Scotland Nobility: Difference between revisions

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|[[Image:Scotland Nobility.jpg|thumb|right|350x224px|<center>Scotland Nobility<center>]]The nobility is a class of people who had special political and social status. Nobility is inherited or granted by the crown as a reward to persons who perform a heroic deed, have a notable achievement, or hold a prominent government position.
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== Online Resources ==
== Online Resources ==


*[http://www.abyznewslinks.com/ukingsc.htm Paul, Sir James Balfour, ed. The Scots Peerage]  
*[http://www.poms.ac.uk/ People of Medieval Scotland 1093-1314]
*[http://www3.dcs.hull.ac.uk/genealogy/royal/#BritishIsles Directory of Royal Genealogical Data]  
*[http://www.electricscotland.com/books/pdf/scots_peerage.htm ElectricScotland: The Scots Peerage]
*[http://www.poms.ac.uk/ People of Medieval Scotland 1093-1314]<br>
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scots_Peerage Wikipedia: The Scots Peerage]
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke%27s_Peerage Wikipedia: Burke's Peerage]
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=34767 Burke's Peerage Baronetage and Knightage - 1881] ($)
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1860 Burke’s Family Records (Indexed)] ($)
 
== Introduction ==
 
The nobility is a class of people who had special political and social status. Nobility is inherited or granted by the crown as a reward to persons who perform a heroic deed, have a notable achievement, or hold a prominent government position. The noble class forms less than five percent of Scotland’s population.


British nobility has a well-defined order.
British nobility has a well-defined order.
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*Esquire
*Esquire
*Gentleman
*Gentleman
Both peers and gentry are entitled to bear coats of arms.  
Both peers and gentry are entitled to bear coats of arms. Younger sons had the right to use the father’s coat of arms altered with cadency, a mark showing birth order.  


[[Image:Scotlandarms.jpg|left|thumb|<center>Scotlandarms<center>]]  
[[Image:Scotlandarms.jpg|right|thumb|<center>Scotlandarms<center>]]  


The noble class forms less than five percent of Scotland’s population. Scotland limited the growth of the noble class. The eldest son inherits the father’s title, and younger sons may or may not have lesser titles. When a nobleman dies without sons, the title lapses unless the crown awards the title to a daughter’s husband.  
Scotland limited the growth of the noble class. The eldest son inherits the father’s title, and younger sons may or may not have lesser titles. When a nobleman dies without sons, the title lapses unless the crown awards the title to a daughter’s husband.  


Most family traditions of having a noble ancestor are not true since most noblemen did not emigrate. Contrary to popular belief, few nobles were disowned by family members for unacceptable behavior. Thus, most traditions of an ancestor being "erased" or "eliminated" from all records are unfounded.  
Most family traditions of having a noble ancestor are not true since most noblemen did not emigrate. Contrary to popular belief, few nobles were disowned by family members for unacceptable behavior. Thus, most traditions of an ancestor being "erased" or "eliminated" from all records are unfounded.  
Line 38: Line 49:
Illegitimate children were not entitled to noble status and are often not shown in family pedigrees. They may, however, have been granted a title and variation of the father’s coat of arms.  
Illegitimate children were not entitled to noble status and are often not shown in family pedigrees. They may, however, have been granted a title and variation of the father’s coat of arms.  


Younger sons had the right to use the father’s coat of arms altered with cadency, a mark showing birth order.  
The records of peerage creations and related documents are kept at the Lyon Office (see [[Scotland Heraldry]]).  


The records of peerage creations and related documents are kept at the Lyon Office (see [[Scotland Heraldry]]).
== Accessing the Records ==


There are many original records for noble families. These documents often are not available to the public, but you can accomplish most nobility research in secondary sources.  
There are many original records for noble families. These documents often are not available to the public, but you can accomplish most nobility research in secondary sources.  


Noblemen were anxious to preserve their identity. Therefore, many kept records of their ancestry, some of which have been published. A number of published family histories also contain information about Scottish nobility. Use the Surname Search of the FamilySearch Catalog to find references to family histories at the Family History Library.  
=== Family Histories ===
Noblemen were anxious to preserve their identity. Therefore, many kept records of their ancestry, some of which have been published. A number of published family histories also contain information about Scottish nobility. Many of these family histories are available at the Family History Library. Use the Surname Search of the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/search FamilySearch Catalog] to find references to these family histories. Some have been digitized made available online, but most are only available in book form at the Library.
 
Another source for information on Scottish families is:
 
:Paul, Sir James Balfour, ed.''The Scots Peerage,'' 9 vols. Edinburgh, Scotland: David Douglas 1904. (Family History Library book {{FHL|941 D22p|disp=941 D22p}}). This book has been digitized.


A good source for information on Scottish families is:  
=== Peerage ===
==== The Scots Peerage ====
''The Scots Peerage'' is a book series (nine volumes) of the Scottish nobility published from 1904 to 1914. It is a comprehensive history of the Scottish peerage.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "The Scots Peerage," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scots_Peerage, accessed 2 August 2018.</ref> All of the volumes have been digitized and made available online.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scots_Peerage#Volumes Wikipedia: The Scots Peerage Online Volumes] - contains links to the online volumes (on Internet Archive)
*[http://www.electricscotland.com/books/pdf/scots_peerage.htm ElectricScotland: The Scots Peerage] - contains links to the online volumes (in pdf form)


Paul, Sir James Balfour, ed.''The Scots Peerage,'' 9 vols. Edinburgh, Scotland: David Douglas 1904. (Family History Library&nbsp;book {{FHL|941 D22p|disp=941 D22p}}).  
==== Burke's Peerage ====
Burke's Peerage was established in London in 1826 as the "definitive guide to the genealogy and heraldry of the Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Landed Gentry of the United Kingdom."<ref>Burke's Peerage, "Burke's Peerage," 2018, www.burkespeerage.com, accessed 2 August 2018.</ref> While some of these books can only be accessed in print, many have been digitized and are available online.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burke%27s_Peerage#Online_Editions Wikipedia: Burke's Peerage Online Editions] - contains links to the online volumes (on Hathitrust)
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8487&geo_a=r&o_iid=62817&o_lid=62817&o_sch=Web+Property Burke's Peerage and Baronetage Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary, Vol 2] ($) index and images
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1860 Burke’s Family Records (Indexed)] ($) index and images
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=34767 Burke's Peerage Baronetage and Knightage - 1881] ($) images
*[http://www.burkespeerage.com/search.php Burke's Peerage Search] (index free, but subscription needed to view image)


The Family History Library has many records of noble families other than family histories listed in the Locality Search of the catalog under:  
The Family History Library also has some of these books, although they are only available in print. To find the film numbers, look in the Keyword Search of the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/search FamilySearch Catalog] under:  


SCOTLAND - NOBILITY
:BURKE'S PEERAGE


SCOTLAND, [COUNTY] - NOBILITY
=== Other Records ===
The Family History Library has many records of noble families other than family histories. To find these, use the Place Search of the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/search FamilySearch Catalog] and search:


SCOTLAND - GENEALOGY
:SCOTLAND - NOBILITY


GREAT BRITAIN - NOBILITY  
:SCOTLAND, [COUNTY] - NOBILITY  


There are many other books which deal with noble families of Great Britain. Burke’s Peerage Limited has published many such books. To find Family History Library film numbers, look in the Author/Title Search of the catalog on microfiche under:  
:SCOTLAND - GENEALOGY


BURKE, SIR JOHN BERNARD.
:GREAT BRITAIN - NOBILITY <br><br>


See also [[Scotland Heraldry]] and [[Scotland Genealogy]].  
See also [[Scotland Heraldry]] and [[Scotland Genealogy]].  


== References ==
<references />


{{Place|Scotland}}  
{{Place|Scotland}}  


[[Category:Scotland Heraldry]]
[[Category:Scotland Heraldry]]

Revision as of 10:13, 2 August 2018

Scotland Wiki Topics
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Beginning Research
Record Types
Scotland Background
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Scotland Nobility

Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

The nobility is a class of people who had special political and social status. Nobility is inherited or granted by the crown as a reward to persons who perform a heroic deed, have a notable achievement, or hold a prominent government position. The noble class forms less than five percent of Scotland’s population.

British nobility has a well-defined order. The highest noblemen are Peers which include the titles (in descending rank):

  • Duke
  • Marquis
  • Earl
  • Viscount
  • Baron

This is followed by the gentry, Whose titles are:

  • Baronet
  • Knight
  • Esquire
  • Gentleman

Both peers and gentry are entitled to bear coats of arms. Younger sons had the right to use the father’s coat of arms altered with cadency, a mark showing birth order.

Scotlandarms

Scotland limited the growth of the noble class. The eldest son inherits the father’s title, and younger sons may or may not have lesser titles. When a nobleman dies without sons, the title lapses unless the crown awards the title to a daughter’s husband.

Most family traditions of having a noble ancestor are not true since most noblemen did not emigrate. Contrary to popular belief, few nobles were disowned by family members for unacceptable behavior. Thus, most traditions of an ancestor being "erased" or "eliminated" from all records are unfounded.

Illegitimate children were not entitled to noble status and are often not shown in family pedigrees. They may, however, have been granted a title and variation of the father’s coat of arms.

The records of peerage creations and related documents are kept at the Lyon Office (see Scotland Heraldry).

Accessing the Records[edit | edit source]

There are many original records for noble families. These documents often are not available to the public, but you can accomplish most nobility research in secondary sources.

Family Histories[edit | edit source]

Noblemen were anxious to preserve their identity. Therefore, many kept records of their ancestry, some of which have been published. A number of published family histories also contain information about Scottish nobility. Many of these family histories are available at the Family History Library. Use the Surname Search of the FamilySearch Catalog to find references to these family histories. Some have been digitized made available online, but most are only available in book form at the Library.

Another source for information on Scottish families is:

Paul, Sir James Balfour, ed.The Scots Peerage, 9 vols. Edinburgh, Scotland: David Douglas 1904. (Family History Library book 941 D22p). This book has been digitized.

Peerage[edit | edit source]

The Scots Peerage[edit | edit source]

The Scots Peerage is a book series (nine volumes) of the Scottish nobility published from 1904 to 1914. It is a comprehensive history of the Scottish peerage.[1] All of the volumes have been digitized and made available online.

Burke's Peerage[edit | edit source]

Burke's Peerage was established in London in 1826 as the "definitive guide to the genealogy and heraldry of the Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Landed Gentry of the United Kingdom."[2] While some of these books can only be accessed in print, many have been digitized and are available online.

The Family History Library also has some of these books, although they are only available in print. To find the film numbers, look in the Keyword Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:

BURKE'S PEERAGE

Other Records[edit | edit source]

The Family History Library has many records of noble families other than family histories. To find these, use the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog and search:

SCOTLAND - NOBILITY
SCOTLAND, [COUNTY] - NOBILITY
SCOTLAND - GENEALOGY
GREAT BRITAIN - NOBILITY

See also Scotland Heraldry and Scotland Genealogy.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "The Scots Peerage," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scots_Peerage, accessed 2 August 2018.
  2. ↑ Burke's Peerage, "Burke's Peerage," 2018, www.burkespeerage.com, accessed 2 August 2018.
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