Earl of Glencairn facts for kids
The Earl of Glencairn was an important noble title in Scotland. It was first given in 1488 to Alexander Cunningham, 1st Earl of Glencairn. The name "Glencairn" comes from a place in Dumfriesshire, named after the Cairn Waters river.
After the fifteenth Earl died in 1796, the title became inactive. This happened because there were no clear rules about who should inherit it next. Several people tried to claim the title, but the House of Lords Committee of Privileges decided that none of them had a strong enough claim.
Who Were the Earls of Glencairn?
Here is a list of the people who held the title of Earl of Glencairn:
- Alexander Cunningham, 1st Earl of Glencairn (1426–1488)
- Robert Cunningham, 2nd Earl of Glencairn
* Robert became the 2nd Earl after his father died. However, a new law passed by King James IV took away all titles given by the previous king after a certain date. This meant Robert lost his title. Later, the Earldom was given back to the Cunningham family.
- Cuthbert Cunningham, 3rd Earl of Glencairn (c. 1476–c. 1541)
- William Cunningham, 4th Earl of Glencairn (c. 1490–1547)
- Alexander Cunningham, 5th Earl of Glencairn (died 1574)
- William Cunningham, 6th Earl of Glencairn (1526–1580)
- James Cunningham, 7th Earl of Glencairn (1552–1630)
- William Cunningham, 8th Earl of Glencairn (1575–1631)
- William Cunningham, 9th Earl of Glencairn (1610–1664)
- Alexander Cunningham, 10th Earl of Glencairn (died 1670)
- John Cunningham, 11th Earl of Glencairn (died 1703)
- William Cunningham, 12th Earl of Glencairn (died 1734)
- William Cunningham, 13th Earl of Glencairn (died 1775)
- James Cunningham, 14th Earl of Glencairn (1749–1791)
* He never married and had no children. His brother became the next Earl.
- John Cunningham, 15th Earl of Glencairn (1750–1796)
* He also had no children, and the title became inactive after his death.
See also
- Cunynghame baronets
- Montgomery-Cuninghame baronets
