Clan Erskine

The Erskines were originally a Lowland family who inherited through marriage the Earldom of Mar, the most ancient of Celtic earldoms, and thus became allied to the principal Highland families. Their name comes from the fertile lands of Erskine in Renfrewshire, on the south banks of the River Clyde, and derives from the Brythonnic Celtic (Welsh) 'y ysigyn', the green slope, which perfectly describes the topography. Although the barony of Erskine does not appear among the lands granted by Malcolm IV, to Walter, High Steward of Scotland, it is likely the Erskines were of native stock and became vassals of the Stewarts. The first on record is Henry de Ereskyn whose signature appears as witness to a charter of Paisley Abbey in 1226 A.D., in the reign of Alexander II. His castle stood where the new Erskine bridge scans the Clyde.

Sir Robert de Erskine of that Ilk, 'the worthy, wyse and lele', was High Chamberlain of Scotland in the late 14th century. He supported the cause of David II against the resurgent Balliol faction, and later, in 1357, helped secure the king's release from captivity in England. He was rewarded with the important office of Constable of Stirling Castle and in 1368 was granted the lands of Alloa in Clackmannanshire where he built a fortified house. All of these are still held by his descendants today. He was also Ambassador to France, England and the Papal See. .... more

Alexander, third Lord Erskine, constructed a massive tower in 1497 at Alloa, which was to be the seat of the chiefs for the next three hundred years.

• A1. Henry de Erskin, b:1190 Mar, Aberdeenshire;
  • B1. Sir John, lvd:1217/1271;
    • C1. Sir John, lvd:1249/1296, m. N. MacGilronan;
      • D1. Sir William, lvd:1274/1331;
        • E1. Allen Erskine, d:1400, m. Isabel Inchmartin;
          • F1. Isabel Erskine, m. Sir John Wemyss;  <==  Clan Wemyss
        • E2. Sir Robert Erskine, lvd:1310/1385, m. Beatrix de Lindsay;  ==>  Clan Lindsay
          • F1. Mary Erskine, m. Sir Robert Oliphant;  <==  Clan Oliphant
          • F2. Sir Thomas Erskine, m. Janet Keith;  ==>  Clan Keith
            • G1. Elizabeth Erskine, m. Duncan Wemyss;  <==  Clan Wemyss
            • G2. Sir Robert Erskine, d:1452, m1. Elizabeth Lindsay, m2. N. Stewart;  ==>  Clan Stewart
              • H1. [m1] Christian Erskine, m. Patrick Graham;  <==  Clan Graham
              • H2. [m2] Sir Thomas Erskine, 2nd Lord, m. Janet Douglas;  ==>  Clan Douglas
                • I1. Muriella Erskine, d:1452, m. William Keith;  <==  Clan Keith
                • I2. Alexander Erskine, 3rd Lord, d:1509, m. Christian Crichton;
                  • J1. Robert Erskine, 4th Lord, m. Isabella Campbell;
                    • K1. John Erskine, 5th Lord, d:1552, m. Margaret Campbell;  ==>  Clan Campbell
                      • L1. Catherine Erskine, lvd:1525, m. Alexander Elphinstone;  <==  Clan Elphinstone