Earl of Angus facts for kids

The flag of the present County of Angus, showing the arms of different families.

The Mormaer or Earl of Angus was a very important leader in the medieval Scottish area called Angus. Think of a mormaer as an early type of earl, a powerful noble who ruled a region. This special title is now held by the Duke of Hamilton. It's also used as a courtesy title for the Duke's eldest grandson, meaning they get to use it as a sign of their family's history.

History of the Earls of Angus

The story of the Earls of Angus goes back a long, long time. It involves several powerful families who held this important title.

Early Mormaers

Angus is one of the oldest known "mormaerdoms" (areas ruled by a mormaer). The first mormaer we know about was Dubacan of Angus, who lived in the early 900s. This is recorded in an old book called the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba.

Some old stories say that Angus was one of the seven original mormaerdoms of the Pictish kingdom of Alba. These stories suggest that seven brothers ruled these areas, with Angus (Oengus) being the oldest. Even though these early mormaers were very important, not much is known about them today.

After Mormaer Maol Chaluim died around 1240, his daughter Matilda inherited the title. She married Gilbert de Umfraville, and so the title passed to his family.

Ogilvy Earls

Arms of Ogilvy, an important family in Angus.

The lands of Clan Ogilvy were also in Angus. They were ruled by a mormaer, who were ancient Celtic nobles. These mormaers eventually became the first earls.

Gillebride, an early Earl of Angus, received a special grant of land from King William the Lion in 1163. He gave some of these lands to his son, Gilbert. The Ogilvy family crest shows a lion, which is a symbol of strength and royalty.

Umfraville Earls

Arms of the de Umfraville family, Earls of Angus.

Gilbert de Umfraville became Earl of Angus when he was still young, after his father died in 1245. Gilbert fought on the English side during the First War of Scottish Independence. He died in 1308.

His son, Robert, also fought for the English. He was captured by King Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Robert was later released. However, he lost his title as Earl of Angus. His heir, another Gilbert, kept trying to get the Earldom back. He supported Edward Balliol and other Scottish lords who had lost their lands.

Stewart Earls

Arms of the Stewart family, Earls of Angus.

In 1329, a new line of Earls of Angus began with John Stewart of Bonkyll. This happened after the Umfraville family lost their claim to the title.

This Stewart line ended with Margaret Stewart. She was a countess in her own right. She was also the widow of Thomas, Earl of Mar.

Douglas Earls

Margaret Stewart, Countess of Angus, had a son named George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus (born around 1380). His father was William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas.

In 1389, King Robert II officially granted the title of Earl of Angus to George Douglas. George was captured in battle in 1402 and died while imprisoned in England.

A famous descendant was Archibald "Bell-the-Cat" (1453–1514). He was a very powerful person and often disagreed with King James III.

Later, William Douglas (1589–1660), who was the 11th Earl of Angus, was given an even higher title: Marquis of Douglas in 1633. He gave up his Earl of Angus title, but it was immediately given back to him along with the new Marquess title. So, he became the 1st Earl of Angus in this new creation.

His grandson, James Douglas, became the 2nd Marquess of Douglas. James's son, Archibald Douglas, received even more titles in 1703, including Duke of Douglas. However, Archibald died without any children, so the Dukedom ended. Other titles, like the Earldom of Angus and the Marquessate of Douglas, passed to his distant cousin, the 7th Duke of Hamilton. The Hamilton family still holds these titles today.

Mormaers and Early Earls of Angus

• Indrechtach (early 900s)
• Dubacan (died 937)
• Cuncar (mid-900s)
• Gille Brigte (around 1150)
• Adam (around 1189)
• Gille Críst (died 1206)
• Donnchadh (1206–1214)
• Maol Choluim (1214–1240)
• Matilda (or Maud)
  • Married John Comyn (died 1242)
  • Married Gilbert de Umfraville
• Gilbert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus (Earl: 1246–1307)
• Robert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus (Earl: 1307–around 1314, lost title; died 1325)
  • Gilbert de Umfraville (died 1381)

Earls of Angus, Stewart family (from 1329)

• John Stewart, 1st Earl of Angus (died 1331)
• Thomas Stewart, 2nd Earl of Angus (died 1361)
• Margaret Stewart, Countess of Angus and Mar (died 1417) (gave the earldom to her son George Douglas in 1389)
  • Thomas, Earl of Mar (died 1374)

Earls of Angus, Douglas family (from 1389)

• George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus (1378–1402)
• William Douglas, 2nd Earl of Angus (around 1398–1437)
• James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Angus (born 1428–1446)
• George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus (born 1429–1462)
• Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus (1453–1514)
  • George Douglas, Master of Angus (1469–1513)
• Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus (1490–1557)
• David Douglas, 7th Earl of Angus (around 1515–1558)
• Archibald Douglas, 8th Earl of Angus (1556–1588)
• William Douglas, 9th Earl of Angus (1533–1591)
• William Douglas, 10th Earl of Angus (1552–1611)
• William Douglas, 11th Earl of Angus (1590–1660) (became Marquess of Douglas in 1633)

Marquesses of Douglas (from 1633)

(After 1633, the Earldom of Angus became a courtesy title. This means it was used by the eldest son of the Marquess of Douglas.)

• William Douglas, 1st Marquess of Douglas (1590–1660)
• James Douglas, 2nd Marquess of Douglas (1646–1700)
• Archibald Douglas, 3rd Marquess of Douglas (1694–1761) (became Duke of Douglas in 1703)

Duke of Douglas (from 1703)

• Archibald Douglas, 1st Duke of Douglas (1694–1761) (The Dukedom ended when he died. The Earldom of Angus and Marquessate of Douglas were inherited by James Hamilton, 7th Duke of Hamilton.)

For later Earls of Angus and Marquesses of Douglas, you can look at the Duke of Hamilton article.

Family tree