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| Celtic Radio Community > Surnames & Heraldry > Hamilton |
| Posted by: Macfive 28-Oct-2006, 05:15 PM |
| Background: The story of the Hamiltons is a story of bravery, romance, intrigue, splendor, ambition, and yes, even treachery. It can be rightly claimed that the history of this great family is the history of Scotland. The Hamiltons were the most important of the Lowland clans. The current Hamilton 'chief', Angus Douglas Hamilton, 15th Duke of Hamilton, is still the Premier Duke of Scotland, the Hereditary Keeper of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and a member of the Royal Company of Archers. At one time they aspired to the crown itself, as serious rivals to the Stuarts. Though they did not lead the same lifestyle as the Highland clans, their hereditary chiefship, network of cadet houses with dependents, and their distinctive tartan make it clear they were truly a Scottish Clan, with the sense of blood kinship and family loyalties which are inseparable from this concept. Since early in the 14th century, the Hamilton family has played a prominent part in Scottish history. It was a Hamilton who fought alongside Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn: a Hamilton who was heir to the Scottish throne in the 16th century and who arranged the marriage between Mary Queen of Scots and the Dauphin of France; and it was a Hamilton that Hess tried to contact by parachuting into Scotland during World War II. Variations: Hamilton, Hameldon, Hamildune, Hamildone, Hameldone, Hamiltun, Hamiltune, Hamildone, Hambledon, Hamblenden, Hambeden, Hambeldene, Hameledene, Hamelden, Hamilden, Hameldon, Hamelton, Hambleton More Info: http://heraldry.celticradio.net/search.php?id=80 Discussion of this family is welcomed. |