Earl of Errol

This article is about the baronage title. For the peerage title, see Earl of Erroll.

Earldom of Errol
Azure, a sword palewise Proper hilted and pommelled Or the pommel charged with a cross Sable, surmounted of two engrailed chevronels, in chief two fleur-de-lis of the Second.
Creation date	1546
Creation	Baronage of Scotland
Created by	Mary, Queen of Scots
First holder	Andrew Hay, 8th Earl of Erroll
Present holder	Dr David Willien, Earl of Errol
Heir presumptive	Lukas Willien
Remainder to	heirs male of the body and assignees
Former seat(s)	Errol Park
Motto	INVIA VIRTUTI NULLA EST VIA (No Road is Impassable to Virtue)

Earl of Errol (or Erroll), in the County of Perth, is a title in the Baronage of Scotland. It was created by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1546 for Andrew Hay, 8th Earl of Erroll. It is not to be confused with Earl of Erroll, both of which had been held in the same family until 20th century.

History

The earldom traces its origins to the medieval Scottish nobility, derives from the village of Errol in Perth and Kinross. The lineage began with the Hay family, who gained prominence in Fife. The first Hay of Errol fortified his social and territorial standing through marriage to a member of the indigenous aristocracy in Fife, which consolidated his holdings in Errol. ^{[1] [ independent source needed ]}

Errol Park

In 1546, Queen Mary formally confirmed and regranted the lands, earldom, and barony of Errol to Andrew Hay, 8th Earl of Erroll, son of George Hay, 7th Earl of Erroll, including various holdings like manors, gardens, orchards, mills, fisheries, and the family's right of patronage over local churches and chaplainries. George Hay personally resigned these holdings to the Crown, and the Queen, while confirming the regrant, reserved a liferent for George, allowing him continued use and income from the properties during his lifetime. ^[2]

The title remained with the Earls of Erroll for several centuries until the early 20th century, when it came into the possession of Sir John Ellerman, a prominent shipowner and investor. ^[3] The title is currently held by Dr David Willien, baron of Tulloch, who succeeded in 2021 by way of assignation. ^{[4] [5]}

Earls of Errol (1546)

See Earl of Erroll for earlier Earls of Errol.

• Sir John Ellerman, 1st Bt., Earl of Errol (1862—1933)
• Dr David Willien, Earl of Errol (b. 1981)

The heir presumptive is the present holder’s nephew, Lukas Jean Robert Willien (b. 2011). ^[5]

Arms

Coat of arms of the Earl of Errol ^[6]

Notes Arms matriculated by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. [7] Armiger Dr David Willien, Earl of Errol. Crest A lion sejant and winged Or, its dexter paw resting on an open Bible Proper binding and fore-edged Gules with two open clasps on the dexter edge Or. Helm A baronial helm appropriate to the dignity of an Earl in the Baronage of Scotland. Escutcheon Azure, a sword palewise Proper hilted and pommelled Or the pommel charged with a cross Sable, surmounted of two engrailed chevronels, in chief two fleur-de-lis of the Second. Mantling: Azure doubled Or. Motto INVIA VIRTUTI NULLA EST VIA (No Road is Impassable to Virtue)

See also

• Earl of Erroll

References

1. "House Hay of Erroll – CLAN HAY" . Retrieved 2025-05-27.
2. Paul, James Balfour (1882). Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum, A.D. 1306-1668[Register of the Great Seal of Scotland ] (in Latin). Vol. 3. General Register House. p. 751.
3. Building: (1916). Builder House. 1916.
4. "The Feudal Baronies of Scotland". Debrett's . Retrieved 2025-06-21.
5. "Burke's Peerage Revised Families". Burke's Peerage . Retrieved 2025-06-21.
6. Goldstraw, Martin (2020). International Register of Armorial Bearings. Vol. 3. The Armorial Register. ISBN   978-0-9957246-8-6.
7. Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland . Vol. 94. Court of the Lord Lyon. p. 46.