The
name Irvine appears to have originated in Dumfriesshire sometime between
1124 and 1165. Duncan, the eldest son of Crinan Eryvine, later became king
and it is around his murder that Shakespeare's play Macbeth based. As a
reward of 20 years of service to the Bruces, William de Irwin was granted
the royal forest of Drum in Aberdeenshire. This later became the location
of beautiful Drum castle, which became the chief seat of the family and
was occupied by them for some time. For twelve generations, starting with
the third Laird of Drum, there was a successive line of Irvines all bearing
the name Alexander. The fourth and sixth Laird were mostly known as peace
makers. The fourth was knighted for his role in securing the ransom of
James I from England. James V rewarded the sixth Laird of Drum in 1547
for his peace making efforts. The offer of royal peerage was made to the
eleventh Laird, but was turned down because the king wouldn't pay to repair
damage caused to Drum Castle while the family had supported the king. After
the fourteenth Laird (A Jacobite) was killed at the Battle of Sheriffmuir
in
1715, the estate passed eventually to John Irvine of Crimond. After this, the Irvines continued to fight for the Jacobite cause and because of this, the Laird spend seven years in exile in France after the defeat of Prince Charlie at Culloden. Other notable
Irvines include the twenty-second Laird, who fought with the Grenadier Guards in WWI, Colonel John Irving who in 1867 fought in the Abyssian Campaign, and his son Robert, who was the captain of the Queen Mary and commodore of the Cunard Line.
(1) William Irvine, 1st Laird Drum, born about 1298, had a crown grant of the lands and forest of Drum in 1323. Served as Clerk of the Rolls for Scotland from 1328-31. No evidence has ever been found (to present time 1993) which connects him to the family of Irvines on the Border, and evidence from other sources seems to indicate that he was from the Northeast, or Perthshire. He married Marjorie. Parents of:
(2) Alexander
Irvine, 2nd Laird of Drum. A newly-found charter establishes
that his name was Alexander, and not "Sir Thomas or William" as give in
previous genealogies. He also held the lands of Forglen. No
evidence has been found concerning his wife, but she was probably a daughter
of Fraser of Frendraught. He died about 1380. Father of:
(3) Alexander Irvine, died about 1410, father of:
- Alexander, mentioned below
- Robert
(4) Sir Alexander Irvine, born about 1386, died July 1457. In 1414 he was regranted the lands of Forglen which were his grandfathers. He was appointed Governor of burgh of Aberdeen 1439; in 1446 he was granted the lands of Learney. He was second 4th Laird of Drum and succeeded his brother of same name who died in battle. In late 1411 he married Elizabeth Keith, daughter of the Marischal of Scotland. Children:
- Alexander, mentioned below
- Robert of Beltie
- Elizabeth
(4)
Alexander Irvine of Auchindoir, born
about 1412/13, died between 1446 and 1452; married a daughter of Lawrence
Abernathy. Parents of:
(5) Alexander
Irvine, born 1440, died December 1493, 5th Laird of Drum Served
as Sheriff Deputy of Aberdeenshire until 1472 when he was politically removed
from office. He married in 1453 Elizabeth Marion
Forbes. Upon advice that his wife was guilty of fornication,
he attacked his Chaplain, but was granted a remission for the act. Then
resided with Nanny Menzeis by whom he had 4 illegitimate children.
Children:
i. Janet; married in 1478 David
Barclay
of Mathers