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The Maxwell Baronetcy of Calderwood was created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia in 1627.
The Baronetage of Nova Scotia was devised in 1624 as a means of settling the plantation of that province. King James I announced his intention of creating 100 baronets, each of whom was to support six colonists for two years (or pay 2000 marks in lieu thereof) and also to pay 1000 marks to Sir William Alexander, to whom the province had been granted by charter in 1621.
The purchaser was Sir James Maxwell (died c1670). The 2nd Bart died without issue. The 3rd Bart was son of Colonel John Maxwell who died in Dunbar in 1650. The 6th Bart died without issue. The 7th Bart was son of Alexander Maxwell of Leith, third son of 4th Bart.
In 1885 James Maxwell, 9th Baron Farnham succeeded his distant relative as eleventh Baronet of Calderwood. The title passed to Somerset Maxwell, 10th Baron Farnham and continued to the descendents of Baron Farnham
As of 30 June 2006, the present holder of the barony has not successfully proven his succession to the baronetcy and is therefore not on the Official Roll of the Baronetage. The case is under review by the Registrar of the Baronetage
Created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia on 8 January 1681 for William Maxwell of Monreith, in the County of Wigtown. The 2nd baronet sat as the MP for Wigtown Burghs in 1713–1715. The 5th baronet sat as MP for Wigtownshire in 1805–1812 and 1822–1830, and the 7th baronet sat for the same consituency from 1880 to 1906, going on to become Lord Lieutenant of Wigtown.