Clan Hamilton

Taking the name of a town in England, a Norman named Walter FitzGilbert de Hambeldon (some places spelled de Hamildon and others de Homildon), moved to Renfrewshire. It was Walter's son David, by some accounts, that first spelled his name in the modern form. Other accounts credit his grandsons as the first to adopt the modern spelling. In any case, the spelling of names has taken many different forms over the ages, even into more modern times.

The story of the Hamiltons is a story of bravery, romance, intrigue, splendor, ambition, and yes, even treachery. It can be rightly claimed that the history of this great family is the history of Scotland. The Hamiltons were the most important of the Lowland clans. The current Hamilton 'chief', Angus Douglas Hamilton, 15th Duke of Hamilton, is still the Premier Duke of Scotland, the Hereditary Keeper of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and a member of the Royal Company of Archers. At one time they aspired to the crown itself, as serious rivals to the Stuarts. Though they did not lead the same lifestyle as the Highland clans, their hereditary chiefship, network of cadet houses with dependents, and their distinctive tartan make it clear they were truly a Scottish Clan, with the sense of blood kinship and family loyalties which are inseparable from this concept. ... more

• A1 ~ Gilbert de Hamilton, m. Isabella Randolph;  ==>  Randolph family
  • B1 ~ Walter FitzGilbert de Hamilton, 1st of Cadzow, lvd:1296/1323, m. Mary Gordon;  ==>  Clan Gordon
    • C1 ~ Sir David FitzWalter de Hamilton, 2nd of Cadzow, d:1374, m. Margaret of Ross;  ==>  Clan Ross
      • D1 ~ Sir David Hamilton, 3rd of Cadzow, m. Jonetta Keith;  ==>  Clan Keith
        • E1 ~ Sir John Hamilton, 4th of Cadzow, m. Janet Douglas;  ==>  Clan Douglas
          • F1 .. Catherine Hamilton, m. William Baillie;  <==  Clan Baliol
          • F2 ~ Sir James Hamilton, 5th of Cadzow, m. Janet Livingston;  ==>  Clan Livingston
            • G1 ~ Mary Hamilton, m. Sir William Keith;  <==  Clan Keith
            • G2 .. James, 1st Lord Hamilton, d:1479, m. Mary Stewart;
              • H1 .. James, 1st Earl of Arran, d:1529, m. Elizabeth Home;
                • I1 .. James, Duke of Chatelherault, d:1575, m. Margaret Douglas;
                  • J1 .. John, 1st Marquess of Hamilton, lvd:153/1604, m. Margaret Lyon, p. N.;
                    • K1 .. [p]: Margaret Hamilton, lvd:1625, m. Patrick Colquhoun;  <==  Clan Colquhoun