baronage, &c.
• * 1.14

  Orig. et in∣crement. fa∣miliae Arbuth∣noticae.
• * 1.15

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.16

  Ibid. Orig. et increment. familiae Ar∣buthnoticae.
• * 1.17

  Ibidem.
• * 1.18

  Chart. penes vicecom. de Arbuthnot.
• * 1.19

  Large Chart. of Arbroath. page 74.
• * 1.20

  Chart. pe∣nes vicecom. de Arbuth∣not.
• * 1.21

  Ibidem.
• * 1.22

  Ibidem.
• * 1.23

  Nisbet's ap∣pend. p. 89.
• * 1.24

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.25

  Records of parliament in the lawyers library.
• * 1.26

  Haddington's collections.
• * 1.27

  Ibid. and Nisbet, p. 90.
• * 1.28

  Ibidem.
• * 1.29

  Chart. in pub. archiv. ad ann. 1553 et 1555.
• * 1.30

  Ibidem.
• * 1.31

  Ibidem.
• * 1.32

  Stuart's hist. of the royal family, page 172.
• * 1.33

  Chart. penes comitem de Panmure.
• * 1.34

  Chart. in pub. archiv. inter 1550 &•• 1570.
• * 1.35

  Ibidem.
• * 1.36

  Ibidem.
• * 1.37

  Ibidem.
• * 1.38

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.39

  The original, penes vice∣com. de Ar∣buthnot, Co∣pie 112. and Nisbet's ap∣pendix, p. 92.
• * 1.40

  Chart. in pub. archiv.
• * 1.41

  Ibidem.
• * 1.42

  Ibidem.
• * 1.43

  Register of patents in the Chancery.