Duke of Abercorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dukedom of Abercorn |
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Arms of Duke of Abercorn: Quarterly: 1st & 4th, gules three cinquefoils pierced ermine (for Hamilton); 2nd & 3rd, argent, Argent, a lymphad with the sails furled proper, and oars in action sable (for Arran) in the point of honour and over all, an inescutcheon azure with charged three fleur-de-lys or, and surmounted by a French ducal coronet (for Châtellerault)
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| Creation date | 10 August 1868 |
| Monarch | Victoria |
| Peerage | Peerage of Ireland |
| First holder | James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Abercorn |
| Present holder | James Hamilton, 5th Duke |
| Heir apparent | James Hamilton, Marquess of Hamilton |
| Remainder to | The 1st Duke's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten |
| Subsidiary titles |
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| Seat(s) | Baronscourt |
| Motto | Sola Nobilitas Virtus ("The only nobility is virtue") |
The title Duke of Abercorn is a very important noble title in Ireland. It was first created in 1868. This special title was given to James Hamilton, 2nd Marquess of Abercorn. Even though the Dukedom is an Irish title, it is named after Abercorn, a place in West Lothian, Scotland.
The Duke of Abercorn also holds several other noble titles. These include four titles in Peerage of Scotland and two in the Peerage of Great Britain. This makes the Duke one of only three nobles who have titles in all three of these important peerages. The Duke of Abercorn also claims a French title, Duke of Châtellerault, which was created way back in 1548.
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History of the Abercorn Title
The story of the Abercorn titles began with James VI of Scotland (who was also James I of England). He gave the title Lord Paisley to Claud Hamilton. This was a reward for Claud's strong loyalty.
Claud's son, James Hamilton, received the title Lord Abercorn in 1603. A few years later, in 1606, he was made Earl of Abercorn. He also received other titles like Lord of Paisley, Hamilton, Mountcastell and Kilpatrick.
More Titles and Changes
The 2nd Earl of Abercorn gained another title in 1617. He became Lord Hamilton, Baron of Strabane, in the Peerage of Ireland. Later, this title was passed to his younger brother.
In 1691, the 4th Earl, Claud Hamilton, lost his titles in Ireland for a short time. But his brother, Charles Hamilton, 5th Earl of Abercorn, managed to get them back in 1692.
The 6th Earl of Abercorn received even more titles in 1701. He became Baron Mountcastle and Viscount Strabane. The 7th Earl was the first to become a Privy Counsellor. This meant he was a trusted advisor to the King or Queen.
In 1786, the 8th Earl was made Viscount Hamilton. His nephew then became the Marquess of Abercorn in 1790. This Marquess had also served in the House of Commons as a MP. He was also made a Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1805. This is a very high honor.
The Dukedom is Created
The 2nd Marquess of Abercorn was a very important person. He served as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland twice. This was a top government job in Ireland. During his first time as Lord Lieutenant, in 1868, he was given the highest title: Duke of Abercorn. He also became Marquess of Hamilton.
The Dukes of Abercorn continued to be important figures. The 2nd Duke also became a Knight of the Garter. The 3rd Duke was an MP and served as Governor of Northern Ireland. He also received the Order of St Patrick and the Garter.
Today, the current Duke is James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn. He is also a Knight of the Garter.
Family Connections
The title Marquess of Hamilton is used by the person who is next in line to become Duke. The title Viscount Strabane is used by the person who is next in line after that.
The Dukes of Abercorn also claim the French title Duc de Châtellerault. This is because they are direct male descendants of the 2nd Earl of Arran. He was given this French title in 1548 by the King of France.
A famous person connected to this family was Diana, Princess of Wales. She was a great-granddaughter of the 3rd Duke of Abercorn.
The Family Home
The family home of the Dukes of Abercorn is Baronscourt. It's a beautiful old country house in Northern Ireland. It's near a village called Newtownstewart. The family has traditionally been buried at the Baronscourt Parish Church.
Dukes of Abercorn (1868)
- James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn (1811–1885): He was the first Duke, created in 1868.
- James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Abercorn (1838–1913): The eldest son of the 1st Duke.
- James Albert Edward Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn (1869–1953): The eldest son of the 2nd Duke. His daughter was the grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales.
- James Edward Hamilton, 4th Duke of Abercorn (1904–1979): The elder son of the 3rd Duke.
- James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn (born 1934): The elder son of the 4th Duke and the current Duke.
See also
- Duchess of Abercorn (disambiguation)
- Duke of Hamilton
- Earl of Arran (Scotland)
- Hamilton baronets
- Proby baronets of Elton Hall
- Clan Douglas
