Features: Scottish Clan Early Genealogy - Clan Johnston

Motto: Nunquam Non Paratus (Never not ready)
Historic Seat: Lochwood Tower
District: Galloway
Associated Surnames: Johnstone, Rome
Associated Tartans:

Early Johnston Genealogy and History:
(Excerpt from "The Scottish Clans and Their Tartans", James Grant, 1906)

Sir John de Johnstoun, living 1296, had a son John, who was father of Gilbert, living 1360. Gilbert was father of Sir John de Johnstoun, who was succeeded by his son Sir John Johnston. The last-named had one son, Adam, and probably another named Gilbert, of Gretna, who was ancestor of the Johnstons of Newbie, Mylnefield, and Galabank. There was also an illegitimate branch of the Gretna family, who were for some time Lords Ruthven.

The above-named Adam Johnston was twice married. The name of his first wife is unknown, but he had at least one son by her, named John, ancestor of the Johnstones of Westerhall. Adam's second wife was Lady Janet Dunbar, widow of John, Lord Seton, and daughter of the Earl of March, and by her he had Sir Gilbert, ancestor of the Johnstones of Elphinstone.

John, first of the Annandale family, was father of James, who was succeeded by his son Adam, who died, 1509, leaving a son, James, father of John, and also of James of Wamphray, whose male line became extinct about 1656. The elder son, John, had two sons; the younger, Robert of Raecleuch, left descendants who died out about 1656; the elder, James left a son, John, who died 1586, and was succeded by his son, Sir James, who was murdered by John, seventh Lord Maxwell, 1608. Sir James's son, James, was created Lord Johnstone, 1633, and Earl of Hartfell, 1643. The Earl was succeeded by his son James, created Earl of Annandale and Hartfell, 1661.

The second Earl was succeeded by his son William, who was created Marquess of Annandale, 1701. He was twice married. By his first marriage he had James, second Marquess, who die without issue, 1729, and Henrietta, who married Charles, first Earl of Hopetoun; she is now represented by the Hope Johnstones of Annandale. By his second marrige the first Marquess had George, third Marquess, who died insane, 1792. From Matthew, first of the Westerhall family, descended Sir James, who died 1699. He left two sons; the elder, Sir John, was created a Baronet, 1700, but dying without issue, the title went to the younger son, Sir William, who died leaving two sons, Sir James, third Baronet of Westerhall, and John, who son Richard was created a Baronet, 1795, whose grandson, Harcourt, third Baronet, was created Baron Derwent, 1881.

The third Baronet of Westerhall left six sons (1) Sir James, fourth Baronet, died unmarried, 1794; (2) Alexander, Lieut.-Col., died unmarried 1783; (3) Sir William, fifth Baronet, who died leaving a daughter, Henrietta, created Countess of Bath, 1805; (4) George, whose son, Sir John, became sixth Baronet, and was grandfather of the present Sir Frederic, eighth Baronet of Westerhall; (5) John, ancestor of the Johnstones of Alva; (6) Gideon, R.N.¹ Sir Gilbert, first of the Elphinstone family, married Amy, heiress of Elphinstone. His descendant Samuel was created a Baronet, 1627, and his grandson, Sir James, third Baronet, is supposed to have died without issue. The north country Johnstons descend from Stephen Cherrie, who married Margaret, daughter and heiress of Sir Andrew Garioch, with whom he obtained a Barony of Johnston, which gave the name to his descendants. He is now represented by Sir William Johnston, ninth Baronet of Hilton and Caskieben. There were also Johnstons of Beirholm, Warriston, Sheens, etc.

(End excerpt)

Next page: Clan Kerr

Footnotes:

¹ R.N.: Royal Navy