Somerville

Somerville

Clan Somerville of that Ilk, Scotland; descended from Sir Gaulter de Somerville of Somerville, near Caen, Normandy, France, who accompanied William the Conqueror in the Invasion of England in 1066. He settled in Whichnow, Staffordshire, and his first son Philip, instituted the gift of a side of bacon called the ‘Dunmow flitch’, which is still given today to husbands and wives who have lived together a year and a day without strife or disagreement. His second son William de Somerville, accompanied David I to Scotland and received lands near Carnwath in Clydesdale and was buried at Melrose Abbey in 1142. William de Somerville, Chief Falconer to the King and Sheriff of Roxburgh, who, according to tradition, killed the last serpent in Scotland, obtained the lands of Linton c.1174 from Malcolm IV. Another Sir William de Somerville fought at the Battle of Largs against Norsemen in 1263. His son Sir Thomas, submitted to Edward I of England in 1296, but followed Sir William Wallace in 1297, and his son Sir Walter fought under Wallace at the Battle of Biggar. His great grandson, Sir Thomas, Justiciar of Scotland, was created Lord Somerville c.1430. His grandson, John, 3rd Lord Somerville was wounded at the Battle of Sark against the English in 1448. His son, John, 4th Lord Somerville died without issue and was succeeded by his brother Hugh who was a supporter of the Reformation, intrigued with England and was later arrested at Solway Moss and ransomed for 1,000 marks in 1542. His son, who later succeeded him was against the Reformation and fought for Mary, Queen of Scots at the Battle of Langside, where he was severely wounded. His son, hugh, 7th Lord Somerville also supported the queen but later changed his alliance to her son James VI, and was rewarded with a seat on the Privy Council. James, 10th Lord Somerville served on the Continent during the Thirty Years War, and his grandson, James Somerville of Drum, died from woulds received in a duel with Thomas Learmonth in 1682. A descendant, Mary Somerville (died 1872) was renowned mathematician and Somerville College in Oxford, founded in 1879, is named after her.

Arms: Azure, three mullets two and one, between seven crosses crosslet fitchée three, one, two, and one or.

Crest: A dragon vert spouting fire proper, surmounted on a wheel argent.

Motto: Fear God in lyfe.

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