My wife's ancestors - Kerr - Contents

Kerr

Sometimes spelt Ker or Carr.

Pronounced "Car".

• References:
  • LOTHIAN in [Burkes Peerage]
  • ROXBURGHE in [Burkes Peerage]

• Sources yet to be consulted:
  • LOTHIAN in [Scots Peerage]
  • ROXBURGHE in [Scots Peerage]
  • JEDBURGH in [Scots Peerage]

Andrew Kerr, of Cessford and Auldtounburn, on Scottish border with England,
in 1451 he was granted the barony of Old Roxburgh,
as at 1457 he held post of Warden of the Marches,
died post-1481,
had issue:

Thomas Kerr of Smailholm, 1st of Ferniehirst,
mar Margaret Ker [dau of Sir Thomas Ker of Ferniehirst, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, on Scottish border with England],
he inherited Ferniehirst by mar,
ancestor of Kerr of Ferniehirst,
he died pre-1484,
had issue:

Sir Andrew Kerr of Ferniehirst,
mar pre-1501 to Janet Home,
he died post-1545,
had issue:

Robert Kerr of Ancram and Woodheid,
ancestor of Kerr of Ancram, Roxburghshire,
mar Isabel Home [descendant of Robert III, King of Scotland and of Henry I],
he died Feb 1588,
had issue:

William Kerr of Ancram and Woodheid,
mar Margaret Dundas [descendant of Robert II, King of Scotland and of Henry I],
he was assassinated in Edinburgh, Dec 1590, by his cousin Robert Ker, the future 1st Earl of Roxburghe,
had issue:

1. Robert Kerr, 1st Earl of Ancram, born 1578, cr 1633.
   Ancestor of Earls of Ancram, Earls of Lothian and Marquesses of Lothian.
   The family seat is still Ferniehirst (or Ferniehurst) Castle, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.

2. Sir Thomas Kerr of Redden.

   
Ferniehirst (or Ferniehurst) Castle, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.
(Left) Public domain image from here.
(Right) Public domain image from here.

Descended from Kerr of Ferniehirst is Kerr, Baronet, of Greenhead, Roxburghshire (cr 1637, extinct 1665).
See KERR in [Burkes Extinct Baronetage (Scotland)].
Claimed to be of this family is:

Sir William Carr (and here and search),
of Etal, Northumberland,
born 1703,
sometimes written Kerr,
styled himself as 8th Baronet Kerr, of Greenhead, but this was not officially recognised,
Etal Manor was built for him in 1748, at the E end of Etal village (see map),
Thomas Hopper and Margaret Smirk worked in his service,
died 1777,
had issue:

1. Isabella Carr,
   mar 1762 to James Hay, 15th Earl of Erroll and had issue.

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• Kerr surname discussion forum

• Ker / Kerr genealogy and p.2 and p.3 and p.4 and p.5 by Peter Barns-Graham

• Clan Kerr (and here)
• Kerr Family Association

• Sir Andrew Kerr, of Ferniehirst, above, is also ancestor of:
  1. Robert Carr, 1st Earl of Somerset (sometimes spelt Kerr), favourite of James VI.

• Earls of Ancram, and Earls and Marquesses of Lothian, ancestors of:
  1. Michael Kerr, 13th Marquess of Lothian, born 1945,
     "Michael Ancram", MP, Tory politician,
     for much of his life he was Michael Kerr, Earl of Ancram, so he goes by the name "Michael Ancram".

• Earls and Dukes of Roxburghe