Douglas coat of arms      

 

History of the Douglas family

Version 1: Sholto Douglas
was the mythical Progenitor of the House of Douglas, a powerful and warlike family in Medieval Scotland. A Mythical battle took place: "in 767, betwe"in 767, between King Solvathius rightful king of Scotland and a pretender Donald Bane. The victory was so nearly Donald's when a certain noble man, disdaining to see so bad a cause have good successe, struck in for the king and turned the fortunes of the day. When the king inquired about the knight who had done such valuable service, somebody exclaimed "Sholto du glasse!"..."Behold the black gray man!".." (Ane Historie of the House and Race of Douglas and Angus, David Hume of Godscroft, Edinburgh 1646).

 

2. There is the following tradition in regard to the origin of the name. In the year 770 Solvathius king of Scotland, obtained a victory over Donald Bain of the Western Isles, by the assistance of a man who was unknown to him. After the battle, being desirous to see one who had done him so signal a service, he was pointed out to him with these words: " Sholto Dhuglass," behold that swarthy man. One of this family, Sir William Douglas, entered into the service of Charlemagne and was the founder of the family of Douglassi in Tuscany. Sir James de Douglas took the heart of Robert Bruce to the Holy Land, to commemorate which his descendants have ever since horn a crowned heart in their arms. Before the death of Bruce in 1329 the arms of the family were azure, three mullets argent.


3 The first Douglas to stride across the stage of Scottish history was Sir William Douglas who fought and died for William Wallace. His son, Sir James Douglas was a supporter and lifelong friend of Robert the Bruce. "Good Sir James" died taking Bruce's heart on a crusade to the Holy Land. The 2nd Earl of Douglas died at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388 as his army defeated an English force led by Prince Henry "Hotspur". In 1402 the 4th Earl was defeated by the same Henry Hotspur at the Battle of Homildon Hill.

Clan Douglas Gathering 2014Gathering 2014

 

A gathering of the clan will take place in Scotland 30th June - 6th July 2014, the week following the anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Bannockburn.

The Scottish Government has already nominated 2014 as the year of the Homecoming, and this seems like an opportunity for Douglas family members from around the world to meet and develop their links with Scotland and each other.

Keep in touch by joining our newsletter mailing list.
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Researching our family history can be a lonely task - but it needn't be.  Others are probably researching similar areas, and by exchanging information, we can build up our knowledge more quickly, test ideas and even ask someone better placed to visit cemeteries, public record offices or libraries to track down that elusive ancestor.

The Douglas Archives Community Network is a place where you, our visitor, can interact with others researching their Douglas history and genealogy.  You can set up your own profile and page, add a blog, set up a discussion or post photographs.  You can even decide how your page will look!
   
Recently revised pages


Sally E. Douglas05/18/2013
Douglas flags and banners05/15/2013
Douglas Archives site statistics 05/14/2013
Stained glass05/13/2013
Douglas Gazeteer05/12/2013
Crests on objects 05/10/2013
Cigarette cards05/09/2013
Douglas Motorcycles05/02/2013
Coats of arms - people05/02/2013
Battle of Skirmish Hill04/22/2013
Torin Douglas, Living 200404/19/2013
Biographies - religious04/17/2013
Biographies of Douglas artists04/16/2013
Captain Alexander Douglas, abt 184004/14/2013
Baron Caspar Breugel-Douglas, born 175204/08/2013
Edwin James Douglas,1848-191404/05/2013
George Douglas, 16th Earl of Morton04/05/2013
Sholto Douglas, 15th Earl of Morton,1732-1774 04/05/2013
Justice William O. Douglas, 1898 - 198004/03/2013
William Douglas, 1745-181004/01/2013
Douglas-Hamilton 03/26/2013
William, 3rd Duke of Hamilton, 1634-169403/26/2013
Alfred Douglas-Hamilton, 13th Duke of Hamilton, 1862– 1940)03/26/2013
Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, 1909-196403/26/2013
Paul Douglas, 1907-195903/24/2013
Sholto Douglas-Home, Living 200503/23/2013
Andrew Douglas-Home, b195003/23/2013
Sir Howard Douglas, 1776 - 186103/22/2013
Saint George Douglas, K158703/22/2013
Douglas postcards03/21/2013
Lady Mary Douglas-Hamilton, Princess of Monaco03/21/2013
William, 6th Earl of Morton03/19/2013
Robert, 8th Earl of Morton03/19/2013
Armorial carvings 03/18/2013
Coats of Arms - places03/18/2013
Dr William Douglas, living 1746 03/13/2013
Douglas Headstones 03/13/2013
Crests for Douglas organisations 03/12/2013
Bishop John Douglas, 1743-1812 03/12/2013
Military Biographies03/07/2013
Douglas of Whiterigs03/06/2013
Douglas with West Indies connections03/06/2013
Admiral The Honourable Sir Cyril Eustace Douglas-Pennant, 1894 – 196103/03/2013
Glenfinart House03/02/2013
Biographies of Douglas authors and poets03/02/2013
Morton castle02/27/2013
John James Douglas, 1792-183602/27/2013
Durisdeer Church02/25/2013
James Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry02/25/2013
James Douglas, 1858-191102/24/2013
SS Douglas02/21/2013
George Douglas-Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney c1666 - 173702/17/2013
Major Sholto W. Douglas, killed 191402/15/2013
Camp Morton 02/14/2013

 

What's new?

jonathon Douglas, b196205/18/2013
Sir Robert Douglas, 1899-199605/18/2013
Robert Douglas, 1930-201005/18/2013
Cape Morton05/13/2013
Oliver - Douglas vassals 05/12/2013
Black Douglas motor yacht05/11/2013
Quincy Douglas, d198605/02/2013
Thomas Dunlop Douglas, 1776-186904/28/2013
Louisa County deeds04/27/2013
Henry, Lord Darnley04/22/2013
Vreta Abbey, Sweden04/17/2013
Rev George Robinson-Douglas, 1813-187804/17/2013
Rupert Douglas, c165804/16/2013
Rev James Douglas, k194404/15/2013
William Douglas, living 191804/15/2013
Rev William Douglas, 1708-179804/15/2013
Charles Remond Douglass, b184404/12/2013
Francisco Tudela van Breugel Douglas, born 20 July 195504/08/2013
Robert, Baron van Breugel Douglas, 1791-187304/08/2013
Glenn Douglas04/07/2013
Skelmorlie Aisle04/05/2013
Bishop Valentine Douglas, d159804/05/2013
Archibald Douglas of Blythswood,1809-186804/03/2013
Regent Morton's House04/03/2013
Seal of Margaret, Countess of Angus04/01/2013
Dukes of Brandon04/01/2013
Douglas hatchments03/28/2013
Will - Honourable & Reverend Charles Douglas of Earlsgift 27 May 185703/27/2013
Hon Rev Charles Douglas of Earlsgift, 1791-185703/27/2013
Alasdair Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton, b1939 03/26/2013
Douglas-Hamilton plate 03/26/2013
Douglas bookplates03/22/2013
Douglas, Wyoming 03/21/2013
Douglas Park, Chicago 03/21/2013
Duke of Monmouth03/21/2013
Grimaldi of Monaco03/21/2013
St Mary's Isle Priory03/21/2013
Charles, 12th earl of Home, 1834-191803/18/2013
William, 6th Duke of Buccleugh03/18/2013
Representative peers 03/18/2013
Cospatrick, 11th Earl of Home03/18/2013
Hamilton Palace Mausoleum03/18/2013
James Douglas, Commendator of Melrose03/13/2013
The University of Glasgow mace03/13/2013
Douglas, Massachusetts03/13/2013
Margaret Tudor, 1489-1581 03/12/2013
Stephen Douglas Monument Park03/12/2013
Douglas Island, Alaska 03/12/2013
Edinburgh treaty - 132803/12/2013
Lesudden House 03/11/2013
Composition of a coat of arms03/10/2013
Darnley/Lennox Jewel03/10/2013
Prof. Gillian Douglas, living 2013 03/09/2013
Paterson - Douglas vassals 03/09/2013
John Douglas, 2010 02/24/2013

 
Recent research has revealed considerable Douglas involvement in the development of world trade in the sugar industry. but it is an area about which we wish to learn more.  can you contribute? >>>. Douglases on TV
In 1452 James invited William, 8th Earl of Douglas, to Stirling Castle. James demanded that Douglas end an alliance with the MacDonalds. In the argument that followed Douglas was stabbed to death. See the BBC video here>>> and look for 1452 AD
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Index of first names


Current 'Hot Links'

  • 2014 Douglas Clan Gathering

  • 30th June - 6th July
  • Community Network - the place to make friends with others researching their Douglas roots and work collabritively.

  • Robert Burns, Slavery and the Douglases


  • Miscellaneous lists of names


  • Was Lady Janet a witch? Read her story here..or read about Douglas ghosts
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  • The clan system - a new section guiding us through the clan structure


  • The Queensberry curse? - The sad death of Lord Milo places the focus back on the families sad history

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  • American settlers and Scottish emigrants


  • Did Jane Douglas have twins?  Or were they 'acquired' in Paris?
  • Slaves and slavers The Douglas Heart The Douglas Store
    Slaves and tales of daring-do, as the Douglases hunt down the slave traders>>
    A heart features on many Douglas family coats of arms, crests etc, including the one at the top of this page. Find out why... >> Frederick Douglas: Slave, Writer, Abolitionist (Signature Lives Civil War Era) Our store is now open for business! Books, videos and much more. Visit the Douglas Heritage store... >>
    Are you a Douglas descendant of any of the Earls of Angus, and descendants of the Earls of Morton prior to the 1700s? The Douglas DNA project needs samples of men who are known to be descended from these two lines, in order to verify the DNA types involved. We want to do this in order to allow modern Douglas families to focus their geneaological research into the correct branches of the Douglas tree to find their ancestors. If you are known to descend from these lines the Douglas DNA project may be able to pay for your DNA test.      Lineage testing by DNA  >> We are hoping to make contact with members of the Douglas family who have been in Europe for centuries. Douglases have been in Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, and possibly other countries, for many generations. We would like to find male representatives of these families to assist our Douglas DNA project. The Douglas DNA project may be able to pay for DNA tests for suitable candidates from these families.

    Lineage testing by DNA >>
    Almost all people of native European descent, wherever they may live throughout the world, can trace their ancestry back to one of seven women, hence, the Seven Daughters of Eve.  >>
    We have now made available a selection of books on the Douglas family, Scottish history and genealogy all available direct from Amazon. >>
    Google news headlines from around the world on stories involving 'Douglas'. >>

    A recent painting of the Black Douglas has been unveiled. >>

    chess piece 

    Video image 

    James Douglas chess piece
    This pewter model is part of Nigel Tranter's Bannockburn Limited Edition Chess Set. This specially devised and commissioned by Morag and John Morgan exclusively for Cornerstone. Additional models can be seen in our heraldry section.
     
    A slideshow from a visit to Douglas, Lanarkshire, is now available, depicting The Good Sir James, Douglas Castle and St Bride's Church.
    James Douglas is a legendary figure in British Columbia, from his fur trade days at Fort St. James to his dual governorship of Vancouver Island and British Columbia. >>

         
    How The Douglas Archives work: What else is new??
    We have collected information from a variety of sources, some of it contradictory! Where the errors are obvious, we have corrected them; where there is doubt, we have shown both options. Scripts from old documents may not have scanned in well, and these will be amended as time goes by.< The early history of the Douglases is far from certain.  Early chroniclers often got it wrong.  The editor of The Douglas Archives claims to be no better!< Researchers are, as always, advised to verify information before taking it as gospel. There are two search options - one for the history section and one for the genealogy section.  Try both to find your missing ancestor. oh yes!  The community network also has its own search facility. If you find something wrong - let us know. If you find something missing - tell us what it is.  This Archive is built from everyone's contributions.  Thank you. Major changes to the site will be notified through our Community Network.  Additions and significant revisions to the History section are listed above.

    Details of the last 12 individuals added to the database in the past 30 days are automatically recorded. With over 100,000 names, this growing resouce will prove invaluable to researchers. >>
    A TV programme charting the lively lifestyle of Princess Margaret has thrown up some interesting Douglas connections.  >>
    The royal marriage between Prince William and Catherine Middleton brings more Douglas connections.  >>

    Further royal connections can be discovered here... >>

    Cartoon - Earl of Douglas and brother

    Edinburgh Castle was the site of the infamous "Black Bull's Dinner" where 16 year old sixth Earl of Douglas and his 14 year old brother David were murdered in front of their 10 year old King (James II). >>
    Concerns are being expressed about the future of the Mausoleum in Castle Douglas  >>
    The Scots won the battle and captured the English leader Henry (Hotspur) Percy. When he offered to capitulate, he was directed to surrender to the bush under which Douglas was lying and so the battle became famous because it was won by a dead man.>>
         
    Not all Douglases have been goody goodies - read about horse thieves, and others.  >>

    Other stories of interest can be found in our Articles section.
    Our place in history
    "In the margin, about one-third into The Book of Clan Douglas, Volume III, are written the words: `This is about the time when the Earth began'." (Mary Murray, nee Mary Douglas, of Earltown: 1991)
    I have still a lot of work to do on this section, and all contributions will be welcomed.

    Click to enlarge this picture of Lance Corporal of Horse Chris 'Dougie' Douglass, serving in Afghanistan with Prince Harry. 

    The father of Lance Corporal of Horse Chris 'Dougie' Douglass, 27, had wondered why his son had stayed so tight-lipped about his desert operations.

    Gary Douglass, 55, from Sunderland said: "Usually he sends us emails and rings to let us know he's OK. But this time he did not tell us much about what he was doing. Now we know why. His mother has been very worried about him."

    Chris, who lives in Army accommodation in London with his wife and two children, Jake, 11, and Reece, five, said: "Harry's always got a smile on his face. Nobody cares about his background."

     
       
    How many ancestors do I have?
    I have been wondering how many ancestors I might have...

    Two parents, four grandparents, eight great grandparents... If I continue this series back at 3 generations per century, I find I have over a billion Viking-era ancestors. And 10^18 in the Roman era. And so on. This is plainly wrong. Where is the flaw in the logic?

     

     
     

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    Last modified: Tuesday, 14 May 2013