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HUNTER ROBERT esq of Hunter or Huntereston in the county of Ayr, a magistrate and deputy lieutenant for that shire born in 1799 inherited the estates and representation of this ancient family at the demise of his father in 1826. Mr Hunter is an advocate at the Scottish bar
This surname says Robertson is obviously derived from the chase. Before the use of fixed family names as at present, professional and personal distinctives appear very generally to have been adopted; hence the multiplicity of appellatives so originating. In reference however to names allusive to the pursuits of the field exercises, common to all in the more early periods of history something more special would seem implied, thus to confer par excellence, such distinctions in all probability the possession of an appropriate hereditary office
The famed superiority of the Normans in all venatic accomplishments would doubtless recommend many individuals of that people after their settlement in the neighbouring kingdom to the notice of the Scottish princes and barons. From all that can now be gathered of the history of times so remote there is reason for concluding this to have been the case
Such persons then coming amongst a rude people would naturally be distinguished from their country and pursuits. In the castles and domains of the great barons who were lords of entire bailiwicks, appropriated frequently for the accommodation of the sovereign various offices exclusively belonging to the sports of the field existed. Johne le Hunter de la Foreste de Paisley, and Hugh and Richard the hunters of Strag rife appear in the Rag Roll, as also does Aylmer de la Hunter of the county of Ayr supposed to have been an ancestor of the family.
Two ancient families of the name of "Hunter" existed in Scotland for many centuries "Hunter" of Polinood in Tweeddale now extinct and "Hunter" of Hunterston the present chief of the Hunters.
Of the Hunterston line Craufurd states that he had very carefully perused their writs and that from charters they appear to have had at least a part of the estate they still possess in Cunninghame, while the Morvilles were lords of that country as far back as the reign of "Alexander II". In the remarks on the Rag Roll it is stated that in an ancient bounding charter the lands of Arnele Hunter, adjoining to Hunterston are bounded with terris "Normani Venatoris" the presumed ancestor of the family before us.
The first in the pedigree of whom any certain record now remains "William Hunter" obtained a charter from Robert II. "Willmi.Hunt-totam ter'am de Arnele cumpt que fuit Andre Campbell militis...apud St Welyne sedo.die.Maij.anno.rgni.nri.Q'rto" (1375).
The lands here alluded to appear to have been part of the barony of Arnele from which they were subsequently distinguished as Arnele Hunter. They are now called Campbelton and are still possessed by Hunterston. The son or more probably the grandson of this William Hunter another "William Hunter" of Hunterston acquired by sasine dated 4th March 1452 the lands of Highlees in the parish of Dalry Ayrshire from Andrew Linn of that Ilk. He was by his son "Archibald Hunter" of Hunterston father by his wife Jane Craufurd of the family of Crosby of "John Hunter" of Hunterston who married Margaret, fourth daughter of John, second Lord Cathcart by Margaret daughter of Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig, and left a son and successor
"Robert Hunter" of Hunterston infeft on the 5th September 1517 in the island of Lamlash who married Margaret Craufurd also of the Crosby family and was sired by his son. "Robert Hunter" of Hunterston who obtained the Isle of Little Cumbrae in 31st May 1527, the lands of Annanhill on 22nd November 1531 and had also on the 6th December 1535 a charter from the crown of the five merk land of Campbellton.
He married Janet daughter of Montgomery of Giffen and relict of John Craufurd of Craufurd land and had with a daughter who married John Craufurd of Gifford land a son and successor. "Mungo or Quintegern Hunter" of Hunterston served heir to his father in 1540 who married a daughter of James Hamilton of Torrance and falling at Pinkie, 10th September 1647 left with other issue from whom descended it is presumed the present "William Francis Hunter Arundell" esq of Barjarg and Abbotshill a son and successor.
"Robert Hunter" of Hunterston one ol the Ayrshire gentlemen who subscribed the band in defence of the reformed religion 4th September 1562 and acquired the lands of South Kames on the Isle of Bute for which he had a charter from the crown dated 2nd November 1678. He wedded Margaret daughter of Thomas Cranfurd of Auchnames by Marion daughter of Montgomery of Hazleheadee and had two sons "Robert" his heir Francis Jean who married the Rev Robert Cunninghame minister of Barnweil brother to Hugh Cunninghame of Carlung and had two daughters "Jean Cunninghame" who married "Patrick Hunter". Catherine Cunninghame married to Robert Cunninghame of Auchinharvie.
"Hunterston" was sired by his son "Robert Hunter" of Hunterston retoured heir to his father on 23rd May 1593 in the lands of Campbellton, Annanhill and Highlees. This gentleman espoused a daughter of Provost Peeblis, of Irvine but having no issue he settled his estates on the husband of his niece, Jean Cunninghame. "Patrick Hunter" son of William Hunter of Banburry Yards and great grandson of Mungo Hunter of Hunterston as appears from a charter now in the possession of the family dated 27th September 1611. By his marriage with Jean Cunuinghame Hunterston had with two daughters the elder m to Alexander Cunninghame of Carlung and the younger Jean to David Kennedy of Balmaclanachan and Craig three sons namely:-
I "Robert" his heir
II "Henry" minister of Dromore who died without issue
III "Francis" supposed to have been ancestor of the "Hunters" of Long Calderwood Of this family was the celebrated physician Dr William Hunter of London born at Easter Kilbride in Lanarkshire in 1718 whose grandfather is stated to have been a younger son of Hunterston. For its magnificent museum the university of Glasgow is indebted to the liberal donation of this gentleman whose early education was acquired in that college Dr Hunter died in London 30th March 1783 His brother "John Hunter" one of the most eminent surgeons of the age was born in 1728 and died also in London where he had long practised with unrivalled reputation 16th October 1793.
Patrick Hunter whose name appears among those of other gentlemen in the committee of war for Ayrshire during the troubled times of 1647 was fined £600 in 1662 by one of Middletou's arbitrary acts. He was s at his decease by his eldest son "Robert Hunter" of Hunterston served heir of conquest to his younger brother the Rev Henry Hunter in 1674. He married Elizabeth dau of William Craufurd of Auchnames by Anna his wife dau of Sir Coll Lamont of Ineryne and had four sons.
l PATRICK his heir
II Robert who acquired by purchase in 1686 the lands of Kirkland in the vicinity of Kilbride Ayrshire. He married in 1675 Margaret, daughter of John Hamilton of Grange in Ayrshire and left a son and successor "Robert Hunter" of Kirkland who purchased a part of the lands of Drumelling adjacent to his own. He wedded Margaret daughter of Baillie Munro of Irvine and left with two daughters. Margaret wife of William Cunning hame of Monktonhill and Elizabeth of John Boyd of Car lung a son and heir.
GEORGE HUNTER esq of Kirkland who married first his cousin Dorothea dau of John Boyd of Carlung and had with several other children who died young, a son "Robert" his heir. He wedded secondly Mary daughter of Cunninghame, of Monkton Hill and had a daughter Dorothea. His son "Robert Hunter" esq of Kirkland espoused in 1791, Jane Boyd Cunninghame eldest daughter of John Boyd of Carlung and by her who died 24th March 1825 had issue.
"George", Robert, Jane, Marion married 1st February 1825 to John Woodrop esq of Dalmarnoch
III Hugh a physician at Kilmarnock
IV James who was bred to the bar He married Margaret Spalding and was father of "General Robert Hunter" who died governor of Jamaica in 1734. He married Elizabeth daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Orby of Burton Pedwardine in the county of Lincoln bart and relict of Lord John Hay second son of John second Marquis of Tweed dale. By this lady General Hunter was ancestor of the OR-BY-HUNTERS of Croyland Abbey in the county of Lincoln.
Robert Hunter was by his eldest son "Patrick Hunter" of Hunterston whose retour is dated 19th January 1680. He married Alarion daughter of John Cunninghame of Langmuir by whom he acquired that estate and had issue.
I PATRICK his heir
II Henry minister of the Mearns who m Margaret Stewart and had a son Patrick and a daughter Marion the wife of John Lyle merchant in Glasgow
III Dorothea married to Henry Cunninghame of Carlung and bad issue
IV Marion married to John Peeblis of Crau field but d.s.p
The laird died in 1698 and was survived by his elder son "Patrick Hunter" esq of Hunterston who married Marion eldest daughter of Thomas Craufurd of Cartsburn and had five sons and four daughters
l Patrick who predeceased his father
II Robert, his heir
III David who married Miss Milliken of Port Glasgow and was father of Patrick Hunter esq merchant in London, who wedded Miss Rebecca Fleming and had five sons and five daughters.
IV Henry
V Thomas
I Rebecca died unmarried
II Elizabeth married to John Hyndman of Lundereton
III Marion married to Hugh Muir
IV Dorothea married first 19th December 1741 to William Kelso esq of Hullerhirst grandfather of Alexander Hamilton esq of Hullerhirst in Ayrshire and of the Retreat in Devon and secondly to Hugh Weir of Kirkwall
V Margaret married to Mr Caldwell merchant in Greenock Hunterston died in 1733 and was survived by his son "Robert Hunter" esq of Hunterston who wedded Miss Aitchison of Glasgow and dying in 1796 left with a younger daughter Marion who died unmarried "Elenora Hunter" of Hunterston who married her cousin Robert Caldwell esq who became by assumption "Hunter" of Hunterston and by him who died 22nd August 1826 had issue.
I ROBERT heir
II Patrick deceased
III Norman
I Eleanora
II Marion Craufurd died unmarried
III Margaret
IV Janet eldest son "Robert Hunter" esq is the present laird of Hunterston
Estates:- Hunter or Hunterston in Ayrshire possessed from time immemorial Campbelton acquired in 1375
This surname says Robertson is obviously derived from the chase. Before the use of fixed family names as at present, professional and personal distinctives appear very generally to have been adopted; hence the multiplicity of appellatives so originating. In reference however to names allusive to the pursuits of the field exercises, common to all in the more early periods of history something more special would seem implied, thus to confer par excellence, such distinctions in all probability the possession of an appropriate hereditary office
The famed superiority of the Normans in all venatic accomplishments would doubtless recommend many individuals of that people after their settlement in the neighbouring kingdom to the notice of the Scottish princes and barons. From all that can now be gathered of the history of times so remote there is reason for concluding this to have been the case
Such persons then coming amongst a rude people would naturally be distinguished from their country and pursuits. In the castles and domains of the great barons who were lords of entire bailiwicks, appropriated frequently for the accommodation of the sovereign various offices exclusively belonging to the sports of the field existed. Johne le Hunter de la Foreste de Paisley, and Hugh and Richard the hunters of Strag rife appear in the Rag Roll, as also does Aylmer de la Hunter of the county of Ayr supposed to have been an ancestor of the family.
Two ancient families of the name of "Hunter" existed in Scotland for many centuries "Hunter" of Polinood in Tweeddale now extinct and "Hunter" of Hunterston the present chief of the Hunters.
Of the Hunterston line Craufurd states that he had very carefully perused their writs and that from charters they appear to have had at least a part of the estate they still possess in Cunninghame, while the Morvilles were lords of that country as far back as the reign of "Alexander II". In the remarks on the Rag Roll it is stated that in an ancient bounding charter the lands of Arnele Hunter, adjoining to Hunterston are bounded with terris "Normani Venatoris" the presumed ancestor of the family before us.
The first in the pedigree of whom any certain record now remains "William Hunter" obtained a charter from Robert II. "Willmi.Hunt-totam ter'am de Arnele cumpt que fuit Andre Campbell militis...apud St Welyne sedo.die.Maij.anno.rgni.nri.Q'rto" (1375).
The lands here alluded to appear to have been part of the barony of Arnele from which they were subsequently distinguished as Arnele Hunter. They are now called Campbelton and are still possessed by Hunterston. The son or more probably the grandson of this William Hunter another "William Hunter" of Hunterston acquired by sasine dated 4th March 1452 the lands of Highlees in the parish of Dalry Ayrshire from Andrew Linn of that Ilk. He was by his son "Archibald Hunter" of Hunterston father by his wife Jane Craufurd of the family of Crosby of "John Hunter" of Hunterston who married Margaret, fourth daughter of John, second Lord Cathcart by Margaret daughter of Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig, and left a son and successor
"Robert Hunter" of Hunterston infeft on the 5th September 1517 in the island of Lamlash who married Margaret Craufurd also of the Crosby family and was sired by his son. "Robert Hunter" of Hunterston who obtained the Isle of Little Cumbrae in 31st May 1527, the lands of Annanhill on 22nd November 1531 and had also on the 6th December 1535 a charter from the crown of the five merk land of Campbellton.
He married Janet daughter of Montgomery of Giffen and relict of John Craufurd of Craufurd land and had with a daughter who married John Craufurd of Gifford land a son and successor. "Mungo or Quintegern Hunter" of Hunterston served heir to his father in 1540 who married a daughter of James Hamilton of Torrance and falling at Pinkie, 10th September 1647 left with other issue from whom descended it is presumed the present "William Francis Hunter Arundell" esq of Barjarg and Abbotshill a son and successor.
"Robert Hunter" of Hunterston one ol the Ayrshire gentlemen who subscribed the band in defence of the reformed religion 4th September 1562 and acquired the lands of South Kames on the Isle of Bute for which he had a charter from the crown dated 2nd November 1678. He wedded Margaret daughter of Thomas Cranfurd of Auchnames by Marion daughter of Montgomery of Hazleheadee and had two sons "Robert" his heir Francis Jean who married the Rev Robert Cunninghame minister of Barnweil brother to Hugh Cunninghame of Carlung and had two daughters "Jean Cunninghame" who married "Patrick Hunter". Catherine Cunninghame married to Robert Cunninghame of Auchinharvie.
"Hunterston" was sired by his son "Robert Hunter" of Hunterston retoured heir to his father on 23rd May 1593 in the lands of Campbellton, Annanhill and Highlees. This gentleman espoused a daughter of Provost Peeblis, of Irvine but having no issue he settled his estates on the husband of his niece, Jean Cunninghame. "Patrick Hunter" son of William Hunter of Banburry Yards and great grandson of Mungo Hunter of Hunterston as appears from a charter now in the possession of the family dated 27th September 1611. By his marriage with Jean Cunuinghame Hunterston had with two daughters the elder m to Alexander Cunninghame of Carlung and the younger Jean to David Kennedy of Balmaclanachan and Craig three sons namely:-
I "Robert" his heir
II "Henry" minister of Dromore who died without issue
III "Francis" supposed to have been ancestor of the "Hunters" of Long Calderwood Of this family was the celebrated physician Dr William Hunter of London born at Easter Kilbride in Lanarkshire in 1718 whose grandfather is stated to have been a younger son of Hunterston. For its magnificent museum the university of Glasgow is indebted to the liberal donation of this gentleman whose early education was acquired in that college Dr Hunter died in London 30th March 1783 His brother "John Hunter" one of the most eminent surgeons of the age was born in 1728 and died also in London where he had long practised with unrivalled reputation 16th October 1793.
Patrick Hunter whose name appears among those of other gentlemen in the committee of war for Ayrshire during the troubled times of 1647 was fined £600 in 1662 by one of Middletou's arbitrary acts. He was s at his decease by his eldest son "Robert Hunter" of Hunterston served heir of conquest to his younger brother the Rev Henry Hunter in 1674. He married Elizabeth dau of William Craufurd of Auchnames by Anna his wife dau of Sir Coll Lamont of Ineryne and had four sons.
l PATRICK his heir
II Robert who acquired by purchase in 1686 the lands of Kirkland in the vicinity of Kilbride Ayrshire. He married in 1675 Margaret, daughter of John Hamilton of Grange in Ayrshire and left a son and successor "Robert Hunter" of Kirkland who purchased a part of the lands of Drumelling adjacent to his own. He wedded Margaret daughter of Baillie Munro of Irvine and left with two daughters. Margaret wife of William Cunning hame of Monktonhill and Elizabeth of John Boyd of Car lung a son and heir.
GEORGE HUNTER esq of Kirkland who married first his cousin Dorothea dau of John Boyd of Carlung and had with several other children who died young, a son "Robert" his heir. He wedded secondly Mary daughter of Cunninghame, of Monkton Hill and had a daughter Dorothea. His son "Robert Hunter" esq of Kirkland espoused in 1791, Jane Boyd Cunninghame eldest daughter of John Boyd of Carlung and by her who died 24th March 1825 had issue.
"George", Robert, Jane, Marion married 1st February 1825 to John Woodrop esq of Dalmarnoch
III Hugh a physician at Kilmarnock
IV James who was bred to the bar He married Margaret Spalding and was father of "General Robert Hunter" who died governor of Jamaica in 1734. He married Elizabeth daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Orby of Burton Pedwardine in the county of Lincoln bart and relict of Lord John Hay second son of John second Marquis of Tweed dale. By this lady General Hunter was ancestor of the OR-BY-HUNTERS of Croyland Abbey in the county of Lincoln.
Robert Hunter was by his eldest son "Patrick Hunter" of Hunterston whose retour is dated 19th January 1680. He married Alarion daughter of John Cunninghame of Langmuir by whom he acquired that estate and had issue.
I PATRICK his heir
II Henry minister of the Mearns who m Margaret Stewart and had a son Patrick and a daughter Marion the wife of John Lyle merchant in Glasgow
III Dorothea married to Henry Cunninghame of Carlung and bad issue
IV Marion married to John Peeblis of Crau field but d.s.p
The laird died in 1698 and was survived by his elder son "Patrick Hunter" esq of Hunterston who married Marion eldest daughter of Thomas Craufurd of Cartsburn and had five sons and four daughters
l Patrick who predeceased his father
II Robert, his heir
III David who married Miss Milliken of Port Glasgow and was father of Patrick Hunter esq merchant in London, who wedded Miss Rebecca Fleming and had five sons and five daughters.
IV Henry
V Thomas
I Rebecca died unmarried
II Elizabeth married to John Hyndman of Lundereton
III Marion married to Hugh Muir
IV Dorothea married first 19th December 1741 to William Kelso esq of Hullerhirst grandfather of Alexander Hamilton esq of Hullerhirst in Ayrshire and of the Retreat in Devon and secondly to Hugh Weir of Kirkwall
V Margaret married to Mr Caldwell merchant in Greenock Hunterston died in 1733 and was survived by his son "Robert Hunter" esq of Hunterston who wedded Miss Aitchison of Glasgow and dying in 1796 left with a younger daughter Marion who died unmarried "Elenora Hunter" of Hunterston who married her cousin Robert Caldwell esq who became by assumption "Hunter" of Hunterston and by him who died 22nd August 1826 had issue.
I ROBERT heir
II Patrick deceased
III Norman
I Eleanora
II Marion Craufurd died unmarried
III Margaret
IV Janet eldest son "Robert Hunter" esq is the present laird of Hunterston
Estates:- Hunter or Hunterston in Ayrshire possessed from time immemorial Campbelton acquired in 1375
HUNTER Clan of Ayrshire
