MAITLAND
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A Lowland family who rose to become Dukes of Lauderdale and played important roles in Scottish affairs for generations.Sir John Maitland adhered to the Queens party in 1567 and his office was forfeit. He was reappointed a Lord of Session in 1581 and became Secretary of State for life in 1584 with the title of Vice-Chancellor. He was created 1st Lord of Thirlestane. His son, the 2nd Lord, became President of the Council and was created Earl of Lauderdale in 1624.
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MALCOLM
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The name means a devotee of St Columba, and four Scottish Kings carried this name. Malcolumb is recorded in a charter of 1094. John Malcolm of Balbedie, Lochore and Innertiel was appointed Chamberlain of Fife in 1641. His eldest son was created a Nova Scotia baronet in 1665, and his third son became Senator of the College of Justice with the name of Lord Lochore.
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MATHESON
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The name means 'Son of the Bear'. the clan is an early offshoot of the Celtic Earls of Ross and is said to have come from Lochalsh. The Mathesons were involved in the 16th century with other clans who settled in Lochalsh, and in particular the MacDonnells of Glengarry and the Mackenzies of Kintail. Alexander Matheson of Lochalsh was created a baronet in 1882.
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MAXWELL
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Sir John Maxwell, Chamberlain of Scotland in the 13th century, seems to be the first recorded of the name. The Maxwells held lands in Annandale and became Lords Maxwell and Earls of Nithsdale. The branch of the family descended from the Earls of Nithsdale is the Maxwells of Pollok, on the outskirts of Glasgow.
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MENZIES
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A Norman Family who came from Mayneris, near Rouen. The earliest definitive Chief was Sir Robert de Meygners who became Chamberlain of Scotland in 1249. Extensive lands from Glendochart to Aberfeldy were granted to Sir Alexander Meygners, son of Sir Robert, for services to Robert bruce. bruce later bestowed upon Sir Alexander the baronies of Glendochart and Durisdeer.
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MONCREIFFE
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The name is taken from the lands of Moncreiffe which were gifted by Alexander II in 1248 to Sir Matthew Moncreiffe, who also held lands in Strathearn, Fife and Atholl, and who possibly descended from Duncan I's brother, Malcolm(killed 1045.
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MONTGOMERIE
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The first of this family in Scotland appears to be Robert de Mundegumerie, who died about 1177. He was granted Eaglesham in Renfrewshire and his descendant married the heiress of Sir Hugh de Eglinton. Sir Alexander Montgomerie was created 1st Lord Montgomerie in 1449. After the fall of James IV at Flodden, the 3rd Lord nominated one of the Queen-Dowager's Councillors and was created Earl of Eglinton in 1508.
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MORRISON
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Said to be of Scandanavian origin, possibly from a natural son of a King of Norway who was cast ashore on the Isle of Lewis on a piece of driftwood. The Morrisons held the Hereditary brieveship (Judges of the Island) of Lewis until 1613.For their various services, they were given the lands around Ness in Lewis.
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MOWAT
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Settled in Scotland in the reign of King David I, they were of Norman origin and moved to the North East of Scotland, Orkney and Shetland. Hatton Castle at Turriff, built in the 13th century, belonged to the Mowats until 1723. The first record of the name in Scotland appears to be Robert de Montealto, who arrived from Wales, where the family had first settled.
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MUIR
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Thomas de la More was executor of the will of Dervorguilla de Balliol, the heiress daughter of Alan, Earl of Galloway, and mother of King John Balliol, chosen by Edward I of England as King of Scots. The Muirs of More held lands in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Beltone in Berwickshire.
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MUNRO
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A Ross-Shire Clan, ancient vassals of the Earls of Ross and originally from North Moray. The first Chief was Hugh who lived in the 12th century. William 12th of Foulis, was knighted by James IV. The clan lands near Dingwall were called Ferindonald, after the supposed founder of the clan. The Munros supported the Government in the Jacobite risings. Foulis Castle, north of Dingwall, is the eighteenth century seat of the Chief.
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MURRAY
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Freskin de Moravia of Duffus, in Moray, aquired lands from David I, his ancestor. He appears to have been chieftain of the Duffus branch of the Royal House of Moray. William de Moravia, his grandson, married the heiress of Bothwell and Drumsagard in Lanarkshire, and Smaillholm in Berwickshire. From their son descend the Murrays of Tullibardine, ancestors of the Dukes of Atholl.
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NAPIER
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A name recorded in Scotland as early as 1140, but the heraldry of the Napiers of Merchiston shows a descent from the Lennox family. The Napiers of Napier in Renfrewshire claim this descent and the is said to derive from Alexander III's statement after a battle that 'Lennox had na peer', in other words, no equal.
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NICHOLSON
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The name arose in the Lowlands of Scotland around Dumfries and in Glasgow, but it is also found in the islands of Skye and Lewis, as a form of MacNichol. In 1629, John Nicholson of Lasswade was created a baronet of Nova Scotia, and he is said to be a descendant of the Dean of brechin in Angus.
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OGILVY
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Gillibride, second son of Ghillechriost, Earl of Angus, is ancestor of this clan. He received the barony of Ogilvy in the parish of Glamis in about 1163. Sir Patrick de Ogilvy acquired the lands of Kettins in Angus and his Descendant, Sir Walter, was appointed the Hereditary Sheriff of Angus.
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