Tour Scotland Photograph Henry Monteith Hamilton Window Dunblane Cathedral

Tour Scotland photograph of the Reverend Henry Monteith Hamilton memorial stained glass window in the Cathedral in Dunblane, Scotland.

The noble Scottish family of the name, who hold many titles, including the Marquessate and Dukedom of Abercorn, and the Earldom of Haddington, are descended from Walter FitzGilbert de Hameldone, a Norman baron who gave his support to Robert the Bruce in the 13th Century. However, some bearers may derive their name from the town of Hamilton near Glasgow, founded by the Hamiltons, rather than from being members of the Norman family mentioned above. A branch of the family was established in Ireland by Sir Frederick Hamilton, died 1646. He later became governor of Ulster, and his descendants were created Viscounts Boyne. James Hamilton, first Earl of Abercorn, died 1617, was gentleman of the bedchamber to King James VI, and Sir Thomas Hamilton, Lord Drumcairn and Earl of Melrose, became first Earl of Haddington in 1626. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Wauter fiz Gilbert de Hamildone, which was dated 1296.



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