Clan Swinton

Clan Swinton is a Lowland Scottish clan.

History

Origins of the clan

The Swinton chiefs seem to be of Anglo-Saxon origin and descended from the prominent nobles of the kingdom of Northumbria. The kingdom of Northumberland straddled the modern day border between Scotland and England. According to tradition the name was acquired for their bravery in clearing the country of wild boar, with the family arms alluding to this legend. However, the name is more likely to have been of territorial origin: the village of Swinewood in the county of Berwickshire was granted by Edgar, King of Scotland, son of Malcolm III of Scotland to Coldingham Priory in 1098.

In around 1136/7, Ernulf de Swinton received one of the first private charters recorded in Scotland which confirmed his property from David I of Scotland. This is one of two original charters of David kept in the cartulary of Durham, both to Ernulf, wherein he is told to "hold his lands as freely as any of the king’s barons", and importantly is termed Miles in both, making him the first recorded instance of a Scottish Knight.