Duke of Roxburghe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dukedom of Roxburghe
Quarterly, 1st and 4th grandquarters: quarterly, 1st and 4th, Vert on a Chevron between three Unicorns' Heads erased Argent armed and maned Or as many Mullets Sable (Ker); 2nd and 3rd, Gules three Mascles Or (Weepont); 2nd and 3rd grandquarters: Argent three Stars of five points Azure (Innes).
Creation date	1707
Monarch	Anne
Peerage	Peerage of Scotland
First holder	John Ker, 5th Earl of Roxburghe
Present holder	Charles Innes-Ker, 11th Duke
Heir apparent	Frederick Innes-Ker, Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford
Remainder to	the heirs inheriting the Earldom of Roxburghe (see that section for details)
Subsidiary titles	Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford Earl of Roxburghe Earl of Kelso Earl Innes Viscount Broxmouth Lord Roxburghe Lord Ker of Cessford and Cavertoun
Seat(s)	Floors Castle

John Ker, 1st Duke of Roxburghe

Robert Ker, 2nd Duke of Roxburghe

John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe

James Henry Robert Innes-Ker, 6th Duke of Roxburghe.

James Henry Robert Innes-Ker, 7th Duke of Roxburghe

Henry John Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe

Guy David Innes-Ker, 10th Duke of Roxburghe

Charles Robert George Innes-Ker, 11th Duke of Roxburghe

The Duke of Roxburghe is a very old and important title in Scotland. It was created in 1707 by Queen Anne. The first person to hold this title was John Ker, who was already the 5th Earl of Roxburghe.

The name "Roxburghe" comes from a historic town called Roxburgh in the Scottish Borders. This town was captured and destroyed by the Scots in 1460.

The Duke of Roxburghe holds several other important titles. These include Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford, Earl of Kelso, Earl Innes, Viscount Broxmouth, Lord Roxburghe, and Lord Ker of Cessford and Cavertoun. Most of these titles are part of the Peerage of Scotland. However, the Earldom of Innes is part of the Peerage of the United Kingdom.

The oldest son of the Duke of Roxburghe uses the special title of Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford. This is a "courtesy title," meaning it's used out of tradition.

The family home of the Duke of Roxburghe is Floors Castle. It is a beautiful castle near Kelso, Scotland. The castle grounds also have the ruins of Roxburgh Castle. This old castle sits on a piece of land between the Tweed and Teviot rivers. The Dukes of Roxburghe are traditionally buried in the Roxburghe Memorial Cloister. This is a special part of the ruins of Kelso Abbey.

The Earls of Roxburghe (1616)

The title of Duke of Roxburghe came from an older title: the Earl of Roxburghe. This earldom was created in 1616. Before that, in 1600, Robert Ker was made Lord Roxburghe.

The first Earl, Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe, had no sons who lived long enough to inherit his titles. So, a special plan was made for the title to pass to his grandson, William Ker, 2nd Earl of Roxburghe. This was unusual because titles usually passed only to male heirs.

• Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe (1570–1650)
  • William Ker, Lord Ker (died 1618), the 1st Earl's older son, died before his father.
  • Henry Ker, Lord Ker (died 1643), the 1st Earl's younger son, also died before his father.
• William Ker, 2nd Earl of Roxburghe (1622–1675), the grandson of the 1st Earl.
• Robert Ker, 3rd Earl of Roxburghe (c. 1658–1682), the oldest son of the 2nd Earl.
• Robert Ker, 4th Earl of Roxburghe (c. 1677–1696), the oldest son of the 3rd Earl.
• John Ker, 5th Earl of Roxburghe (c. 1680–1741), the second son of the 3rd Earl. He became the first Duke of Roxburghe in 1707.

The Dukes of Roxburghe (1707)

In 1707, the 5th Earl of Roxburghe was given the higher title of Duke. He also received new titles like Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford, Earl of Kelso, and Viscount Broxmouth.

After the 4th Duke died, there was a problem. No one could clearly prove they were the next in line for the title. The titles became "dormant," meaning they were inactive for a while. In 1812, the House of Lords (a part of the British Parliament) decided who should inherit. They chose Sir James Innes-Ker, who became the 5th Duke.

• John Ker, 1st Duke of Roxburghe (c. 1680–1741)
• Robert Ker, 2nd Duke of Roxburghe (c. 1709–1755), the only son of the 1st Duke.
• John Ker, 3rd Duke of Roxburghe (1740–1804), the older son of the 2nd Duke. He died without children.
• William Bellenden-Ker, 4th Duke of Roxburghe (1728–1805). After he died without children, the Roxburghe titles were inactive until 1812.
• James Innes-Ker, 5th Duke of Roxburghe (1736–1823).
• James Innes-Ker, 6th Duke of Roxburghe (1816–1879), the only son of the 5th Duke. He was also made Earl Innes in 1837.
• James Henry Robert Innes-Ker, 7th Duke of Roxburghe (1839–1892), the older son of the 6th Duke.
• Henry John Innes-Ker, 8th Duke of Roxburghe (1876–1932), the oldest son of the 7th Duke.
• George Victor Robert John Innes-Ker, 9th Duke of Roxburghe (1913–1974), the only son of the 8th Duke.
• Guy David Innes-Ker, 10th Duke of Roxburghe (1954–2019), the older son of the 9th Duke.
• Charles Robert George Innes-Ker, 11th Duke of Roxburghe (born 1981), the oldest son of the 10th Duke.

The current Duke's son, Frederick Innes-Ker, was born in 2024. He is the next in line to inherit his father's titles.

Line of Succession

Family Tree