Balfour baronets facts for kids
A baronetcy is a special title of honor in the United Kingdom. It's like being a knight, but the title can be passed down through families, usually from father to son. It's a bit like a noble title, but it's not part of the peerage (like a Duke or a Baron).
The Balfour family, known as Clan Balfour, has had three different baronet titles created for its members over time. One was created a long time ago in Scotland, and two others were created more recently in the United Kingdom. Today, only one of these titles still exists, and it's connected to another title called Baron Riverdale.
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The Oldest Balfour Baronetcy: Denmiln and Kinnaird (1633)
The very first Balfour baronetcy was created on December 22, 1633. It was given to a man named James Balfour from Denmylne in Scotland. This title was called the "Balfour Baronetcy, of Denmiln and Kinnaird."
Sir James Balfour was a very important person. He was the Lord Lyon King of Arms from 1630 to 1654. This role meant he was in charge of all things related to coats of arms and noble titles in Scotland.
When Sir James's son, the second Baronet, died young in 1673, the direct family line for the title ended. His uncle, Sir Alexander Balfour, became the third Baronet. After that, the title was passed down from father to son for many generations.
However, in 1793, the ninth Baronet, Sir Patrick Balfour, passed away. After his death, the baronetcy became "dormant." This means no one claimed the title, and it's not actively used anymore.
Who Were the Denmiln and Kinnaird Baronets?
Here are the people who held this baronet title:
- Sir James Balfour, 1st Baronet (1600–1657)
- Sir Robert Balfour, 2nd Baronet (1652–1673)
- Sir Alexander Balfour, 3rd Baronet (1604–1675)
- Sir Michael Balfour, 4th Baronet (1634–1698)
- Sir Michael Balfour, 5th Baronet (1676–1709)
- Sir Michael Balfour, 6th Baronet (died 1750)
- Sir Michael Balfour, 7th Baronet (1725–1759)
- Sir John Balfour, 8th Baronet (1728–1772)
- Sir Patrick Balfour, 9th Baronet (1729–1793)
The Balfour Baronetcy: Albury Lodge (1911)
A second Balfour baronetcy was created much later, on February 3, 1911. This one was for Robert Balfour of Albury Lodge in Hertfordshire, England.
Sir Robert Balfour was a Liberal Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is someone elected by people to represent them in the country's government, similar to a representative in other countries. He was an MP for the area of Partick from 1906 to 1918, and then for Glasgow Partick from 1918 to 1922.
Sir Robert had two sons. When he passed away in 1929, this baronetcy either became "extinct" (meaning it ended completely) or "dormant" (meaning no one claimed it).
Who Was the Albury Lodge Baronet?
- Sir Robert Balfour, 1st Baronet (1844–1929)
The Balfour Baronetcy: Sheffield (1929)
The third Balfour baronetcy was created on June 26, 1929. This title was given to Arthur Balfour from Sheffield in Yorkshire, England.
A few years later, in 1935, Arthur Balfour was given an even higher title: he became Baron Riverdale. This means the baronetcy became a "subsidiary title," which is a lesser title held by someone who also has a higher one.
To learn more about this specific baronetcy and the Baron Riverdale title, you can check out the main article on Baron Riverdale.
