The oldest son of William and Mariota (Hamilton) Muirhead, John, was born circa 1443. He bore the title of John Muirhead of Lauchope and Bullis, and was known as the (3rd) Laird of Muirhead in 1513 when on 09 September, upon Flodden Field, he gave his life guarding King James IV. {See the chapter titled: The Battle Of Flodden Field} Prior to his army career, John married Margaret Hepburn, the daughter of Patrick, Lord Hepburn of Haills. She was also a sister to Patrick, Earl of Bothwell. Margaret was born circa 1450. From their marriage issued one son, John, born in 1466.
On 28 April, 1494, at Wigtoun, John Murhed served as a witness to a charter.
During his lifetime, John Muirhead (3rd) of Lauchope and Bullis acquired a large amount of lands in the county of Galloway at the southern boundary of Scotland.
About the year 1486, John Muirhead, (4th) of Lauchope, the son of John and Margaret (Hepburn) Muirhead married Margaret Borthwick, daughter of Lord William Borthwick and his wife, Mariota. Margaret, a distant cousin of Mary, Queen of Scots, was born circa 1470. They gave birth to a son: James (5th) ‘of Lauchope’ about the year 1490. There is also a claim, by the Stark family, that John and Margaret gave birth to a second son, William (born circa 1520). According to Stark family tradition, John Muirhead, Laird of Lauchope, saved King James III from an attack by a bull; thereby receiving the honor of being granted the name “Stark” by the king. Only his youngest son, William, used that name as a surname. See the chapter titled The John Stark Legend in Part 5 of this volume (A Hodge-Podge Of Additional Topics), and also the genealogy of Aaron Starke of Connecticutt.
James Muirhead (5th) of Lauchope was born circa 1490. About 1509, he married Jean Fleming, who was two years his junior, the daughter of John, Lord Fleming, and Elizabeth Ross. From their union were born three sons and a daughter: James (6th) of Lauchope (born circa 1510), John of Shawfutte (born circa 1512), William (born circa 1518) and Margaret (born circa 1519). It is possible that there was also another son, named Thomas, born to James and Jean Muirhead. Certain court records, as will be seen later, refer to two brothers of James Muirhead of Lauchope being William and Thomas. (The Clan Muirhead Society database lists an additional daughter also, by the name of Jean, who is not mentioned in Walter Grossett’s / Nisbet’s genealogy nor in any other published genealogy.) (See below.)
The eldest son of James and Jean (Fleming) Muirhead, James Muirhead (6th) of Lauchope is considered to be the progenitor of the senior Muirhead of Lauchope line. His line ended in 1738, and the line begun by his brother, John of Shawfutte came into prominence as the senior Muirhead line. Although begun as Muirhead of Shawfutte, the line became known as Muirhead of Bredisholm through the acquisition of the estate of Bredisholm in Lanarkshire.
Bredisholm estate
~ Used with kind permission by Alan Dawson, Senior Researcher/Programmer
for the Centre for Digital Library Research, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland.
Margaret, the daughter of James and Jean (Fleming) Muirhead, married James Hamilton, 5th of Woodhall. James bore the title ‘Captain of Arran.’ The couple gave birth to a son: John, 6th of Woodhall.
John Hamilton, 6th of Woodhall, son of James and Margaret Hamilton, married Christian Kilsyth in the year 1595. They gave birth to: John (7th of Woodhall), James, and Christian.
John Hamilton, 7th of Woodhall, son of John and Christian Hamilton, married ----- Hamilton, a daughter of Hamilton of Orbiston.
Christian Hamilton, daughter of John and Christian Hamilton, married James Glen of Bara.
According to the Muirhead Clan database, (apparently from an LDS record submitted by Saxon James Bruce), Jean Muirhead, another daughter of James and Jean (Fleming) Muirhead, was born circa 1516. She married Matthew Hamilton around the year 1537. He was a son of Robert Hamilton and ----- Goodman of Glaister, and was born in 1512 at Torrance, Scotland. Matthew and Jean gave birth to: Robert; James, born 1538; Andrew, born 1548 at Westburn; Archibald; and Alexander. Matthew died in 1550.
James Hamilton, 7th of Torrance, son of Matthew and Jean Hamilton, married Catherine Hamilton. She was a daughter of David Hamilton, 2nd of Broomhill. They gave birth to eight children: Robert (8th of Torrance), James (of Aikenhead), John, Alexander, Matthew, Katherine, Anne (variously, Isabel), Elizabeth, and ----- (daughter).
Robert Hamilton, 8th of Torrance, son of James and Catherine Hamilton, married Beatrix Hamilton. She was a daughter of Andrew Hamilton of Peill. The couple gave birth to: Robert (9th of Torrance), James (of Sheills), Janet, Catherine, and ----- (daughter). Robert died in the year 1625. Beatrix died circa August, 1630.
Robert Hamilton, 9th of Torrance, son of Robert and Beatrix Hamilton, married Jean Porterfield. Jean, born in 1588, was a daughter of Alexander Porterfield of that ilk. Jean died in December, 1658.
James Hamilton, of Sheills, son of Robert and Beatrix Hamilton, held the title of 10th of Torrance – the last to hold the title. James was married twice, first to Anne Cunningham, a daughter of Cunningham of Craig. James and Anne gave birth to: Robert, and Anne. Robert died young. Anne married James Hamilton of Overscheills. Anne, the mother, died in May,1627. In 1630 James then married Anna Robertoun. They gave birth to: Robert, and two daughters.
Janet Hamilton, daughter of Robert and Beatrix Hamilton, married John Hamilton, 4th of Airdrie. John was born in 1569 and died in 1648.
Catherine Hamilton, daughter of Robert and Beatrix Hamilton, married James Lindsay of Overscheills.
The youngest daughter of Robert and Beatrix Hamilton married Gavin Blair circa 1636.
James Hamilton, of Aikenhead, son of James and Catherine Hamilton, married Elizabeth Adam. James served as Provost of Glasgow. He died circa 1633. The couple gave birth to: Robert, and a daughter.
Robert Hamilton, of Aikenhead, son of James and Elizabeth Hamilton, married and had one son: James (of Aikenhead).
James Hamilton, of Aikenhead, son of Robert and ----- Hamilton, married three times. His first wife was Anne Porterfield, daughter of John Porterfield of that ilk. The union resulted in the birth of twelve daughters. James’s second marriage to ----- ----, resulted in the birth of eight more daughters. The third marriage of James Hamilton was to Grizel Hamilton. She was a daughter of James Hamilton of Westport. James and Grizel gave birth to: James (of Aikenhead), four additional brothers and five sisters.
James Hamilton, of Aikenhead, son of James and Grizel Hamilton, married Marion Roberton on 12 January, 1759. Marion was a daughter of John Roberton of Earnock. They gave birth to: James (of Aikenhead, later of Holmehead); Anne, born 1770; John; Elizabeth; Marion; and Mary.
Anne Hamilton, daughter of James and Marion Hamilton, married David Marshall of Neilsland in 1803. Anne died on 01 February, 1865.
The unnamed daughter of James and Elizabeth Hamilton (Provost of Glasgow), married Sir William Mure of Rowallan.
Alexander Hamilton, son of James and Catherine Hamilton, married Ann Hamilton. They gave birth to a son: James. Alexander died circa 1646.
Matthew Hamilton, son of James and Catherine Hamilton, was married twice. His first marriage was to Elizabeth Lindsay, a daughter of James Lindsay of Glasgow, circa 02 June, 1608. They gave birth to two daughters: Agnes, born 1612; and Katherine, born 1615. Matthew’s second marriage was to Jonet Scott, a daughter of John Scott, circa 05 April, 1622. Matthew and Jonet gave birth to: Bessie, born 1622; James, born 1626; Jonet born and died 1628; Jonet, born 1629; Anna, born 1632; John, born 1634; Catherine, born 1636; and Margaret, born 1637.
Agnes Hamilton, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Hamilton, married Robert Robieson.
Bessie Hamilton, daughter of Matthew and Jonet Hamilton, married David Donald on 21 February, 1650.
Jonet Hamilton, daughter of Matthew and Jonet Hamilton, married Matthew Herbertson on 07 August, 1651.
Anna Hamilton, daughter of Matthew and Jonet Hamilton, married Thomas Blair circa 28 March, 1660.
Katherine Hamilton, daughter of James and Catherine Hamilton, married James Hamilton, minister of Hamilton. James died on 28 October, 1648.
Anne Hamilton, daughter of James and Catherine Hamilton, married Robert Hamilton, minister of Cathcart.
Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of James and Catherine Hamilton, married James Fleming of Glasgow.
The unnamed daughter of James and Catherine Hamilton, married John Lindsay of Southwood.
The third son of Matthew and Jean Hamilton, Andrew Hamilton, married ----- -----, and had issue of three sons: Gabriel, David and and unnamed one.
The eldest son of Andrew Hamilton, Gabriel (of Westburn), is believed to have married a woman by the name of Margaret Cunningham. She was a daughter of Sir Robert Cunningham of Gilbertfield. They gave birth to: Gabriel Jr., Archibald, James, Anne, Rebecca, and Elizabeth. Gabriel died in the year 1699.
Archibald Hamilton, of Westburn, son of Gabriel and Margaret Hamilton, was married twice. His first wife was ----- Hay, a daughter of Hay of Craignethan. Archibald’s second wife was Margaret Hamilton, a daughter of Claud Hamilton of Barnes. Archibald and Margaret gave birth to: Gabriel, Robert, and Ann.
Gabriel Hamilton, of Westburn, son of Archibald and Margaret Hamilton, married Agnes Dundas. Agnes was a daughter of George Dundas of Duddingston. Gabriel and Agnes gave birth to: Gabriel, born 1736; John (Hamilton-Dundas of Duddingston and Westburn), born 1745; Margaret; Christian; Mary Ann; Archibald; Hope Archibald; George; David; two other sons; Graham Christian; Agnes; and Magdalen Elizabeth.
John Hamilton-Dundas, of Duddingston and Westburn, son of Gabriel and Agnes Hamilton, married Grizel Hamilton. Grizel was a daughter of John Hamilton of Barnes. They gave birth to: Gabriel (Hamilton-Dundas of Duddington), Agnes, John, David, James, George, Marion, Agnes, Margaret, Magdalen Elizabeth, and Eleanor.
Gabriel Hamilton-Dundas of Duddington, son of John and Grizel Hamilton-Dundas, married Isabella Bryson Dennistoun. She was a daughter of James Dennistoun of Dennistoun and Colgrain.
Agnes Hamilton, daughter of John and Grizel Hamilton-Dundas, married ----- Cadell of Grange.
Margaret Hamilton, daughter of Gabriel and Agnes Hamilton, married ----- Nasmyth. Mr. Nasmyth served as a Captain in the Royal Navy.
Christian Hamilton, daughter of Gabriel and Agnes Hamilton, married Charles Napier of Merchiston Hall on 02 July, 1777. Charles was born on 19 November, 1731. He died on 09 December, 1807.
Mary Ann Hamilton, daughter of Gabriel and Agnes Hamilton, married Robert Gray of Carntyne.
Ann Hamilton, daughter of Archibald and Margaret Hamilton, married James Millar circa 1732. James was a minister of Hamilton.
Elizabeth Hamilton, daughter of Gabriel and Margaret Hamilton, married James Hamilton of Newton (a cadet of Silterton Hill).
Rebecca Hamilton, daughter of Gabriel and Margaret Hamilton, married Walter Buchanan of Moss and Giliestoun on 30 April, 1696.
An unnamed daughter of Gabriel and Margaret Hamilton, married A. Lang of Overton.
An unnamed son of Andrew and ----- Hamilton, married and gave birth to a son: Archibald. Archibald became a minister; he was known as Archibald Hamilton of Cambuslang. He, in turn, married and gave birth to a son: Archibald, of Glasgow.
Archibald Hamilton of Glasgow, in turn, married and gave birth to a son: Gilbert, who served as Provost of Glasgow.
The youngest son of Andrew and ----- Hamilton, David, married Annah Jaxson. They gave birth to: David, Jr., born 1664; Solomon, born 10 August, 1666; Gabriel, born 1668; Abial, born 1670; Jonathan, born 20 December, 1672; Abel, born between 1674 and 1676; and Jonas, born 1676. Of these children, only Abel is known to have married. His wife was Deborah ----, born in 1676.
