Melville

Melville

Clan Melville of that Ilk, Scotland; descended from the barony of Maleville, in the Pays de Ceux, Normandy, France, from where Guillaume de Malleville was a companion of William, Duke of Normandy in the Invasion of England in 1066. His grandson settled in Scotland when David I granted him lands in Midlothian. Galfrid de Maleville was the first Justiciary of Scotland under William the Lion. His eldest son Gregory was created Baron Melville, and his daughter and heir Agnes married Sir John Ross of Halkhead. Galfrid‘s youngest son, Walter is the ancestor of the Melvilles of Raith. Sir John de Melville swore fealty to Edward I of England in 1296, and his descendant Sir John Melville of Raith, was a favorite of James V, by whom he was appointed Master General of the Ordnance and captain of the Castle of Dunbar, and was granted lands Murdocairnie, Fifeshire, 1536 and 1542; he was executed in 1550 on a false charge of conspiring to murder Cardinal Beaton. His eldest son, John Melville of Raith, was restored to the family estates by Mary of Guise, Queen Regent of Scotland in 1553. His second son Sir Robert Melville of Murdocainie was Ambassador to England, 1562 and 1587, and Keeper of the Palace of Linlithgow from 1567, and Vice-Chancellor of Scotland, 1589. He was created Lord Murdocairnie in 1601 and Baron Melville of Monymaill, April 1616. His son was created Lord Monymaill in 1627 by Charles I. He was succeeded by his cousin John in 1635, and his son George was created Earl of Melville in April 1690. He joined the Duke of Monmouth’s rebellion and was forced into exile in Holland, his estates forfeited by order of James II of England. He returned in 1688 with Willaim and Mary and was restored to his estates and appointed Secretary of State for Scotland and later President of the Council. With the death of his heir Alexander, his younger son David succeeded to the earldom in 1713 and also succeeded as Earl of Leven through his mother, inheriting Balgonie Castle in Fife. The Melvilles were renowned as military commanders in the British armed forces with three generals and an admiral.

Arms: Gules, three crescents within a bordure argent, charged with eight roses of the first.

Crest: A talbot’s head erased proper, collared gules.

Motto: Denique coelum ( Heaven at last.)

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