Alexanders of Menstrie

The Alexanders of Menstrie are a branch of Clan MacAlister of Scotland. The clan is said to descend from Gilbert de Insula, son of Alasdair Mòr.[1] The seat of the clan was at Menstrie Castle, Menstry (now Menstrie).

History of the clan

Origins

Gilbert received a charter in 1330 for half the lands of Glorat in the parish of Campsie in the Stirlingshire region.[2] John, a son of Gilbert was baillie of Forfar in 1377.[3] John also received a charter for the reversion of the barony of Lundie, in the Sheriffdom of Forfar, after the death of Jean, Countess of Strathdearn.

16th century

They held the lands of Tullibody and Menstrie in the 16th century under the superiority of the Earl of Argyll. The first Alexander of Menstry recorded is Thomas, who in 1505 acted as an arbitrtor in the dispute of the division of 40 acres in Clackmannanshire between the Abbot of Canibuskenneth and Sir David Bruce, Baron of Clackmannan.[4] A William Alexander occupied a holding on the estate of Tullibody in 1518. Andrew Alexander succeeded his father Thomas, had a charter from the Earl of Argyll of the lands of Menstry granted to himself and his spouse Catherine Graham. Their son Alexander was granted the charter of Menstry in 1527 and in 1529 was appointed as the baillie of the Earl of Argyll's Clackmannan estates. Alexander married Elizabeth Douglas and had a son Andrew.[5] Alexander was given five merklands of Dunsletter in the lordship of Menteith and sheriffdom of Perth. Andrew predeceased his father and William succeeded his father.[6] William's younger brother James received a charter of the land of Glencarse in the barony of Alloway from the Earl of Mar. After William's death his son Alexander succeeded him. Alexander married Marion Couttie and had a son Wiiliam. Alexander died in 1580 and his children were entrusted into the care of James.

17th century

Further lands of Tillicoultry were added in the 17th century. In 1631, Archibald MacAllister of Tarbert visited Sir William Alexander, Earl of Stirling at Menstry, and during this visit MacAllister acknowledged the Earl as his chief, however the Macalisters of Loup were the rightful chiefs.[7]

Irish links

A line of the family emigrated to Ulster in Northern Ireland, where a descendant became the Earl of Caledon in 1800.

Citations

  1. ↑ McAndrew 2006: p. 473.
  2. ↑ Macdonald; Macdonald 1900, 2: pp. 34–37.
  3. ↑ Macdonald; Macdonald 1900, 2: p. 34.
  4. ↑ Macdonald; Macdonald 1900, 2: p. 60.
  5. ↑ Macdonald; Macdonald 1900, 2: p. 61.
  6. ↑ Macdonald; Macdonald 1900, 2: p. 62.
  7. ↑ Macdonald; Macdonald 1900, 2: p. 54.

References