Earl of Cromartie
Encyclopedia
Earl of Cromartie is a title that has been created twice, both times for members of the Mackenzie family. This branch of the family descends from Sir Roderick Mackenzie, whose elder brother Kenneth Mackenzie was created Lord Mackenzie of Kintail in 1609 and was the father of Colin Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth (see the Earl of Seaforth
for further history of this branch of the family). Sir Roderick's son, John Mackenzie, was in 1628 created a Baronet, of Tarbat in the County of Ross, in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia, with remainder to his heirs male whatsoever. He was succeeded by his son, Sir George Mackenzie, 2nd Baronet
. He was a prominent statesman and judge and served as Lord Justice General from 1678 to 1680 and from 1704 to 1710 and as Secretary of State
from 1702 to 1704. In 1685, he was raised to the Peerage of Scotland as Lord MacLeod and Castlehaven and Viscount of Tarbat. In 1703 he was further honoured when he was made Lord MacLeod and Castlehaven, Viscount of Tarbat and Earl of Cromartie. In 1704, Lord Cromartie resigned his baronetcy in favour of his second son the Hon. Kenneth Mackenzie (died 1728), who was created a Baronet, of Cromarty and Grandvale (see Mackenzie Baronets
).
He was succeeded in the peerages by his eldest son, the second Earl. On his death, the titles passed to his eldest surviving son, the third Earl. He supported the Jacobite rebellion
of 1745 and led a force of 400 men from Clan Mackenzie at the Battle of Falkirk
in 1746. Lord Cromartie was captured by government forces the same year and pleaded guilty to high treason
before the House of Lords
. He was sentenced to death but received a conditional pardon in 1749. However, his titles were forfeited. His eldest son and heir apparent, John Mackenzie, Lord MacLeod
, fought alongside his father in the rebellion of 1745. He was also convicted of high treason and sentenced to death, but received a full pardon in 1748. He later had a successful career in both the British and Swedish armies. He achieved the rank of Major-General in the British Army, and was created a Count
in the Swedish nobility, a title which was recognized by George II. In 1784, his family estates were restored to him by Act of Parliament for a payment of £19,000. Lord MacLeod died childless in 1789.
Lady Isabella Mackenzie, daughter of the attainted third Earl, married George Murray, 6th Lord Elibank. Their daughter, the Hon. Maria Murray married Edward Hay (a member of a junior branch of the family headed by the Marquess of Tweeddale
). Their son, John Hay-Mackenzie, assumed the additional surname of Mackenzie. His only child Anne Hay-Mackenzie
married George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 3rd Duke of Sutherland
. In 1861, the titles held by Anne's ancestors were revived when she was raised to the Peerage of the United Kingdom
in her own right as Baroness MacLeod, of Castle Leod
in the County of Cromartie, Baroness Castlehaven, of Castlehaven in the County of Cromartie, Viscountess Tarbat, of Tarbat in the County of Cromartie, and Countess of Cromartie. The peerages were created with remainder to 1) her second surviving son Lord Francis Leveson-Gower, and the heirs male of his body; 2) to each other of her youngers sons and the heirs male of their bodies (however, she had no further sons); 3) to the said Lord Francis Leveson-Gower and the heirs of his body (meaning that the titles could descend through female lines); 4) to each other of her youngers son in priority of birth and the heirs of their bodies; 5) to her daughter Lady Florence and the heirs of her body; and 6) to each other of her daughters in priority of birth and the heirs of their bodies.
Lady Cromartie was succeeded according to the special remainder by her second surviving son Lord Francis, the second Earl. He was a Major in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders
and served as a Vice-Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenant
of Ross and Cromarty
. Lord Cromartie had no sons and on his death in 1893 the titles fell into abeyance
between his two surviving daughters, Lady Sibell Lilian and Lady Constance. The abeyance was terminated in 1895 in favour of the elder daughter, Sibell Lilian, who became the third Countess. In 1899, she married Edward Walter Blunt (1869–1949), son of Major-General Charles Harris Blunt, great-grandson of Sir Henry Blunt, 2nd Baronet (see Blunt Baronets
). He assumed the additional surname of Mackenzie in 1905. However, Lady Cromartie later discontinued the use of the surname Blunt. She was succeeded by her eldest son, the fourth Earl. He was also a Major in the Seaforth Highlanders and fought in the Second World War. From 1940 to 1945, he was a Prisoner of War. Lord Cromartie was also a member of the Ross and Cromarty County Council. In 1979, he discontinued the use of the surname Blunt for himself and his son and was recognized by the Lord Lyon as Cabarfeidh (Chief) of Clan Mackenzie
. , the titles are held by his only son, the fifth Earl, who succeeded in 1989. As a male-line descendant of Sir Henry Blunt, 2nd Baronet, he is also in remainder to this title. He is also in remainder to the earldom of Sutherland
, which can descend through female lines, but not to the dukedom of Sutherland
and the subsidiary titles presently attached to it, as these can only descend through male lines.
The family seat is Castle Leod
, near Dingwall
in Ross-shire
.
The heir apparent
is the present holder's son Colin Ruaridh Mackenzie, Viscount of Tarbat (b. 1987)
Earl of Seaforth
Earl of Seaforth was a title in the Peerage of Scotland and Peerage of Great Britain. It was held by the family of Mackenzie from 1623 to 1716, and again from 1771 to 1781....
for further history of this branch of the family). Sir Roderick's son, John Mackenzie, was in 1628 created a Baronet, of Tarbat in the County of Ross, in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia, with remainder to his heirs male whatsoever. He was succeeded by his son, Sir George Mackenzie, 2nd Baronet
George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie
George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie FRS , known as Sir George Mackenzie, 2nd Baronet from 1654 to 1685 and as The Viscount of Tarbat from 1685 to 1703, was a Scottish statesman....
. He was a prominent statesman and judge and served as Lord Justice General from 1678 to 1680 and from 1704 to 1710 and as Secretary of State
Secretary of State, Scotland
The Secretary of Scotland was a senior post in the pre-Union government of Scotland.The office appeared in the 14th century when it was combined with that of Keeper of the Privy Seal. Called Clericus Regis , he was regarded as an Officer of State...
from 1702 to 1704. In 1685, he was raised to the Peerage of Scotland as Lord MacLeod and Castlehaven and Viscount of Tarbat. In 1703 he was further honoured when he was made Lord MacLeod and Castlehaven, Viscount of Tarbat and Earl of Cromartie. In 1704, Lord Cromartie resigned his baronetcy in favour of his second son the Hon. Kenneth Mackenzie (died 1728), who was created a Baronet, of Cromarty and Grandvale (see Mackenzie Baronets
Mackenzie Baronets
There have been ten Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Mackenzie, seven in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia and three in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
).
He was succeeded in the peerages by his eldest son, the second Earl. On his death, the titles passed to his eldest surviving son, the third Earl. He supported the Jacobite rebellion
Jacobite rising
The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in Great Britain and Ireland occurring between 1688 and 1746. The uprisings were aimed at returning James VII of Scotland and II of England, and later his descendants of the House of Stuart, to the throne after he was deposed by...
of 1745 and led a force of 400 men from Clan Mackenzie at the Battle of Falkirk
Battle of Falkirk (1746)
During the Second Jacobite Rising, the Battle of Falkirk Muir was the last noteworthy Jacobite success.-Background:...
in 1746. Lord Cromartie was captured by government forces the same year and pleaded guilty to high treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
before the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
. He was sentenced to death but received a conditional pardon in 1749. However, his titles were forfeited. His eldest son and heir apparent, John Mackenzie, Lord MacLeod
John Mackenzie, Lord MacLeod
John Mackenzie, Lord MacLeod born Castle Leod near Strathpeffer, Scotland eldest son of George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie and Isabel Gordon. He was an initiated Freemason due to his father being the Grand Master, Grand Lodge of Scotland 1737-38. He married Hon...
, fought alongside his father in the rebellion of 1745. He was also convicted of high treason and sentenced to death, but received a full pardon in 1748. He later had a successful career in both the British and Swedish armies. He achieved the rank of Major-General in the British Army, and was created a Count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
in the Swedish nobility, a title which was recognized by George II. In 1784, his family estates were restored to him by Act of Parliament for a payment of £19,000. Lord MacLeod died childless in 1789.
Marquess of Tweeddale
Marquess of Tweeddale is a title of the Peerage of Scotland, created in 1694 for the 2nd Earl of Tweeddale. Lord Tweeddale holds the subsidiary titles of Earl of Tweeddale , Earl of Gifford , Viscount of Walden , Lord Hay of Yester , and Baron Tweeddale, of Yester in the County of Haddington...
). Their son, John Hay-Mackenzie, assumed the additional surname of Mackenzie. His only child Anne Hay-Mackenzie
Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland
Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland , 1st Countess of Cromartie in her own right and known as the Marchioness of Stafford from 1849 to 1861, was a British peeress....
married George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 3rd Duke of Sutherland
George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 3rd Duke of Sutherland
George Granville William Sutherland Leveson-Gower, 3rd Duke of Sutherland , styled Viscount Trentham until 1833, Earl Gower in 1833 and Marquess of Stafford between 1833 and 1861, was a British politician.-Background:Sutherland was the son of George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland...
. In 1861, the titles held by Anne's ancestors were revived when she was raised to the Peerage of the United Kingdom
Peerage of the United Kingdom
The Peerage of the United Kingdom comprises most peerages created in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland after the Act of Union in 1801, when it replaced the Peerage of Great Britain...
in her own right as Baroness MacLeod, of Castle Leod
Castle Leod
Castle Leod is located near Strathpeffer in the east of Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands. It is currently the seat of the Chief of the Clan MacKenzie, although the lands belonged to the Chief of the Clan MacLeod of Lewis until the 17th century...
in the County of Cromartie, Baroness Castlehaven, of Castlehaven in the County of Cromartie, Viscountess Tarbat, of Tarbat in the County of Cromartie, and Countess of Cromartie. The peerages were created with remainder to 1) her second surviving son Lord Francis Leveson-Gower, and the heirs male of his body; 2) to each other of her youngers sons and the heirs male of their bodies (however, she had no further sons); 3) to the said Lord Francis Leveson-Gower and the heirs of his body (meaning that the titles could descend through female lines); 4) to each other of her youngers son in priority of birth and the heirs of their bodies; 5) to her daughter Lady Florence and the heirs of her body; and 6) to each other of her daughters in priority of birth and the heirs of their bodies.
Lady Cromartie was succeeded according to the special remainder by her second surviving son Lord Francis, the second Earl. He was a Major in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders
Seaforth Highlanders
The Seaforth Highlanders was a historic regiment of the British Army associated with large areas of the northern Highlands of Scotland. The Seaforth Highlanders have varied in size from two battalions to seventeen battalions during the Great War...
and served as a Vice-Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenant
Deputy Lieutenant
In 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....
of Ross and Cromarty
Ross and Cromarty
Ross and Cromarty is a variously defined area in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. There is a registration county and a lieutenancy area in current use...
. Lord Cromartie had no sons and on his death in 1893 the titles fell into abeyance
Abeyance
Abeyance is a state of expectancy in respect of property, titles or office, when the right to them is not vested in any one person, but awaits the appearance or determination of the true owner. In law, the term abeyance can only be applied to such future estates as have not yet vested or possibly...
between his two surviving daughters, Lady Sibell Lilian and Lady Constance. The abeyance was terminated in 1895 in favour of the elder daughter, Sibell Lilian, who became the third Countess. In 1899, she married Edward Walter Blunt (1869–1949), son of Major-General Charles Harris Blunt, great-grandson of Sir Henry Blunt, 2nd Baronet (see Blunt Baronets
Blunt Baronets
The Blunt Baronetcy, of London, is a title in the Baronetage of Great Britain. It was created on 17 June 1720 for John Blunt. He was a director of the South Sea Company. His great-grandson, the fourth Baronet, represented Lewes in the House of Commons from 1831 to 1840. His line of the family...
). He assumed the additional surname of Mackenzie in 1905. However, Lady Cromartie later discontinued the use of the surname Blunt. She was succeeded by her eldest son, the fourth Earl. He was also a Major in the Seaforth Highlanders and fought in the Second World War. From 1940 to 1945, he was a Prisoner of War. Lord Cromartie was also a member of the Ross and Cromarty County Council. In 1979, he discontinued the use of the surname Blunt for himself and his son and was recognized by the Lord Lyon as Cabarfeidh (Chief) of Clan Mackenzie
Clan MacKenzie
Clan Mackenzie is a Highland Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire.-Origins:The Mackenzies, a powerful clan of Celtic stock, were not among the clans that originated from Norman ancestry. Descendants of the long defunct royal Cenél Loairn of Dál Riata, they...
. , the titles are held by his only son, the fifth Earl, who succeeded in 1989. As a male-line descendant of Sir Henry Blunt, 2nd Baronet, he is also in remainder to this title. He is also in remainder to the earldom of Sutherland
Earl of Sutherland
Earl of Sutherland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created circa 1230 for William de Moravia. The Earl of Sutherland is also the Chief of Clan Sutherland...
, which can descend through female lines, but not to the dukedom of Sutherland
Duke of Sutherland
Duke of Sutherland, derived from Sutherland in Scotland, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom held by the head of the Leveson-Gower family. It was created by William IV in 1833 for George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Marquess of Stafford...
and the subsidiary titles presently attached to it, as these can only descend through male lines.
The family seat is Castle Leod
Castle Leod
Castle Leod is located near Strathpeffer in the east of Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands. It is currently the seat of the Chief of the Clan MacKenzie, although the lands belonged to the Chief of the Clan MacLeod of Lewis until the 17th century...
, near Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
in Ross-shire
Ross-shire
Ross-shire is an area in the Highland Council Area in Scotland. The name is now used as a geographic or cultural term, equivalent to Ross. Until 1889 the term denoted a county of Scotland, also known as the County of Ross...
.
Mackenzie Baronets, of Tarbat (1628)
- Sir John Mackenzie, 1st Baronet (d. 1654)
- Sir George Mackenzie, 2nd BaronetGeorge Mackenzie, 1st Earl of CromartieGeorge Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie FRS , known as Sir George Mackenzie, 2nd Baronet from 1654 to 1685 and as The Viscount of Tarbat from 1685 to 1703, was a Scottish statesman....
(1630–1714) (created Earl of Cromartie in 1703)
Earls of Cromartie (1703)
- George Mackenzie, 1st Earl of CromartieGeorge Mackenzie, 1st Earl of CromartieGeorge Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Cromartie FRS , known as Sir George Mackenzie, 2nd Baronet from 1654 to 1685 and as The Viscount of Tarbat from 1685 to 1703, was a Scottish statesman....
(1630–1714) - John Mackenzie, 2nd Earl of Cromartie (c.1656–1731)
- George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of CromartieGeorge Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of CromartieGeorge Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie succeeded his father John, the 2nd earl, in February 1731. In 1745, he joined Charles Edward Stuart and he served with the Jacobites until April 1746 when he was taken prisoner in Sutherland after the Battle of Littleferry...
(c.1703–1766) (forfeit in 1746)
Earls of Cromartie (1861)
- Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland, 1st Countess of CromartieAnne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of SutherlandAnne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland , 1st Countess of Cromartie in her own right and known as the Marchioness of Stafford from 1849 to 1861, was a British peeress....
(1828–1892) - Francis Mackenzie, 2nd Earl of Cromartie (1852–1893) (abeyantAbeyanceAbeyance is a state of expectancy in respect of property, titles or office, when the right to them is not vested in any one person, but awaits the appearance or determination of the true owner. In law, the term abeyance can only be applied to such future estates as have not yet vested or possibly...
1893) - Sibell Lilian Blunt-Mackenzie, 3rd Countess of Cromartie (1878–1962) (abeyance terminated 1895)
- Roderick Grant Francis Blunt-Mackenzie, 4th Earl of Cromartie (1904–1989)
- John Ruaridh Grant Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Cromartie (b. 1948)
The heir apparent
Heir apparent
An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession....
is the present holder's son Colin Ruaridh Mackenzie, Viscount of Tarbat (b. 1987)
See also
- Clan MackenzieClan MacKenzieClan Mackenzie is a Highland Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire.-Origins:The Mackenzies, a powerful clan of Celtic stock, were not among the clans that originated from Norman ancestry. Descendants of the long defunct royal Cenél Loairn of Dál Riata, they...
- Earl of SeaforthEarl of SeaforthEarl of Seaforth was a title in the Peerage of Scotland and Peerage of Great Britain. It was held by the family of Mackenzie from 1623 to 1716, and again from 1771 to 1781....
- Duke of SutherlandDuke of SutherlandDuke of Sutherland, derived from Sutherland in Scotland, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom held by the head of the Leveson-Gower family. It was created by William IV in 1833 for George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Marquess of Stafford...
- Earl of SutherlandEarl of SutherlandEarl of Sutherland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created circa 1230 for William de Moravia. The Earl of Sutherland is also the Chief of Clan Sutherland...
- Mackenzie BaronetsMackenzie BaronetsThere have been ten Baronetcies created for persons with the surname Mackenzie, seven in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia and three in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom...
- Blunt BaronetsBlunt BaronetsThe Blunt Baronetcy, of London, is a title in the Baronetage of Great Britain. It was created on 17 June 1720 for John Blunt. He was a director of the South Sea Company. His great-grandson, the fourth Baronet, represented Lewes in the House of Commons from 1831 to 1840. His line of the family...