Origins of Clan Hamilton

There is a strong tradition that the Scottish Clan of Hamilton has its origins in the deserted medieval village in our parish.
No firm account attributable to contemporary documents exists, so the tradition may have to remain just that. Three accounts have been found, each different, but within them are some common threads.
So, let us examine each in turn:-

Account 1

Origin not known; current in Hamilton family.
At the court of King Edward II, Sir Gilbert de Hamilton expressed admiration for Robert Bruce, upon which he was struck, by John de Spencer.
A duel resulted in which de Spencer fell, and the de Spencer family, being favourites of the King, de Hamilton fled North to Scotland. Near the border, de Hamilton and his squire, disguised as woodcutters, attracted the attention of some soldiers.
As the soldiers approached, de Hamilton called out ‘Throu’ (the equivalent of ‘Timber!’). The soldiers withdrew and sped on whilst de Hamilton safely crossed into Scotland.

Account 2

Origin not known, current in Hamilton Family. Quoted by HL Hamilton in ‘An Darach’, Clan Hamilton magazine, 2006.
“Walter fitzGilbert de Hamilton appears on a document in Renfrew in 1294 and on another in Lanark in 1296. He was governor of Bothwell Castle 1310-1314. Earlier than this, William de Hamilton went to Scotland about 1215. The manor of Hamilton was suddenly abandoned in 1204. This William was either the 3rd son of Robert Beaumont, second Earl of Leicester, or the son or grandson of Henry Beaumont 2nd son of the 2nd Earl of Leicester or brother of that Henry. This assumes that the de Hamiltons are of the Beaumont family, based on striking similarities in the Beaumont and early Hamilton arms. (Beaumont – shield gules [red] with a single cinquefoil, de Hamilton identical, except three cinquefoils). There are examples of each shield side by side in St Mary de Castro Church, Leicester.
“In 1212 there was a Festival in Edinburgh Castle in honour of King William the Lion’s 14 year-old son, Prince Alexander. William de Hamilton is one of twelve to be knighted.
“After the death of Robert Beaumont, 4th Earl of Leicester, in 1204, the remaining male heir, William de hgamilton, was targeted by King John and driven out of Leicestershire. This was so that John could dissolve the Earldom of Leicester and divide the Beaumont estates between two surviving sisters, although ‘one was a widow whose children were barred from inheritance because they were French.’”
I think we’ll end this account here.

Account 3

Nichols – History of the County of Leicester, Volume III
“Hamilton,” says Mr Burton in 1642, “is in the parish of Barkby, and had a chapel within it. In this town was the seat of the ancient family of Hamilton, which belonged to the old earls of Leicester; from whose grant they had this land, and therefore bare for their arms, Gules, three Cinquefoils Ermine, alluding to the said earl’s coat, who bare Gules, one cinquefoil Ermine; both which stand together in St Mary’s church in Leicester. Of this house was sir Gilbert de Hamilton, knight; who, in the reign of king Edward II, having slain one of the family of Thomas Despenser (the favourite of Edward II), fled into Scotland; and there, marrying with Isabell, daughter of Thomas Randolfe, earl of Murray, planted himself, and was honourably entertained by Robert Bruce king of Scotland; of whose gift he held lands in Cadzowe in Chisedale, whose issue were after made barons of parliament; of whom descended James, lord Hamilton, that married Mary the daughter of James the Second, king of Scotland; who by her had issue James earl of Arran, created duke of Castle Herault in Poitou in France, and knight of the order of St Michael, by Henry the Second, the French king; who had issue John marquis of Hamilton, who had issue James marquis of Hamilton, earl of Arran, baron of Evon and Aberbroth, created earl of Cambridge, and baron of Ennerdale in Cumberland, by his majesty, 1619 and counsellor of state for both the kingdoms of England and Scotland, who died 1624, leaving issue James marquis of Hamilton [ who was beheaded in Old Palace Yard March 9, 1648].”