Kirkcaldy

The families of this name hail from the lands in Fife where later developed the major town of the same name. The land is said to have been a site of worship for the ancient Celtic church, known as ‘Culdees’; hence ‘Kil Culdee’, which was ultimately corrupted to the more familiar name. Many in early times styled themselves as being ‘de Kyr Caudi’, and one of the earliest on record is Willilmus de Kyrcaudi, who was in holy orders in Stirling in 1299. Andreas de Kirkaldy was granted a pension by David II in 1363. The principal families appear to have acquired lands at Inchture in Perth and Grange in Fife. The house of Inchture ended very early in the direct line by the marriage in 1396 of Marjory, daughter and heir of John of Inchture, to Reginald, son of Richard Kinnaird of that Ilk. They thereafter styled themselves ‘of Inchture’, and Lord Kinnaird still resides on the lands of Inchture to this day. However, the family of Grange prospered, Sir James Kirkcaldy of Grange becoming treasurer to James V. His son, William, was renowned as one of the bravest and most accomplished soldiers of his time. After the disastrous Battle of Solway Moss in 1542, James visited the house of Kirkcaldy of Grange, where he was well received by the treasurer’s wife, Kirkcaldy himself being absent. The king is said to have predicted that he would die within the next fifteen days. Kirkcaldy of Grange and William were with the king when he died at Falkland Palace on 13 December 1542. Having been advised of the birth of his daughter and only heir, the future Mary, Queen of Scots, the king is said to have expired with the famous words, ‘it cam wi’ a lass and it will gae wi’ a lass’. His words were to be as prophetic as the prediction of his own death. The treasurer’s son, William, was a staunch defender of Queen Mary, and held Edinburgh Castle against the forces of her enemies, led by the Regent Morton, until the siege forced him to surrender on 29 May 1573. He was promised fair treatment, but he and his brother were hanged at the Market Cross in Edinburgh. However, the lands were restored to a nephew and in 1664 the family received a baronetcy. The title became extinct in 1739.

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