King's was founded in 1495 by Bishop William Elphinstone under a papal Bull from Pope Alexander IV.

Clan Elphinstone

The lands of Airth lie close to the barony of Plean in Stirlingshire. The family which took their name from this land, and probably erected the first castle at Plean, were known as ‘de Erth’. The de Erths ended in an heiress, and the lands which were acquired by her husband near Tranent in East Lothian were probably named in memory of her family. The name first appears in East Lothian in a deed of about 1235 by Alanus de Swinton, where mention is made of the ‘de Elfinstun.’ de Swinton’s son, John, is probably the same John who acquired the lands, to become John de Elfinstun. However, according to one tradition, the family claimed descent from Flemish knights called Helphenstein.

Sir John de Elfinstun married Margaret of Seton, the niece of Robert the Bruce. A descendant, William Elfinstun, became rector of Kirkmichael at the age of twenty-five. He studied Civil and Canon Law in Paris, eventually becoming Professor of Law in that university. In 1484 he was appointed Bishop of Aberdeen and later Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, a post he held until the death of James III in June 1489. In 1494 he obtained from Pope Alexander VI a bull for the founding of a university in Aberdeen. King’s College was built in 1500. Besides building and designing a university, he left a large sum to erect and maintain a bridge across the River Dee at Aberdeen. After the death of James IV at Flodden, the bishop quit his see and left for Edinburgh to assist in restoring peace to his ruined country. He died soon after his arrival in the capital in October 1514. He left his compilations on Canon Law and other writings which can be found in the College in Aberdeen. .... more

• A1. Eadwulf, 1st Lord of Bamburgh, High Reeve of Bamburgh, d:912;
  • B1. Alfred, 2nd Lord of Bamburgh, lvd:926;
    • C1. Oswulf, Earl of Northumbria, lvd:965;
      • D1. Waltheof, Earl of Bernicia, lvd:1006;
        • E1. Uchtred, 5th Lord of Bamburgh, d:1016, m. Aecgfrida;
          • F1. Gospatrick;
            • G1. Uchtred;
              • H1. Edulf;
                • I1. Liulf of Bamburgh, Sheriff of Northumbria;
                  • J1. Udard of Bamburgh, Sheriff of Northumbria;
                    • K1. Sir Ernulf 'Miles' of Swinton, lvd:1166;
                      • L1. Cospatrick of Swinton, lvd:1177;
                        • M1. Alan de Swinton;
                          • N1. John de Elphinstone, lvd:1248;
                            <=========
  • O1. Alexander de Elphinstone;
    • P1. Sir John de Elphinstone, m. Margaret Seton;  ==>  Clan Seton
      • Q1. Alexander Elphinstone;
        • R1. Alexander Elphinstone;
          • S1. Sir William Elphinstone;
            • T1. William Elphinstone, d:1486, Canon of Glasgow, Archdeacon of Teviotdale;
              • U1. William Elphinstone, Bishop of Aberdeen, Chancellor of Scotland;
            • T2. Sir Henry Elphinstone of Pippendreich, m. Jean Cunninghame;
              • U1. James Elphinstone, m. Isabella Bruce;  ==>  Clan Bruce
                <=========
  • V1. Sir John Elphinstone of Pippendreich, m. Margaret Oliphant;  ==>  Clan Oliphant
    • W1. Alexander Elphinstone, 1st Lord, d:1513 Flodden, m. Elizabeth Barlow;
      • X1. Alexander Elphinstone, 2nd Lord, lvd:1510/1547, m. Catharine Erskin;  ==>  Clan Erskin
        • Y1. Robert Elphinstone, 3rd Lord, lvd:1530/1602, m. Margaret Drummond;  ==>  Clan Drummond
          • L1. Agnes Elphinstone, b:1559, m. Sir Walter Ogilvy;  <==  Clan Ogilvy