Earl of Ruglen facts for kids
Earl of Ruglen was a special title in the Peerage of Scotland. Think of it like a very old, important rank given to noble families in Scotland.
This title, along with two smaller ones called Viscount of Riccartoun and Lord Hillhouse, was created on April 14, 1697. It was given to a man named Lord John Douglas-Hamilton. He was the fourth son (or third who survived) of William Douglas-Hamilton, Duke of Hamilton, who was also the 1st Earl of Selkirk, and his wife Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton.
The 1st Earl of Ruglen later became the 3rd Earl of Selkirk in 1739, after his older brother passed away. The Earl had only one son, William, Lord Daer, who sadly died in 1742.
When the Earl of Selkirk and Ruglen died in 1744, his title of Earl of Selkirk went to his great-nephew. But the Earldom of Ruglen went to his daughter, Anne. Anne had married William Douglas, who was the 2nd Earl of March.
When Anne passed away in 1748, the Earldom of Ruglen went to her only child, William, 3rd Earl of March. He later became the 5th Marquess and 4th Duke of Queensberry in 1778, after his first cousin once removed Charles Douglas passed away.
What Happened to the Earls of Ruglen?
The 3rd Earl of Ruglen, William Douglas, died in 1810. When he passed away, the title of Earl of Ruglen ended. This means no one else could hold that specific title anymore.
However, his other titles went to different relatives. The Earldom of March went to his second cousin twice removed, Francis Douglas, 8th Earl of Wemyss. The Marquessate of Queensberry went to his fourth (and also third) cousin once removed, Sir Charles Douglas, 5th Bt. And the Dukedom of Queensberry went to his second cousin once removed, Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch.
People Who Held the Title
Here are the people who were Earls of Ruglen:
- John Hamilton, 1st Earl of Ruglen, who was also the 3rd Earl of Selkirk (1664–1744)
- Anne Hamilton, 2nd Countess of Ruglen (1698–1748)
- William Douglas, 3rd Earl of March, 3rd Earl of Ruglen, 5th Marquess of Queensberry, 4th Duke of Queensberry (1725–1810)
