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 History
of the Douglas family
The origins of the Douglas family are lost in the mists of time. It is
said that "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).
Perhaps, at the time when surnames were first used, a family took the name
of the river that flows though what became known as Douglasdale, possibly
descendnats of Flemish settlers.
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. (Ane Historie of the House and
Race of Douglas and Angus, David Hume of Godscroft, Edinburgh 1646).
The first recorded 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. Not many Douglases died in their beds.
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The Douglas Sennachie.
Centuries ago each Highland community and clan had its Seanachaidh or Sennachie who was a recorder and reciter
of family history and genealogy. Proper respect
for one's genealogy and ancestors was important
in all dealings and in warfare between
Highlanders. Read more.... |
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.
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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!
There are several
groups serving differing specialist areas or
branches of the family in which to hold
discussions and share progress. |
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| Torin Douglas, Living 2024 | 11/30/2024 | | | Douglas Family Trees | 11/29/2024 | | | Biographies of Douglas artists | 11/28/2024 | | | Armorials - People | 11/22/2024 | | | James Douglas, 3rd Earl of Morton, dc1550 | 11/21/2024 | | | The Douglas-Bate Family | 11/19/2024 | | | Vice Admiral Sir (Henry) Percy Douglas, 1876-1939 | 11/19/2024 | | | Douglas titles | 11/15/2024 | | | John Douglas, 1813-1893 | 11/13/2024 | | | William Wallace Douglas, b. bef 1905 | 11/07/2024 | | | The Douglas family in France - People | 11/01/2024 | | | Admiral Sir James Douglas, 1703-1787 | 10/29/2024 | | | Haddington House | 10/28/2024 | | | Hailes Castle | 10/28/2024 | | | Rupert Douglas-Bate, b.1963 | 10/24/2024 | | | William, 11th Duke of Hamilton, 1811-1863 | 10/20/2024 | | | Douglas with West Indies connections | 10/10/2024 | | | Douglas of Kangaroo Point | 10/02/2024 | |
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| Alexander J. Douglas, b1827 | 12/02/2024 | | | Douglas, Indiana, USA | 12/02/2024 | | | Rev. George Douglas, 1769-1886 | 11/27/2024 | | | Walter Cornelius Douglas, 1919-2014 | 11/27/2024 | | | Cressida, RYS | 11/26/2024 | | | Bronwen Phyllis Douglas, b1946 | 11/26/2024 | | | Aydon Castle | 11/24/2024 | | | Judith Hyams Douglas, b1875 | 11/07/2024 | | | Lionel Peirce Douglas, k1942 | 11/06/2024 | | | James Stuart Diuglas, 1922-1977 | 11/06/2024 | | | James Douglas, 5th Earl of Buchan, d1601 | 11/06/2024 | | | Choylin Yim Douglas, fl2024 | 11/06/2024 | | | Richard Douglas, d1600 | 11/06/2024 | | | Douglases on Fiji | 11/05/2024 | | | William Campbell Douglass 1852 -1928 | 11/03/2024 | | | Kenneth James Douglas, fl2024 | 11/02/2024 | | | Publications by John Douglas | 10/21/2024 | | | The Douglas Family in Orkney | 10/21/2024 | | | Charles Douglas de Fenzi, 1863-1927 | 10/17/2024 | | | Cecilia Eliza Douglas, 1812 -1859? | 10/11/2024 | | | Douglas of Hemingford Abbots | 10/08/2024 | | | Duchy of Châtellerault | 10/02/2024 | | | Châtellerault, France and Scotland | 10/02/2024 | | | Sir Francis Douglas of Sandilands | 10/02/2024 | |
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Douglas in France |
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Douglas in Italy |
It is a moot point
as to whether the
Douglases arrived in
France at the time
of Charlemagne, or
more likely as
participants in the
100 Years War.
Steeped in the intricate tapestry of French history, the Douglas family stands as an enduring testament to resilience, legacy, and the fusion of cultures. With roots tracing back centuries, their narrative intertwines with pivotal moments in France's rich heritage, weaving a story of nobility, influence, and adaptation.
Find out
more in the
France section |
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It
is a moot point as to
whether the Douglases
arrived in France at the
time of Charlemagne, but
certainly the Douglas
Scotti claim that this
is the case.
The history of the Douglas Scotti family in Italy is a captivating tale of resilience, legacy, and influence. Dating back to several centuries, this noble family has left an indelible mark on Italian history.
Find out mire in
the
Italy section |
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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?
>>>.
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Douglas
History in Tapestry
The Great Scottish Tapestry tells the story
of Scotland in 160 embroidered panels,
each representing a different aspect.
Whilst not focusing specifically on the
Douglases, our selection shows how Scots
have spread around the world and the impact
that they have made. |
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Want to say
thank you?
Have you benefited
from the Douglas Archives? If you would like
to say 'Thank you', then now you can
make a small donation to make the
website an even better resource for future
researchers. |
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Index of first names
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Current 'Hot Links'
Supplementary to the Douglas Archives:
The Glenfunan Games - Games for all ages to enjoy whist learning about Douglas history and heritage
Community Network
- the place to make friends with others researching their
Douglas roots and work collaboratively.
Douglas tartans - our most
searched for page
Miscellaneous lists of names - The
list grows longer week by week. Can
you help identify these family members?
A repository of files associated with the Douglas DNA project is now available.
Our most visited section this week is information related to
slavery
The clan system - a
section guiding us through the clan structure
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Slaves and slavers
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The Douglas Heart |
Visiting Scotland? |
Slaves and tales of daring-do, as
the Douglases hunt down the slave traders>>
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A heart features on many
Douglas family coats of arms, crests etc, including the one at the top
of this page.
Find out why...
>> |
 We
have provided a selection of itineraries for those researching their
Douglas history and heritage in Scotland - and a map of places
connected with the family. >> |
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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
genealogical 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, France 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
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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.
>>
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Collections of names of those who have not yet been identified, or
who have still to have their stories written can be found
amongst our Lists of Names.
These range from poorhouse residents, through Darien investors
to coastguards and those who died by drowning. And many more.
Might your ancestor be one of them?
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Google news headlines from around the world
on stories involving 'Douglas'.
>>
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| Glenfunan Games |
Heraldry |
Newsletters |
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Our games section is a fun way to learn more about our
clan's history and heritage.
How well can you do in the
quiz?
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Our ever growing section on the family heraldry contains
hundred's of armorials from the wide reaches of the Douglases.
Each one represents an individual and perhaps includes an
element representing their wife.
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I have been collecting Douglas newsletters which contain a
wealth of research. If the topic is not in a Douglas
Archives article, it may well be in a newsletter.
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How The Douglas Archives
work: |
What else is new?? |
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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
almost 200,,000 names, this growing resource will prove invaluable to
researchers.
>> |
A TV programme charting the lively lifestyle of
Princess Margaret threw up some interesting Douglas
connections.
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The royal marriage between the then Prince of Wales and the now
Queen Consort
brought more Douglas connections, as did the marriage of Prince
William and Catherine Middleton.
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Further royal connections can be discovered
here... >>
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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). >>
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Concerns are being expressed about the
future of the Mausoleum in Castle Douglas
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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.>>
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 Funds
raised enabled a community acquisition of this old
Douglas estate saving it from commercial development - but the
community still needs our help! Thanks to all who contributed.
The Douglas Support Estate |
 This
grave marker for Caroline Lucy Johnstone-Douglas is in the
Dryfebridge cemetery,
which is fast being overgrown by nature, and is in need of tender
loving care. |
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Not all Douglases have
been goody goodies - read about horse thieves, and others.
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Other stories of interest can be found in our
Articles section.
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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)
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I have still a lot of work to do on this
section, and all contributions will be welcomed.
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 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."
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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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