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 WHAT IS BRIGHTER THAN THE STARS Clan Crest © Art Pewter Silver Ltd, East Kilbride, Scotland |
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The name Baillie derives from Baliol, which is Norman. However the name Baliol became unpopular and after the ascension of Robert the Bruce to the Scottish throne, many named Baliol changed their name to Baillie.
William de Baliol came into possession of lands in Lanarkshire and a charter was granted to his son in 1358 confirming the ownership of these lands. A younger son of William became Constable of Inverness Castle, held by Lord Huntly.
The clan declined after taking the part of the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots and their lands were forfeited as a result. However by the time of the Covenanters in the 17th century, the clan was protestant. During this century they acquired more lands in Lanarkshire and also in Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders. These Baillies are the ancestors of the present Earl of Haddington. Baillies can also be found in the Inverness area, being descended from a son of the Laird of Lamington who took part in the Battle of Brechin in 1452. The home of the clan is considered to be Lamington in Lanarkshire and during the Victorian era the Member of Parliament, Baillie Cochran, spent fifty years re-vitalising the area, including the Episcopal church.The Title of Baillie of Lamington has often been held by females as well as by male heirs but finally became vacant in 1880. . |