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Melville Clan

Melville Clan Crest: A ratch-hound's head erased Proper, collared Gules.

Melville Clan Motto: Denique Coelum (Heaven at last).

Melville Clan History: From the Barony of Malaville in Normandy, Galfridus de Melville lived in the reigns of David I, Malcolm IV and William the Lion, and was the first Justiciary of Scotland. He had three sons: Gregory, whose daughter and only child married Sir John Ross of Halkhead and inherited the lands of Melville, the barony of which remained with the Ross family until 1705; Philip, ancestor of the Melvilles of Glenbervie, and Walter, grandfather of Sir John de Melville,  who rendered homage to Edward I in 1296, and whose lineal descendants are the Melvilles of Raith and the barons Melville.

John Melville of Raith was appointed Captain of the Castle of Dunbar by James V, and acquired lands at Murdocairnie in Fife. A staunch supported of the Reformation in Scotland, he was falsely implicated in the murder of Cardinal Beaton and executed in 1550. His grandson Sir Robert Melville of Murdocairnie was Scottish Ambassador to England in 1562 and, in 1567, was made Keeper of the Palace of Linlithgow.  In 1589, he became Vice-Chancellor of Scotland, taking the judicial title Lord Murdocairnie. In 1616, he was created Baron Melville of Monimaill.

George, the 3rd Lord Melville's son, a staunch Protestant, opposed the Covenanters, but supported the Duke of Monmouth's Rebellion in 1685 and was forced to flee abroad.  He returned to Scotland with William of Orange in 1689 to become Secretary of State for Scotland, then Lord President of Council in 1696. He was created Earl of Melville, but deprived of his office in 1702.  In 1655, he had married the granddaughter of the 1st Earl of Leven, and in 1676, this title was inherited by his son David through the female line.

David, 3rd Earl of Leven, and 2nd Earl of Melville, was Commander-in-Chief of the Army in Scotland and a Commissioner for the Union of the Scottish and English parliaments. A distinguished military family, one son of the 5th Earl was killed in the American War of Independence, while two other sons achieved the rank of General. Alexander, 7th Earl of Melville, became an Admiral in the Royal Navy. The 11th Earl of Melville, and 12th Earl of Leven was a Colonel in the Lovat Scouts.

Andrew Melville (1545-1622), born in Angus, was Rector first of Glasgow University, then St Andrews University. He advocated a Presbyterian system of Church government which brought him into conflict with the church authorities and he was exiled abroad.  Sir James Melville of Halhill (1535-1617), son of Sir John Melville of Raith, joined Pro-Reform English Party, and was executed for treason in 1548.  He wrote Memoirs of His Own Time. Thomas Melville (1726-53) studied divinity at Glasgow University and wrote Observations of Light and Colours. Arthur Melville (1855-1904) was born in Angus and became a distinguished painter in watercolours and oils.

Places of Interest: Melville Castle, which stands at the heart of the ancient Barony of Melville, was entirely rebuilt in 1786. It was acquired by the Dundas family through marriage to Elizabeth Rannie, whose father had purchased the estate. Although having no direct kinship with the Melvilles, Henry Dundas (1742-1811),  the British Prime Minister William Pitt's Treasurer of the Navy, Home Secretary, President of the Board of Control for India,  and First Lord of the Admiralty,  took the title of Melville for his viscountcy. Balgonie Castle, Leven, Fife, had fallen into disrepair until it was extensively restored by its current owner.  It is today available for conferences and weddings. Glenferness House at Nairn is the home of the earls of Leven & Melville.

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