Earl of Kilmarnock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Earl of Kilmarnock |
|
|---|---|
 
Azure, a fess chequy argent and gules
|
|
| Creation date | 17 August 1661 |
| Monarch | Charles II |
| Peerage | Peerage of Scotland |
| First holder | William Boyd, 1st Earl of Kilmarnock |
| Last holder | William Boyd, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock |
| Subsidiary titles | Lord Boyd |
| Status | Forfeited |
| Extinction date | 18 August 1746 |
| Motto | Confido ("I confide") |
The Earl of Kilmarnock was an important title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was given to members of the Clan Boyd family. This title was created two different times. The first time was in 1454, and the second time was in 1661. Both times, the title was later taken away, or "forfeited," in 1746.
Contents
What is the Earl of Kilmarnock Title?
The title of Earl of Kilmarnock was a special honor in Scotland. It meant that the person holding it was a very important noble. The title was first given to Robert Boyd in 1454. He was a powerful person known as the Great Chamberlain of Scotland.
Later, the title was created again in 1661. This time, it was given to William Boyd, who was already the 10th Lord Boyd. This shows how important the Boyd family was in Scottish history.
Early History of the Boyd Family Titles
Before the Earl of Kilmarnock title, the Boyd family held other important positions. For example, Thomas Boyd was made Earl of Arran in 1467. He was the son of Robert Boyd, the 1st Lord Boyd. However, this title was also taken away in 1469.
It can be a bit confusing to keep track of all the "Lords Boyd." Historians often use the numbering found in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography to make it clearer.
The 4th Earl of Kilmarnock had a son who later became the 15th Earl of Erroll. Many years later, in 1831, the Kilmarnock title was brought back. It was given to the 15th Earl of Erroll's grandson, William George Hay, 18th Earl of Erroll. He was made Baron Kilmarnock in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. Since 1941, this "Baron Kilmarnock" title has been a separate honor.
The Lords Boyd: A Family Line
The title of "Lord Boyd" was held by many members of the Boyd family before the earldom was created. Here are some of the people who held this title:
- Robert Boyd, 1st Lord Boyd (died 1482)
- James Boyd, 2nd Lord Boyd (around 1469–1484)
- Alexander Boyd, 3rd Lord Boyd (died after 1508)
- Robert Boyd, 4th Lord Boyd (died 1557 or 1558) (His right to the title was confirmed in 1545 or 1546)
- Robert Boyd, 5th Lord Boyd (around 1517–1590)
- Thomas Boyd, 6th Lord Boyd (around 1547–1611)
- Robert Boyd, 7th Lord Boyd (1595–1628)
- Robert Boyd, 8th Lord Boyd (around 1618–1640)
- James Boyd, 9th Lord Boyd (died 1654)
- William Boyd, 10th Lord Boyd (born before 1646–1692) (He was made the first Earl of Kilmarnock in 1661)
The Earls of Kilmarnock: A New Creation
After the title of Earl of Kilmarnock was created in 1661, four members of the Boyd family held it.
- William Boyd, 1st Earl of Kilmarnock (born 1646–1692)
- William Boyd, 2nd Earl of Kilmarnock (born 1676–1692)
- William Boyd, 3rd Earl of Kilmarnock (born 1692–1717)
- William Boyd, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock (born 1705–1746) (His title was taken away in 1746)
Other Related Titles
If you are interested in the Earl of Kilmarnock, you might also want to learn about these related titles:
