Gilmour Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

The famous genealogist Bernard Burke’s book “Peerage and Baronetage” discusses two branches of this family: Gilmour of Liberton and Gilmour of Lundin. The first begins with a discussion of Sir John Little Gilmour, 2^nd Baronet, of Liberton and Craigmillar in county Midlothian, who was a Lieutenant Colonel of the Gren. Guards. He was born in 1899 and succeeded his father in 1939. In 122, he married the Honorable Victoria Laura Cadogan and had children with her: Ian Hedworth John (1926) and Diana (1923). He later married Lady Mary Cecilia Rhodesia Kenyon-Slaney, the eldest daughter of 3^rd Duke of Abercorn, and had one son with her: Alexander Clement (1931). Burke traces the lineage of this branch back to Sir John Gilmour (the son of John Gilmour, who held lands in Lochmalonyt in Fife, and grandson of John Gilmour who in 1580 held lands near Aucthermuchty in county Perth). He was baptized in 1605 and acquired the Barony of Craigmillar in 1628. He was married four times. His third wife was Margaret, the eldest daughter of Sir Alexander Murray, Baronet of Blackbarony. He received Knighthood in 1650 and was elected a Member of Parliament for Edinburgh. He died, having twenty children. He was succeeded by his only surviving son: Sir Alexander Gilmour. Alexanser was baptized in 1657 and was created a Baronet in 1678. He was elected a Member of Parliament for Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1698. He married Honorable Grizel Ross, eldest daughter of George, the 11^th Lord Ross of Melville, and with her had two children, only two of which survived him when he died in 1731. One was Sir Charles Gilmour, of Craigmillar. Charles was a member of Parliament from 1737 until 1750 (when he died). Hr was also one of the Lords of Trade and Plantations. In 1733, he married Jean, daughter of Sir Robert Sinclair, and had one son who survived him: Sir Alexander Gilmour, Baronaet of Craigmillar, who was an Officer in the 1^st Guards. He fought in France and was taken prisoner there in 1758. He was elected to Parliament and served from 1751-1774. He died in 1792 and the Bronetcy and main line of the family became extinct. The succession then developed on to William Charles Little Gilmour, the 10^th Laird of Liberton, who was the great-grandson of the 1^st Alexander Gilmour and grandson of Sir Alexander’s daughter, Helen Gilmour. He assumed the surname Gilmour. In 1763, he married Jean, daughter of Robert Clerk, and had six sons and three daughters with her. He passed away in 1797, and was succeeded by his eldest son: Walter Little Gilmour. Walter was a Lieutenant in the 26^th Regiment. He was born in 1764 and in 1805 he married James Anne Macdowell, heiress of Canonmills and had issue with her, including his Walter James Little. Jane married Robert Gordon in 1828, and the only surviving son Anne. Anne married George Hermand Fergusson in 1841. Her only daughter and heir was Anne Gordon, heiress of Hallhead and Esslemont. In 1856, she married Henry Perkins Wolridge, son of Colonel John Wolride. Their eldest son was Sir Robert, created a Baronet.  Mr. Little Gilmour died in 1807 and was succeeded by his son: Walter James Little Gilmour. He died in 1887 and was succeeded by his grand-nephew: Sir Robert Gordon Gilmour, the 1^st Baronet. Robert served in the Zulu War in 1879 and also served in World War I. He held several notable positions and titles. He married Lady Susan Lygon in 1889 and had issue with her: John Little Gilmour (previously discussed), Mary, Margaret, and Grizel. He died in 1939 and was succeeded by his only son.