Matheson baronets facts for kids

The family symbol, or coat of arms, of the Matheson of Matheson, who is the main leader, or Chief, of Clan Matheson.

A baronetcy is a special title given by the King or Queen in the United Kingdom. It's like being a knight, but the title can be passed down through the family, usually from father to son. There have been two times when people named Matheson were given this special title. Both of these titles were created in the system called the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. As of 2017, one of these titles still exists.

The First Matheson Baronetcy (1850)

The first Matheson baronetcy was created in 1850. It was known as the Matheson Baronetcy, of The Lews, which refers to a place called The Lews in Ross County, Scotland. This title was given to a Scottish businessman and politician named James Matheson. He was one of the people who started a very important company called Jardine Matheson. When Sir James Matheson passed away in 1878, he did not have a son to pass the title to, so this baronetcy ended.

Sir James Matheson, 1st Baronet

• Sir James Matheson, 1st Baronet (1796–1878)

The Second Matheson Baronetcy (1882)

The second Matheson baronetcy was created on May 15, 1882. This one was called the Matheson Baronetcy, of Lochalsh, also in Ross County. This title was given to Alexander Matheson. He was also a businessman and a politician who belonged to the Liberal Party. Interestingly, Alexander Matheson was the nephew of the first Sir James Matheson, who had the earlier baronetcy. He was also a partner in the same company, Jardine Matheson.

Alexander Matheson also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons, which is part of the UK government. He represented areas like Inverness Burghs and Ross and Cromarty.

Important Matheson Baronets

The Matheson family owned a large house called Gledfield House, which was built in the 1800s near Ardgay, in Sutherland, Scotland. This house was made bigger and improved by architects Ross & Macbeth for the second baronet, Sir Kenneth Matheson, between 1895 and 1907.

Some other important people in this line of baronets include:

• The third Baronet, Sir Alexander Perceval Matheson, who was a member of the Senate in Australia. The Senate is like a part of the government in Australia.
• The fifth Baronet, Sir Torquhil George Matheson, who was a General in the Army.
• The sixth Baronet, Sir Torquhil Alexander Matheson, became the leader, or Chief, of Clan Matheson in 1975. A Clan Chief is the head of a Scottish family group.

Matheson Baronets, of Lochalsh (1882)

Here are the people who have held the title of Matheson Baronet, of Lochalsh:

• Sir Alexander Matheson, 1st Baronet (1805–1886)
• Sir Kenneth James Matheson, 2nd Baronet (1854–1920)
• Sir Alexander Perceval Matheson, 3rd Baronet (1861–1929)
• Sir Roderick Mackenzie Chisholm Matheson, 4th Baronet (1861–1944)
• Sir Torquhil George Matheson, 5th Baronet (1871–1963)
• Sir Torquhil Alexander Matheson, 6th Baronet (1925–1993)
• Sir Fergus John Matheson, 7th Baronet (1927–2017)
• Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Alexander Fergus Matheson of Matheson, 8th Baronet LVO DL (born 1954)

The person who is expected to inherit the title next is the current Baronet's son, Andrew William Fergus Matheson (born 1985).