Cunningham

The Cunninghams hail from the district of Cunninghame in Ayrshire, as far back as the 12th Century, and to this day are spread all over Scotland.

Due to great valour in war wth the Battle of Largs in 1263, Hervey de Cunningham recieved from King Alexander III the lands of Kilmaurs, and this then became the principal family of the Cunningham clan. These lands were added to by the marriage of Sir William Cunningham to Mary, the daughter of Sir Robert Dennieston of Denniston, who gave many lands including the land of Glencairn to the Cunningham family.

The Cunninghams have been prominent in Scottish history with William Cunningham, 8th Earl of Glencairn achieving the title of Privy Councillor, Commissioner of the Treasury in 1641 and five years later the title of Lord Justice General. After the Restoration of Scotland he was appointed Lord Chancellor of Scotland.

James, 14th Earl was such a good friend of Robert Burns, that the great bard entitled one of his poems about him - 'Lament for the Earl of Glencairn'. The 15th Earl died without issue in 1796, leaving the line dead.