Colban, Earl of Fife facts for kids

Arms possibly borne by Earl Colban, as shown (without colour) on his seal

Colban, Earl of Fife (b. c. 1247–1253, d. 1270/2) was ruler of Fife in Scotland. The son of Earl Malcolm and his wife Elen ferch Llywelyn, he succeeded his father while still a teenager on Malcolm's death in 1266. He had been knighted by King Alexander III in 1264.

His wife's name was Anna, and she was likely one of the three daughters and coheiresses of Sir Alan Durward. Colban and Anna had a son, Duncan, who succeeded as Earl of Fife at the age of eight, and a daughter, Marjory, who married Alan, Earl of Menteith. Colban died while still a young man. His date of death is disputed, and depends on what evidence one interprets. G.W.S. Barrow gives 1272, but Bannerman gives 1270.