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Lordship of Nairne
Coronet of a British Baron.svg
Arms of the house of Bigham, Viscounts Mersey.svg
Blazon
Quarterly: 1st and 4th grandquarters: Per bend dancetty Azure and Or a Bend invected between three Crosses Patée in chief and as many Horseshoes in base all counterchanged (Bigham);2nd grandquarter:1st and 4th, Ermine, on a Bend Azure, a Magnetic Needle, pointing to the Polar Star Or (Petty); 2nd and 3rd, Argent, a Saltire Gules, and a Chief, Ermine (FitzMaurice); 3rd grandquarter: 1st, Parted per pale Sable and Argent on a Chaplet four Quatrefoils counterchanged (Nairne); 2nd counterquartered: 1st and 4th, Or on a Fess Gules between three Crosses Patée in chief of the second a Mullet Azure in base three Bezants (Mercer); 2nd and 3rd, Argent a Chevron Sable between three Boars' Heads erased Gules (Elphinstone); 3rd counterquartered: 1st and 4th, Paly of six Or and Sable (Atholl); 2nd, Or a Fess chequy Azure and Argent (Stewart); 3rd, Azure three Mullets Argent within a Double Tressure flory counterflory Or (Murray); 4th, Argent three Martlets Sable (de Flahault).
Creation date 27 January 1681
Peerage Peerage of Scotland
First holder Robert Nairne, 1st Lord Nairne
Present holder Edward John Hallam Bigham, 5th Viscount Mersey, 14th Lord Nairne
Heir apparent the Hon. Flora Diana Joan Bigham, Mistress of Nairne
Seat(s) Bignor Park
Motto I Advance

The Lordship of Nairne is an old and important title in Scotland. It's part of the Peerage of Scotland, which is a list of noble titles created in Scotland. This title was first given by King Charles II in 1681 to a man named Sir Robert Nairne. Since 1995, the title has been held by the Viscount Mersey.

History of the Nairne Title

The first person to hold the title was Sir Robert Nairne of Strathord. He was born around 1620 and was a strong supporter of King Charles II. In 1681, the King made him the 1st Lord Nairne.

Changes in the Title Holders

Sir Robert Nairne did not have any sons. So, after he passed away, the title went to his son-in-law, Lord William Murray. Lord William Murray was the younger son of a powerful noble, John Murray, 1st Marquess of Atholl. He married Sir Robert's only daughter, Margaret Nairne. Lord William Murray then took the name Nairne and became the 2nd Lord Nairne.

The Jacobite Rebellions

Lord William Murray joined the Jacobites in 1715. The Jacobites were people who supported the return of the Stuart kings to the throne. He was captured during the Battle of Preston and was sentenced to death. However, he was later pardoned, but his title was taken away by the government.

His son, John, would have been the 3rd Lord Nairne. He was also captured at Preston but was soon set free. John later became a leader in the Jacobite uprising of 1745. He fought in important battles like Prestonpans, Falkirk, and Culloden. Because of his role, his title was officially taken away in 1746, and he had to escape to France.

Restoring the Title

Years later, in 1824, a descendant named William Murray Nairne had the title of Lord Nairne given back to him. He became the 5th Lord Nairne. He married Carolina, a famous Scottish songwriter.

The male line of the Nairne family ended when William's son, William, the 6th Lord, died without marrying. The title then passed through female relatives.

Passing to Other Noble Families

The title eventually went to Emily, who was married to the 4th Marquess of Lansdowne. Her right to the title was recognized in 1874.

For many years, the Lordship of Nairne was a secondary title held by the Marquess of Lansdowne. This continued until 1944. After the 7th Marquess of Lansdowne passed away, the Scottish title of Lord Nairne went to his sister, Katherine Evelyn Constance Bigham. She became the 12th Lady Nairne. She was married to Edward Clive Bigham, 3rd Viscount Mersey.

Today, the title is held by their grandson, Edward John Hallam Bigham, who is the 5th Viscount Mersey and the 14th Lord Nairne.

Family Home

The main home of the family is Bignor Park, which is located near Pulborough in Sussex, England.

Lords Nairne (1681)

Here is a list of the people who have held the title of Lord Nairne since it was created:

The person next in line to inherit the title is the current holder's daughter, Hon. Flora Diana Joan Bigham, Mistress of Nairne (born 2003).

See also

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