Baird Baronets
Encyclopedia
There have been five Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Baird, three in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia and two in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. Three of the creations are extant as of 2010. The Baird Baronets of Newbyth (created in 1660, 1680 and 1809) and of Sauchtonhall (created in 1695) are all descended from Andrew Baird who acquired lands at Auchmedden, Aberdeenshire
, in 1539. The main line, Baird of Auchmedden expired on the death in 1777 of Sir William Baird whose Auchmedden estate was forfeit and sold following his involvement in the Jacobite Rising of 1745
.
The Baird Baronetcy, of Newbyth in the County of Haddington, was created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia in 1660 for John Baird, son of James Baird, a younger son of the Baird family of Auchmedden. He was the son of Sir John Baird, a Lord of Session as Lord Newbyth, eldest son of James Baird. Charles I
intended to make James Baird a peer as Baron Devern, but he died before the patent had passed the Great Seal. The first Baronet bought an estate at Byth in Aberdeenshire and later moved to Haddington where he established a new settlement which he named Newbyth. Like his father he was a Scottish judge styled Lord Newbyth. He was succeeded by his son, the second Baronet. He had already been created a Baronet in his own right, of Newbyth in the County of Haddington, in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia, on 4 February 1680. His son, the second and third Baronet, sat as Member of Parliament
for Midlothian
. The title became extinct on his death in 1745. The Newbyth estate passed to his cousin William Baird of the Sauchtonhall branch of the family, father of Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet, of the 1809 creation (see below). See also the Baird Baronetcy of Sauchton Hall below.
The Baird Baronetcy, of Saughton Hall (or Saughtonhall or Sauchtonhall) in the County of Edinburgh, was created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia on 28 February 1695 for Robert Baird, son of James Baird of Auchmedden and brother of Sir John Baird, 1st Baronet, of Newbyth, of the 1660 creation. The title was created with remainder to the heirs male of his body. Baird was an Edinburgh
merchant. The fourth Baronet died from wounds received at the Battle of Fontenoy
in 1745. The fifth Baronet was a Captain
in the Royal Navy
. He married Frances, daughter of Colonel James Gardiner.
Philip Beard, son of Charles Baird, younger son of the second Baronet, assumed the surname of Beard. His descendant Edmund Charles Beard
was a Major-General in the British Army
.
The Baird Baronetcy, of Newbyth in the County of Haddington, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 13 April 1809 for the soldier David Baird
, grandson of William Baird, a younger son of Sir Robert Baird, 1st Baronet, of Sauchtonhall. His father William Baird had inherited the Newbyth estate in 1745 on the death of Sir John Baird, 3rd Baronet, of the 1660 and 1680 creations. The baronetcy was created with remainder to Baird's elder brother Robert Baird and the heirs male of his body. Baird died childless and was succeeded according to the special remainder by his nephew David Baird, the second Baronet. As a descendant of Sir Robert Baird, 1st Baronet, of Saughton Hall, the present Baronet of Newbyth is also in remainder to this title.
Patrick Baird (d. 1816), brother of the first Baronet, was a Major-General in the British Army
. Wynn Baird (1799–1835), younger brother of the second Baronet, was a Captain in the Royal Navy
. Sir John Baird, second son of the second Baronet, was an Admiral in the Royal Navy.
The Baird Baronetcy, of Urie, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 8 March 1897. For more information on this creation, see Viscount Stonehaven
.
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
, in 1539. The main line, Baird of Auchmedden expired on the death in 1777 of Sir William Baird whose Auchmedden estate was forfeit and sold following his involvement in the Jacobite Rising of 1745
Jacobite Rising of 1745
The Jacobite rising of 1745, often referred to as "The 'Forty-Five," was the attempt by Charles Edward Stuart to regain the British throne for the exiled House of Stuart. The rising occurred during the War of the Austrian Succession when most of the British Army was on the European continent...
.
The Baird Baronetcy, of Newbyth in the County of Haddington, was created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia in 1660 for John Baird, son of James Baird, a younger son of the Baird family of Auchmedden. He was the son of Sir John Baird, a Lord of Session as Lord Newbyth, eldest son of James Baird. Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
intended to make James Baird a peer as Baron Devern, but he died before the patent had passed the Great Seal. The first Baronet bought an estate at Byth in Aberdeenshire and later moved to Haddington where he established a new settlement which he named Newbyth. Like his father he was a Scottish judge styled Lord Newbyth. He was succeeded by his son, the second Baronet. He had already been created a Baronet in his own right, of Newbyth in the County of Haddington, in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia, on 4 February 1680. His son, the second and third Baronet, sat as Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Midlothian
Midlothian (UK Parliament constituency)
Midlothian in Scotland, is a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post voting system....
. The title became extinct on his death in 1745. The Newbyth estate passed to his cousin William Baird of the Sauchtonhall branch of the family, father of Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet, of the 1809 creation (see below). See also the Baird Baronetcy of Sauchton Hall below.
The Baird Baronetcy, of Saughton Hall (or Saughtonhall or Sauchtonhall) in the County of Edinburgh, was created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia on 28 February 1695 for Robert Baird, son of James Baird of Auchmedden and brother of Sir John Baird, 1st Baronet, of Newbyth, of the 1660 creation. The title was created with remainder to the heirs male of his body. Baird was an Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
merchant. The fourth Baronet died from wounds received at the Battle of Fontenoy
Battle of Fontenoy
The Battle of Fontenoy, 11 May 1745, was a major engagement of the War of the Austrian Succession, fought between the forces of the Pragmatic Allies – comprising mainly Dutch, British, and Hanoverian troops under the nominal command of the Duke of Cumberland – and a French army under Maurice de...
in 1745. The fifth Baronet was a Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. He married Frances, daughter of Colonel James Gardiner.
Philip Beard, son of Charles Baird, younger son of the second Baronet, assumed the surname of Beard. His descendant Edmund Charles Beard
Edmund Charles Beard
Edmund Charles Beard CB CBE MC was a British Major-General during the Second World War and in 1946 aide-de-camp to the king, George VI.-Early career:...
was a Major-General in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
.
The Baird Baronetcy, of Newbyth in the County of Haddington, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 13 April 1809 for the soldier David Baird
Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet
General Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet GCB was a British military leader.-Military career:He was born at Newbyth House in Haddingtonshire, Scotland, the son of an Edinburgh merchant family, and entered the British Army in 1772. He was sent to India in 1779 with the 73rd Highlanders, in which he...
, grandson of William Baird, a younger son of Sir Robert Baird, 1st Baronet, of Sauchtonhall. His father William Baird had inherited the Newbyth estate in 1745 on the death of Sir John Baird, 3rd Baronet, of the 1660 and 1680 creations. The baronetcy was created with remainder to Baird's elder brother Robert Baird and the heirs male of his body. Baird died childless and was succeeded according to the special remainder by his nephew David Baird, the second Baronet. As a descendant of Sir Robert Baird, 1st Baronet, of Saughton Hall, the present Baronet of Newbyth is also in remainder to this title.
Patrick Baird (d. 1816), brother of the first Baronet, was a Major-General in the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
. Wynn Baird (1799–1835), younger brother of the second Baronet, was a Captain in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. Sir John Baird, second son of the second Baronet, was an Admiral in the Royal Navy.
The Baird Baronetcy, of Urie, was created in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom on 8 March 1897. For more information on this creation, see Viscount Stonehaven
Viscount Stonehaven
Viscount Stonehaven, of Ury in the County of Kincardine, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1938 for the Conservative politician and former Governor General of Australia, John Baird, 1st Baron Stonehaven. He had already been created Baron Stonehaven, of Ury in the...
.
Baird Baronets, of Newbyth; First and second creations (1660/1680)
- Sir John Baird, 1st Baronet (1620–1698)
- Sir William Baird, 1st and 2nd Baronet (1654–1737)
- Sir John Baird, 2nd and 3rd Baronet (1686–1745)
Baird Baronets, of Saughton Hall (1695)
- Sir Robert Baird, 1st Baronet (d. 1697)
- Sir James Baird, 2nd BaronetSir James Baird, 2nd BaronetSir James Baird, 2nd Baronet of Saughtonhall, was born about 1658, the son of Sir Robert Baird, 1st Baronet of Saughtonhall, and Elizabeth Fleming. He became baronet in 1697 on the death of his father, in 1712 entailing the lands of Saughtonhall...
(d. 1715) - Sir Robert Baird, 3rd Baronet (c. 1690-1740)
- Sir David Baird, 4th Baronet (c. 1729-1745)
- Sir William Baird, 5th Baronet (d. 1771)
- Sir James Gardiner Baird, 6th Baronet (d. 1830)
- Sir James Gardiner Baird, 7th Baronet (1813–1896)
- Sir William James Gardiner Baird, 8th Baronet (1854–1921)
- Sir James Hozier Gardiner Baird, 9th Baronet (1883–1966)
- Sir James Richard Gardiner Baird, 10th Baronet (1913–1997)
- Sir (James) Andrew Gardiner Baird, 11th Baronet (b. 1946)
Baird Baronets, of Newbyth; Third creation (1809)
- Sir David Baird, 1st BaronetSir David Baird, 1st BaronetGeneral Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet GCB was a British military leader.-Military career:He was born at Newbyth House in Haddingtonshire, Scotland, the son of an Edinburgh merchant family, and entered the British Army in 1772. He was sent to India in 1779 with the 73rd Highlanders, in which he...
(1757–1829) - Sir David Baird, 2nd BaronetSir David Baird, 2nd BaronetSir David Baird of Newbyth, 2nd baronet , was a British Baronet and captain in the British army. He was born in 1795, the son of Robert Baird and Hersey Christina Maria Gavin. On August 10, 1821 he married Lady Anne Kennedy, daughter of Sir Archibald Kennedy, 1st Marquess of Ailsa and Margaret...
(1795–1852)
- Sir David Baird, 3rd Baronet DLDeputy LieutenantIn the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
(1832 – 12 October 1913). Born in Prestonkirk, Haddingtonshire, Baird succeeded his father in the baronetcy as the eldest surviving son in 1852. He served as an officer with the 74th Regiment of Foot74th Regiment of FootThree regiments of the British Army have been numbered the 74th Regiment of Foot:*74th Regiment of Foot , renumbered from the 117th in 1762 and disbanded in 1768*74th Regiment of Foot, raised in 1777 and disbanded in 1784...
in the Xhosa WarsXhosa warsThe Xhosa Wars, also known as the Cape Frontier Wars, were a series of nine wars between the Xhosa people and European settlers, from 1779 to 1879 in what is now the Eastern Cape in South Africa....
of 1851 and 1852; in the Crimean WarCrimean WarThe Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
, and was on Lord ClydeColin Campbell, 1st Baron ClydeField Marshal Colin Campbell, 1st Baron Clyde GCB, KSI was a British Army officer from Scotland who led the Highland Brigade in the Crimea and was in command of the ‘Thin red line’ at the battle of Balaclava...
's staff during the Indian Mutiny. He was subsequently a Captain in the 98th Regiment of Foot, and was promoted Major. He was a member of two famous London clubs: the Army and Navy ClubArmy and Navy ClubThe Army and Navy Club in London is a gentlemen's club founded in 1837, also known informally as The Rag.-Foundation and membership:...
, and White's Club. Baird was also was Deputy LieutenantDeputy LieutenantIn the United Kingdom, a Deputy Lieutenant is one of several deputies to the Lord Lieutenant of a lieutenancy area; an English ceremonial county, Welsh preserved county, Scottish lieutenancy area, or Northern Irish county borough or county....
for the counties of Haddingtonshire and MidlothianMidlothianMidlothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy area. It borders the Scottish Borders, East Lothian and the City of Edinburgh council areas....
. He married, Ellen, daughter and heiress of Charles Stuart, 12th Lord BlantyreCharles Stuart, 12th Lord BlantyreCharles Walter Stuart, 12th Lord Blantyre DL , styled Master of Blantyre from birth until 1830, was a Scottish politician and landowner with ....
, in 1864. At the turn of the century they inherited Lennoxlove near HaddingtonHaddington, East LothianThe Royal Burgh of Haddington is a town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is the main administrative, cultural and geographical centre for East Lothian, which was known officially as Haddingtonshire before 1921. It lies about east of Edinburgh. The name Haddington is Anglo-Saxon, dating from the 6th...
and settled Newbyth House upon his son and heir David Baird (1865).
- Sir David Baird, 4th Baronet (1865–1941)
- Sir David Charles Baird, 5th Baronet (1912–2000)
- Sir Charles William Baird, 6th Baronet (b. 1939)