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Hamilton (FAMILY OF a family long)

FAMILY OF, a family long connected with Scotland, though probably of English origin, the name being evidently territorial. The first person of the name in Scotland of whom we have reliable information was WAL- TER FITZ-GILBERT OF HAMILTON, who, in 1296, swore fealty to Edward I. of England. In 1445 the family was ennobled in the person of SIR JAMES HAMILTON of Cadzow, who was created Lord Hamilton of Cadzow. At first he adhered to the Douglases against the crown; but, deserting them opportunely, he was rewarded by large grants of their forfeited lands, and at a later period by the hand of the Princess Mary, eldest daughter of King James II., and widow of Thomas Boyd, Earl of Arran. He died in 1479.

JAMES, the 3d Marquis of Hamilton, one of the ablest and most distinguished of the family, created Duke of Hamilton in 1643 by Charles I., was taken prisoner by the parliamentary forces soon after the battle of Preston, and beheaded in March, 1649. WILLIAM ALEXANDER LOUIS STEPHEN DOUGLAS HAMILTON, 12th Duke of Hamilton in the peerage of Scotland, and 9th Duke of Brandon in the peerage of Great Britain, is premier of Holyrood House. The ennobled offshoots of the main branch of the Hamiltons are numerous and distinguished. Among these are the Dukes of Abercorn, the Earls of Selkirk, Orkney, and Haddington, and the Viscounts Boyne.