Viscount of Stormont facts for kids
The Viscount of Stormont is a special title given to noble families in Scotland. It was created in 1621 by King James VI for his friend, Sir David Murray. Sir David had helped the King during a dangerous attack in 1600. Before this, Sir David Murray had already received another title, Lord Scone, in 1605.
These titles were set up so that if the first person to hold them didn't have a direct heir, they would pass to specific relatives. First, the title would go to Sir Mungo Murray, who was the fourth son of the 1st Earl of Tullibardine. If he didn't have a male heir, it would go to John Murray, who later became the Earl of Annandale. If he also didn't have a male heir, it would go to Sir Andrew Murray, who became Lord Balvaird.
The first Viscount, Sir David Murray, did not have any children. So, the title went to Sir Mungo Murray, who became the second Viscount. He also passed away without a male heir. The title then went to James Murray, who was already the 2nd Earl of Annandale. He became the third Viscount Stormont. James Murray was the son of the John Murray mentioned earlier. He also had no children, and when he died in 1658, his Earl title ended.
The Murray Family and the Stormont Title
After James Murray, the title of Lord Scone and Viscount of Stormont passed to David Murray, who was the 2nd Lord Balvaird. He became the fourth Viscount Stormont. He was the son of Andrew Murray, the 1st Lord Balvaird. When the fourth Viscount died, his son became the fifth Viscount.
One of the fifth Viscount's younger sons, James Murray, was a politician. He was a Member of Parliament for Dumfriesshire from 1711 to 1713. He later supported the Jacobite rising of 1715, which was a movement to bring the old royal family back to the throne. In 1721, he received new titles in the Jacobite peerage, like Earl of Dunbar.
Another of the fifth Viscount's sons was William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield and Mansfield. He became a very important lawyer and judge. In 1793, the seventh Viscount of Stormont, who was the grandson of the fifth Viscount, inherited another important title. He became the 2nd Earl of Mansfield, following a special rule for how that title could be passed down. You can find more information about these titles under the Earl of Mansfield and Mansfield.
Viscounts of Stormont (1621)
Here is a list of the people who held the title of Viscount of Stormont:
- David Murray, 1st Viscount of Stormont (died 1631)
- Mungo Murray, 2nd Viscount of Stormont (died 1642)
- James Murray, 2nd Earl of Annandale, 3rd Viscount of Stormont (died 1658)
- David Murray, 4th Viscount of Stormont (around 1636–1668)
- David Murray, 5th Viscount of Stormont (around 1665–1731)
- David Murray, 6th Viscount of Stormont (around 1689–1748)
- David Murray, 7th Viscount of Stormont (1727–1796)
- He also became the Earl of Mansfield in 1793.
For more information about who held the title after the 7th Viscount, you can look up the Earl of Mansfield and Mansfield.
