The Maxwells of Munches (Munchies or Munshes) also/previously known as the Herries Maxwells, Maxwells of Barncleugh, the Maxwells of Breconside & Terraughty, and the Maxwells of Buittle, represent an old aristocratic Scottish family with deep roots in the country's history (named after their estate 'Munches'). [1] [2] [3] Historically, they have held prominent positions within the larger Maxwell Clan, once serving as the head family of the Maxwell clan, with previous heads of the family being chiefs of the Maxwells and the heir males of the Earls of Nithsdale. [4] [5] [6] The current head of the family is Desmond Maxwell.[ citation needed ]
The current branch of the family descends in the paternal line from the Johnstons (Ironically, a clan famously rivalling the Clan Maxwell). However, James Johnston (brother to Thomas Johnstone of Clachrie) married Barbara Maxwell, and their son Wellwood Johnston took in terms of settlements of his uncle, James Maxwell, the name Maxwell and became Wellwood Maxwell of Barncleugh. Wellwood Maxwell went on to marry Catherine Maxwell, daughter of John Maxwell of Portract, Terraughty, Munches, and Diwoodie (heir male to the Earls of Nithsdale and chief of the Clan Maxwell). Their son John Herries Maxwell of Barncleugh went on to marry his cousin Clementina Maxwell, also grandchild to the aforementioned John Maxwell. Clementina Maxwell served as heiress to her uncle Alexander Herries Maxwell of Munches and Terraughty (heir male to the Earls of Nithsdale and Chief of the Maxwells [7] ) and succeeded to Munches, Dinwoodie and Terraughty. Their son was Wellwood Herries Maxwell of Munches MP (husband to Jane home Jardine, eldest daughter of Sir William Jardine of Applegirth, Baronet) who had the Armorial Bearings of his family rematriculated in 1868 to represent the Maxwells, the Herries, and the Johnstones. The Maxwells of Munches are intertwined with several other old Scottish families, and the family has family connections to most aristocratic families in England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as other Scottish Clans. These familial connections highlight the extensive reach and influence of the Maxwells throughout Scottish history. [8] [9] [10]
In the extract of Matriculation obtained by Wellwood Herries Maxwell of Munches, it declares that the whole heirs of entail and the substitutes and the husbands of the female heirs shall be bound on the succession opening to them respectively to assume, use and constantly retain the surnames and arms of Herries and Maxwell and the designation of Herries and Maxwell of Munches in all time after their succession to obtaining possession of the said land and estate as their proper surnames, arms and designation.
The armorial bearings held by the head of the family are as follows.
Vizt Quarterly, first and fourth grand quarters, argent, an eagle displayed with two heads sable beaked and membered gules, bearing on his breast an escutcheon of the first charged with a Saltire of the second surcharged with an urcheon or, for Maxwell ; second grand Quarter, argent, three urcheons sable, for Herries ; Third Grand Quarter, counter quartered first and fourth, argent, a saltire sable, on a bordure of the second eight lozenges of the first, for Maxwell of Barncleugh, second and third, argent, a saltire invecked sable between two pellets in flank, on a chief gules three cushions or, for Johnstone of Blauchrie. Above the Shield is placed a helmet befitting his degree, with a mantling gules doubled argent, and on a wreath of his liveries is set for crest, a stag lodged in front of a holly tree proper, and in an escrol over the same this Motto, "Reviresco".
Matriculated the twenty eighth day of April 1868 by Wellwood Herries Maxwell. [11]
The Maxwells of Munches were historically associated with the Estates of Munches and various other lands. These properties, once held by the family, played a significant role in their social standing and influence. The family has since lost ownership of these lands and estates having to sell them off due to financial instability [12] [13]
Lands and estates once owned by the family include: Breconside, Dinwoodie, Munches, Buittle and Buittle Castle, Terraughty, Dalbeattie, Portrack and Barnlceuch. [14] [15]
The title Earl of Morton was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1458 for James Douglas of Dalkeith. Along with it, the title Lord Aberdour was granted. This latter title is the courtesy title for the eldest son and heir to the Earl of Morton.
Lord Herries of Terregles is a hereditary title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1490 for Herbert Herries with remainder to his heirs general.
Earl of Nithsdale was a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1620 for Robert Maxwell, 9th Lord Maxwell, with remainder to heirs male. He was made Lord Maxwell, Eskdale and Carlyle at the same time. The title of Lord Maxwell had been created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1445 for Herbert Maxwell.
Clan Maxwell is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands and is recognized as such by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. However, as the clan does not currently have a chief, it is considered an armigerous clan.
Earl of Dirletoun was a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1646 for James Maxwell by King Charles I. Lord Dirletoun's only male heir died in infancy, and the Earldom became extinct on his death. He had two daughters. The first, Lady Elizabeth, married William Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Hamilton then Thomas Dalmahoy, and the second, Lady Diana, married Charles Cecil, Viscount Cranborne.
The McGhee family is an ancient lowland family of Scotland, established as landowners in Galloway since at least the 13th century. Both the Clan Donald and the Clan Mackay claim it as a sept. Historically, however, the Mackays are in fact an offshoot of this family rather than vice versa. The ancient origins of the McGhees are uncertain, though they were probably Gaels from Ireland who took part in the conquest of Galloway between the 9th and 11th centuries. Their property in Kirkcudbrightshire was significantly extended during the reign of the Stuarts. The family has always been self-consciously lowland and, almost uniquely among prominent Scottish families, remained entirely indifferent to the Clan system, as historians have noted:
"With such a variety of spellings many held lands, bore personal arms and sometimes held important positions and yet none, other than the Chief of Mackay, has been recognised in the chiefship of the kindred."
The origins of Clan MacCulloch are unknown, but there is a consensus that the family was one of the most ancient families of Galloway, Scotland, and a leading medieval family in that region. Despite the obscurity of the early history of the clan, the history and genealogies of the family are well documented in Walter Jameson McCulloch's History of the Galloway Families of McCulloch, which provides extensive footnotes for original Scottish charters, correspondence, and other primary source documentation. The latter provides family history for the following lines: Myretoun, Ardwell, Killasser, Torhouse, Drummorrell, Inshanks and Mule, Torhousekie, Cardiness, Barholm, Kirkclaugh, Auchengool, and Ardwall.
Clan Napier is a Lowland Scottish clan.
Clan Johnstone is a Border Reiver Scottish clan.
Clan MacTavish is an Ancient Highland Scottish clan with Irish origins.
Clan Jardine is a Scottish clan of the Scottish Lowlands.
Clan Strange, also known as Clan Strang, is a Lowland Scottish clan.
The de Trafford Baronetcy, of Trafford Park in the County Palatine of Lancaster is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom.
William Jardine Herries Maxwell of Munches was a Liberal Unionist politician in Scotland.
John Maxwell, 4th Lord Maxwell was a Scottish nobleman and patriarch of the Border Family / House / Clan of Maxwell.
Wellwood Herries Maxwell of Munches was a Scottish Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1874.
The Corrie family, also known as the Currie family, was a Scottish family which was once seated in what is today the civil parish of Hutton and Corrie, in Annandale, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The leading branch of the family were the Corries of that Ilk. Members of the family are on record in the Middle Ages. The family held numerous lands, but lost the lands from which they derived their surname, with the marriage of an heiress, sometime during the reign of James V, King of Scots.
Clan Little is a Scottish clan of the Borders. The clan does not currently have a chief and is therefore considered an armigerous clan. The Clan Little Society had a Guardian in place of a clan chief but, since his death in 2007, no suitable successor has appeared.
John Maxwell, 8th Lord Maxwell was a Scottish Catholic nobleman. In 1581 he was created Earl of Morton, and in 1587 he travelled to Spain where he took part in the planning of the Spanish Armada.
The Battle of Dryfe Sands was a Scottish clan battle that took place on 6 December 1593, near Lockerbie, Scotland. It was fought between the Clan Maxwell and Clan Johnstone after a hundred years of feuding between them. The Johnstones won a decisive victory over the Maxwells.