Clan Maxwell

Profile

Region

Lowland

District

Dumfries

Clan Maxwell has no chief, and is an armigerous clan

Historic seat

Caerlaverock Castle

Last Chief

William Maxwell of Carruchan

Died

1863

Septs of Clan Maxwell

Adair, Blackstock, Dinwiddie, Dinwoddie, Dinwoodie, Dunwoodie, Edgar, Egarr, Halldykes, Herries, Kirk, Kirkdale, Kirkhaugh, Kirkland, Kirko, Latimer, Latimore, Macetterick, Macettrick, Macgetrick, Macgettrich, Macgettrick, Macghittich, Machethrick, Macittrick, Mackethrick, Macketterick, Mackitterick, Mackittrick, Macsata, Macsetree, Maxey, Maxon, Maxton, Monreith, Moss, Nithdale, Paulk, Peacock, Poak, Pogue, Poke, Polk, Pollock, Pollok, Sturgeon, and Wardlaw

Clan branches
Maxwell of Cardoness Maxwell of Monreith Maxwell of Sprinkel Maxwell of Pollock

Allied clans
Clan Pollock Clan Heron

Rival clans
Clan Johnstone Clan Douglas

Clan Maxwell is a Lowland Scottish clan 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.

The claimed origin of the name Maxwell is that it comes from Maccus Well, a pool in the River Tweed near Kelso, Scottish Borders. Maccus was believed to be a Norse chief who lived during the reign of David I of Scotland.

Sir John Maxwell was Chamberlain of Scotland but he died without issue and was succeeded by his younger brother, Aymer. From Aymer's sons sprang many branches of the family throughout south-west Scotland.

Sir Herbert Maxwell appears on the Ragman Rolls of 1296, swearing fealty to Edward I of England. Herbert's son, Eustace Maxwell held Caerlaverock Castle as a vassal of the English, however he later followed Robert the Bruce to the Battle of Bannockburn.

Eustace's descendant, another Sir Herbert, was created Lord Maxwell in about 1440. He took a seat as a Lord of Parliament. A branch of the clan, the Maxwells of Monreith descend from his second son and they were later created baronets in 1681.

The fifth Lord Maxwell intrigued with King Henry VII of England. In 1526 the Maxwells supported Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus at the Battle of Melrose where they defeated the forces of Sir Walter Scott. However, by 1542 King James V of Scotland had appointed him Warden of the Marches. Also in 1542 Lord Maxwell was captured at the Battle of Solway Moss.

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Wikipedia