Lundin

Originally thought to be derived from lands in Forfarshire and Fife, the name of Lundin appears to arise from one Robert de London, who came to Scotland before the reign of Alexander II. Philip de Lundin was granted a barony near Largo in Fife, and his brother Malcolm, received lands in Forfarshire. Malcolm’s son, Thomas, was appointed doorward (a gatekeeper, or janitor) by William the Lion and was later called by the surname Durward. The doorward’s was an important post, and in this case would imply close personal confidence and trust by the king. The Doorwards’ son, Alan, was appointed justiciar, and assumed the title ‘Earl of Athol’, to which he did not appear to have any right. However, he married the natural daughter of Alexander II, and this close royal connection may have promoted the marriage of Robert, natural son of William the Lion, to the heiress of the house of Lundin. Robert assumed the Lundin surname, and thereafter the Lairds of Lundin proudly proclaimed their twice-royal blood, their coat of arms leaving this in no doubt. 

In 1648 Sir John Lundin of Lundin was succeeded by his daughter, Margaret, whose husband, Robert Maitland, assumed her name and the family coat of arms along with the estates. He joined with the Duke of Hamilton in the engagement for the rescue of Charles I in 1648, and fought at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. He was captured and remained a prisoner for some years until he paid a heavy fine. The line again passed through a female and in 1679 John Drummond received a royal warrant to add his wife’s coat of arms, which were virtually those of the Kings of Scots, to his own. He held high office, first as Deputy Governor of Edinburgh Castle, and later as Secretary of State. He was created Earl of Melfort in 1685. He married twice and left his Drummond titles to his second family, as the Lundins were staunch Protestants and the Drummonds were among the most ardent of Jacobites. His son, James Lundin, succeeded to his mother’s estates, which his descendants 
ultimately sold.