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Clan Marjoribanks (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Marjoribanks

Clan Crest: A demi-griffin Proper, issuant from a crest coronet Or

Clan Motto: Et Custos Et Pugnax (Both a preserver and a champion)

Historic Seat: Balbardie House, West Lothian

Clan Chief: Andrew George Marjoribanks of that Ilk

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Marjoribanks Clan History

In 1316, Princess Marjorie, King Robert the Bruce's only daughter, married Walter Stewart, High Steward of Scotland. She was thus the first royal Stewart, and as part of her marriage settlement, she received lands in Renfrewshire known as Terre de Marjorie, later Marjoribanks. The name is pronounced 'Marchbanks,' and Nisbet claims that the family who acquired the princess's lands and gave her name were originally related to the Johnston Lords of Annandale. He discovers proof of this in the family's coat of arms, which includes a gold cushion and a star. The Clan Johnstone coat of arms features three gold cushions, and a star in heraldry frequently refers to a spurrowel, which is part of Lord Annandale's crest.

The Marjoribanks rose to prominence in the early sixteenth century, when King James V of Scotland reinstituted the Court of Session, the Supreme Court of Scotland, in its modern form in 1532. Thomas Marjoribanks of that ilk was appointed as one of ten procurators, or pleaders, before the Lords of Session. Four centuries before legal aid, the Scottish Courts recognized the need for capable lawyers to represent the poor, and in March 1535, Thomas was appointed advocate 'for the puir' with a salary of £10.49 Scots per annum. He eagerly accepted the position but waived his right to a salary. His public-spirited nature was rewarded when he was appointed Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1540, representing the city in that year's Parliament, and again in 1546. He had acquired land at Ratho near Edinburgh through a charter in 1539, allowing him to assume the title 'Lord Ratho' ten years later upon his appointment as a judge. He rose to the position of Lord Clerk Register, acquiring more land in Spotts and Annandale.

Following the death of Lord Ratho, the chiefship passed to his grandson, and John's son, Thomas, who sold Ratho in 1614. Around 1624, the family purchased land in Balbardie. Christian Marjoribanks, thought to be Ratho's granddaughter, married George Heriot, goldsmith and financier to King James VI of Scotland and founder of the eponymous Edinburgh school. Heriot was so wealthy that he allegedly kept his purse filled with gold, and he was known as 'Jinglin' Geordie' to the people of Edinburgh.

Another notable lawyer who was appointed Writer to the King in 1716 was Andrew Marjoribanks of Balbardie and of that Ilk. He acted as Lord Torphichen's agent and was the commissary of Edinburgh, a key position in the administration of deceased estates. Alexander, his grandson, completed the circle by acquiring the Barony of Bathgate, which had also been part of Princess Marjorie's dowry. For over thirty years, he was convenor of Linlithgowshire, and in 1824, he voluntarily surrendered his baronial rights to allow Bathgate to become a burgh, with Alexander as its first Provost. Reverend Thomas Marjoribanks, Minister of Lochmadden and later of Stenton in East Lothian, eventually succeeded Alexander. In 1861, he sold the Balbardie and Bathgate estates to the trustees of Stewart's Hospital. His eldest son, Alexander, succeeded in 1869, but despite marrying twice, he died childless and was succeeded by his brother, Reverend George, who was also minister of Stenton at the time. The chiefship was to be held by two more ministers of religion until it passed to William Marjoribanks of that Ilk, the father of the current chief. Will Marjoribanks was an ecologist who worked for the Sudanese government in Khartoum on major conservation projects.

Marjoribanks Places & People

Clan Marjoribanks People

Tweedmouth's 2nd Baron Edward Marjoribanks

Edward Marjoribanks, 2nd Baron Tweedmouth KT PC (1849-1909).

British Liberal statesman who served in various capacities in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century Liberal governments. From 1880 to 1894, he was a Member of Parliament for Berwickshire before succeeding as Baron Tweedmouth. In 1886, he was Comptroller of the Household, and from 1892 to 1894, he was Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. From 1894 to 1895, he served as Lord Privy Seal, First Lord of the Admiralty from 1905 to 1908, and Lord President of the Council from April to October 1908.

In 1873, he married Fanny Spencer-Churchill, the daughter of John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough and Sir Winston Churchill's aunt. In 1886, he was made a Privy Counsellor, and in 1908, he was made a Knight of the Thistle.

Marjoribanks Tartans

Tartan Marjoribanks

The tartans listed below are appropriate for this name.

Ancient Johnstone

Johnstone Contemporary

Marjoribanks Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Marjoribanks Crest

A demi-griffin Proper issuing from a crest coronet, according to the crest description. Or

Coats of Arms of Marjoribanks:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.)