Kerr
Gaelic Name: Cearr, MacGhillechearr
Clan Crest: The sun in his splendour, Or
Clan Motto: Sero sed serio (Late but in earnest)
Origin of Name: British, caer (Fort)
Lands: Roxburghshire
Historic Seat: Ferniehirst Castle, Roxburghshire
Clan Chief: The Most Hon. The Marquess of Lothian
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Kerr Clan History
Marsh dwellers were referred to as "kjrr" by the Vikings. When William the Conqueror's descendants arrived in Britain from Normandy, the term had become a name with the forms Ker and Kerr, as well as Carr and Carre.
The name is said to be derived from the Gaelic word for "strength" and comes from Arran on the Celtic West Coast.
Scottish records from William the Lion's reign mention John Ker, the hunter of Swinhope, but it wasn't until around 1330 that two brothers, Ralph and John, moved from Lancashire to Roxburgh to establish the main Kerr families of Scotland. Ralph's descendants became the Kerrs of Ferniehurst, the senior branch, while John's descendants became the Kerrs of Cessford.
The two powerful Borders families quickly became adversaries. The Kerrs became Crown vassals, accumulating more powerful positions as the Douglas families fell apart.
Andrew Kerr of Cessford obtained a charter to the barony of Old Roxburgh in 1451, and six years later became warden of the marches. By royal charter in 1502, the barony of Oxnam became Sir Andrew Kerr of Ferniehirst's, and he was appointed warden of the middle marches.
Twelve years later, another Sir Andrew Kerr of Cessford took over the office. Mark Kerr, his grandson, rose through the ranks to become the first Earl of Lothian in 1606. The male line ended abruptly with the death of his son in 1624, and the title failed.
Sir Robert of Ferniehirst was created Earl of Ancram, and Sir Robert of Cessford, by 1616 spelling his surname Ker, was created Earl of Roxburghe. In 1631, the Earldom of Lothian was resurrected for the Earl of Ancram's son. The marriage of William Kerr of Ferniehirst and Ann Ker of Cessford in this year put an end to the family feud.
Following the dubious Union with England in 1707, the Roxburghe title was elevated to the rank of dukedom. The dukedom of Roxburghe was acquired in marriage in 1805 by the chief of Clan Innes, who changed his name to Innes-Ker.
Although the main residence is the mansion of Monteviot, the twelfth Marquess of Lothian, a descendant of William and Ann, lives at Ferniehirst Castle.
Kerr Places & People
Clan Kerr People
Lord Mark Kerr (c1745)
Lord Kerr, the son of the first Marquess of Lothian, the Lord Justice General of Scotland, rose to prominence as a distinguished soldier. He is described as having a quick temper and an elevated sense of personal reverence, which led to many duels.
These he clearly won, rising to the rank of general and becoming governor of Edinburgh Castle in 1745.
Ker, William Paton
Ker, William Paton (1855-1923)
W P Ker moved to Oxford after studying at Glasgow University in his hometown, where he became a fellow of All Souls.
In 1879, he returned to Edinburgh University as an assistant in Latin, and in 1883, he moved to Cardiff as Professor of English Literature and History. From 1889 to 1920, he taught in London before returning to Oxford as Professor of Poetry in 1920.
Epic and Romance, 1896, The Dark Ages, 1904, Medievil English Literature, 1912, and The Art of Poetry, 1923 are among his works. He died while hill climbing, and a W P Ker Memorial Lecture is held in his honor at Glasgow University.
Deborah Kerr (September 30, 1921 – October 16, 2007)
Deborah Kerr, an actress, was born in Glasgow in 1921 and spent her childhood in nearby Helensburgh. Kerr began her career as a stage actor before transitioning to film, appearing in films such as The King & I, From Here to Eternity, The Innocents, Black Narcissus, and The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.
Kerr Tartans
Kerr Historic
Kerr Contemporary
Kerr Crest & Coats of Arms
Kerr Clan Crest:
Crest Description: The sun in his splendour, Or
Kerr Coats of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
Under Scottish heraldic law a coat of arms is awarded to an individual (with the exception of civic or corporate arms) . There is no such thing as a ‘family coat of arms’ The arms represented below are personal arms (with the above exceptions). Only the individual granted these arms has the right to use them.
David Russell KER
Canada
Gules on a chevron invected Argent three mullets of the field and in base a stag’s head erased Or guttes de sang all within a bordure invected of the second charged with three mullets of the field for difference. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
17th April 1914 22/40
KERR of Cessford (earlier – of Altonburn):
Vert, on a chevron, between three unicorns’ heads, erased, Argent, armed and maned, Or, as many mullets, Sable.
1) Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Gules, three mascles, Or (reportedly for Vipont, but probably correctly for St. Michael), 2nd and 3rd, Azure, on a chevron, Argent, three mullets of eight points, Vert (for Kerr);
2) Gules, on a chevron, Argent, three mullets, Azure, and in base a unicorn’s head, erased, Argent;
3) Vert, on a chevron, Argent, three mullets, Gules, and in base a unicorn’s head, erased, Argent, horned, Or.
KERR of Ferniehurst
Gules, on a chevron, Argent, three mullets, of the field.
KERR, Duke of Roxburghe
Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Vert, on a chevron, between three unicorns’ heads, erased, Argent, armed and maned, Or, as many mullets, Sable (for Kerr); 2nd and 3rd, Gules, three mascles, Or (for Vipont).
KERR, Marquess of Lothian
Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Azure, the sun in his splendour, Proper (for the title of Lothian); 2nd and 3rd, Gules, on a chevron, Argent, three mullets, of the field (for Kerr).
KER OF SESFUIRDE
Quarterly: 1st and 4th Gules, three mascles Or (Weapont) 2nd and 3rd Azure, on a chevron Argent three mullets of eight points Vert (Ker).
Sir David Lindsay’s Armorial, 1542
DL311
KER OF SESFURD
Gules, on a chevron Argent three mullets Azure and in base a unicorn’s head erased Argent
Seton Armorial, 1591
SN271
KER OF SESFORDVert, on a chevron Argent three mullets Gules and in base a unicorn’s head erased Argent horned Or
Dunvegan Armorial, c1600
DV170
KER OF SESSFORDVert, on a chevron between three unicorns’ heads erased Argent as many stars Sable.
Alexander Nisbet’s System of Heraldry 1722
KER OF PHERNIHIRST
Gules, on a chevron Argent three cinquefoils Gules and in base a stag’s head erased Or.
Queen Mary’s Roll, 1562 – QM005
KER OF PHAIRNYHIRST
Gules on a chevron Argent three mullets Azure in base a stag’s head erased Or.
Armorial of Sir David Lindsay of the Mount (Secundus)
KER OF SAMYSTOVN
Argent, a unicorn rampant Sable. Foreman’s Armorial, 1563
FAL180
KER OF CHATTO
Gules, on a chevron Argent three stars Gules and in base a buck’s head erased Argent
KER OF GREENHEAD
Gules on a chevron between a crescent in chief Argent and a stag’s head in base erased Or three mullets of the first. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1672-7
KER OF CAVERS
Gules on a chevron Argent three mullets of the field within a bordure chequy of the second and first. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1672-7
KER OF CHATTO
Gules on a chevron between a crescent in chief Argent and a stag’s head in base erased Or three mullets of the first within a bordure Azure. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1672-7
KER OF KNOCK
Azure on a chevron Argent between two holly leaves in chief proper and [in base] a unicorn’s head erased of the second attired Or three mullets Gules. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1672-7
KER OF LITTLEDEAN
Quarterly 1st & 4th Vert on a chevron Argent three mullets Gules and in base a unicorn’s head erased of the second 2nd & 3rd Azure three crosses moline Argent (for Ainslie of Dolphinton). Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1672-7
KER OF MORISTON
Quarterly 1st & 4th Vert on a chevron Argent three mullets Gules and in base a unicorn’s head erased of the second 2nd & 3rd Azure three crosses moline Argent (for Ainslie of Dolphinton) all within a bordure Argent. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1672-7
KER OF SUNDERLANDHALL
Gules on a chevron Argent three mullets of the first and in base a stag’s head erased Or all within a bordure invected of the second. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1672-7 1st Matric
Master Andrew KER
Sheriff of Linlithgo
Vert on a chevron crenelle between a unicorn’s head erased in chief and a stag’s head couped in base Argent three mullets Sable. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1672-7
KER OF YAIR now of SUNDERLANDHALL
Gules on a chevron Argent three mullets Azure in base a stag’s head erased Or guttee de sang. . Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1692-8 2nd Matric
John KERR
Writer, Glasgow
Gules on a chevron cotised Argent three mullets of the field. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1880
KERR OF GALLOWHILL
Gules on a chevron Argent two mullets Azure in base a fusil of the second. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1867
SCOTT KERR OF CHATTO
Quarterly 1st & 4th Gules on a chevron between a crescent in chief Argent and a stag’s head in base erased Or three mullets of the first within a bordure Azure. 2nd & 3rd Or on a bend Azure a mullet of six points between two crescents of the field and in the sinister chief point a rose Gules stalked and barbed proper surmounted of a martlet Argent. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1837
Colonel James KERR
H.E.I.C.S.
Gules on a chevron embattled between a fleur de lys in chief and a martlet in base Argent three mullets of the field. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1806
William KERR
Physician, Northampton
Gules on a chevron between a fleur de lys in chief and a martlet in base Argent three mullets of the field. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1787
KERR OF BOUGHTRIG
Gules on a chevron Argent three mullets of the field within a bordure of the second. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1787
Maj. Francis Ernest KERR
Gules on a chevron engrailed Argent three mullets of the field. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
27th December 1937 32/79s
William Walter Raleigh KERR
Gules on a chevron between three eagles close Argent as many mullets of the field. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
28th February 1935 31/37
Capt. Philip Walter KER
Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms
Gules on a chevron Argent three mullets of the field in the chief point a mullet a bordure of the second for difference. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
8th July 1929 28/44
Kerr
Alistair William Jackson Kerr
Arms: Gules, a chevron argent, three fleurs-de-Lys of the first
Crest: a unicorn’s head erased Argent, armed and maned Or , charged on the neck with a fleur-de-Lys Gules
Motto: SEMPER SERIO
Granted at the Court of the Lord Lyon 26th January 2001.
David Russell KER
Canada
Gules on a chevron invected Argent three mullets of the field and in base a stag’s head erased Or guttes de sang all within a bordure invected of the second charged with three mullets of the field for difference. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
17th April 1914 22/40
(Lord) Walter Talbot KERR
Gules on a chevron Argent three mullets of the field in the chief point a mullet of the second for difference. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
10th March 1913 21/80
Hon Sir Arthur Milford KER
Gules on a chevron invected Argent three mullets of the field and in base a stag’s head erased Or powdered with guttes de sang all within a bordure invected of the second charged with a crescent of the first for difference. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
25th March 1912 21/47
William David KER
Vert on a chevron between two unicorns’ heads erased Argent crined and horned Or in chief and a mascle of the second in base three mullets Gules. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
11th April 1910 20/63
Sir John Henry INNES-KER Bt
Duke of Roxburghe
Quarterly, 1st and 4th grandquarters counter quartered i and iv Vert on a chevron between three unicorn’s heads erased Argent as many mullets Sable (for KER) ii and iii Gules three mascles Or (for WEAPONT) 2nd and 3rd grandquarters Argent three mullets of six points Azure (for INNES OF THAT ILK). An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
16th December 1904 18/14
Mrs Margaret KERR
Argent on a chevron Azure three mullets Or on a canton ermine a man’s heart proper pierced by three passion nails of the third. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1892
Rev. Beauchamp K W KERR-PEARSE
Rector of Ascot, Bucks.
Quarterly 1st & 4th Azure the sun in his splendour proper 2nd & 3rd Gules on a chevron Argent three mullets of the field all within a bourdure quarterly Argent and Or. Sir James Balfour Paul’s Scottish Ordinary.
1891
Alistair William Jackson KERR
Gules, a chevron argent, three fleurs-de-Lys of the first. Court of the Lord Lyon
26th January 2001
James William Coul KERR
Gules on a chevron cottised Argent a martlet between two escallops Azure. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
27th August 1968 51/60
George KERR OF FULWOODHEAD
Gules on a chevron Argent cottised Or three mullets of the first and in base a hunting horn of the second stringed of the third. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
28th March 1968 51/40
Rt Hon Sir Archibald CLARK-KERR
Baron Inverchapel
Per pale dexter Gules sinister per fess Sable and Or a fess cheuy Azure and Argent surmounted of a chevron of the last charged with three mullets of the first all between the sun in his splendour of the third and a boar’s head couped of the fifth armed of the third and langued of the first inchief and a crescent in base counter changed. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
6th June 1948 36/133
Lt Col the Rt Hon Charles Iain KERR
Baron Teviot
Quarterly 1st & 4th Gules on a chevron Argent three mullets of the field (for Kerr of Fernihurst) 2nd & 3rd Per fess Gules and Vert on a chevron Argent between in chief three mascles Or and in base a unicorn’s head of the third horned of the fourth three mullets of the first at the fess point of the escutcheon a Rose Or. An Ordinary of Arms Volume II 1902-1973
5th November 1943 34/78
By ScotsTee
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