 Genealogical Collections : Baird Name
As written by William Baird about 1770 or earlier:
The Sirname of BAIRD is originally of the South of France,1 where there were several Families of it in the reign of Louis IV, and it is said are still, but the first of the name mentioned in Britain came from Normandy to England with William the Conqueror. And from the time when it first appears in Scotland, there is reason to believe that some of that name came here with King William the Lyon, when he returned from his captivity in England, anno 1174, as it is agreed by all our historians, several English gentlemen did. For it is certain that in less than sixty years after that period, they possessed fine estates, and had made good alliances in the South and South West counties of Scotland.
And although, in times so remote, and in
which most other families, as well as those of that name, have suffered eclipses, or removal from one part of the kingdom to another, whereby their old writings have been frequently lost, it may be now impossible to make out a regular genealogy of anyone of them, yet the following extracts, from authors of unquestionable credit, will show that the name was both ancient and honorable in Scotland, as well as in
France and England.
I must first premise that the old spelling was Bard, Barde, Beard, Byrd, and Bayard, and that it was never written Baird till the latter end of the sixteenth century. This is common to all old names, and must have been owing to the different pronunciation between one province of France and another, and in Germany and Holland, and New York, which was long possessed by the Dutch, I have observed it spelt Bard and Bardt, and Baort.
1066 Le Seigneur de Barde, mentioned as one of William Duke of Normandy's followers to the conquest of England. (A large old History of Normandy in the Advocates Library, and Hollingshed's Chronicle, who calls him the Seigneur de Beart.) Library at Glasgow.
1178 Henry de Barde, Mariscallus apud Strivelin,
witness to a charter granted by King William the Lion to the Bishop of Glasgow, upon some lands in the town of Stirling, The Chartulary of Glasgow, sent lately from the Scotch College at Paris.
1194 Winchester, April 17 In a safe conduct granted by King Richard I to King William the Lion, in which large appointments of money and provisions during his going and coming and stay in England
are ordered for him, Hugo de Baird is one of the subscribing witnesses. Rymer's Foedera v1. p.88
1224 Magistrus Riccardus de Barde, witness to a charter granted by the Bishop of Glasgow Chartulary.
1228 Richard de Baird makes a donation to the Abbot and Convent of Kelso, dated at Lismahago, (a cell belonging to that abbacy) and the signing witnesses
are William de Maitland, ancestor of the Earl of Lauderdale, Archibald Lord Douglas, William Fleming, ancestor to the Earl of Wigton, Malcom Lockhart, & c. Chartulary of Kelso, p. 160.
1233 Robert Baird.- Chartulary of Paisley.
1240 Richard.-Ibid.
1240 May 26, King Alexander II, confirms a donation made by Richard de Baud to the
Monastery of Kelso, Rudulf de Dundas and Walter son of Allan, Justiciarius Scotiae witnesses, Douglas Baronage.
1240 Robert, son of Waldevus de Biggar, grants a charter to Richard Baird, upon the lands of Meikle and Little Kyp in the County of Lanark. Dalrymple's Collections, p. 397 and Nisbet's Heraldry.
1270 Peter Bulkeley, second son to Robert Bulkeley, by a
daughter of Butler of Bewsey in Lancashire, married the daughter of --Baird. Robert Bulkeley, ancestor of this family, was Lord of the Manor of Bulkeley in the county Palatine of Chester, in the reign of King John. His descendant was made Viscount Bulkeley in 1643, by King Charles 1. Lodge,s Peerage of Ireland.
1292 And following years, in the Ragman's Roll or Submission, sworn and
subscribed by the nobility and principal gentry of the Scotch nation, to King Edward 1 of England, the following three gentlemen are found, l. Fergus de Baird, of Meikle and Little Kyp according to Mr. Nisbet, who says it was a great and very considerable family. 2. John Baird, of Evandale, as the same author thinks. 3. Robert Baird. Mr. Nisbet thinks that this was Baird of Cambusnethan, and says that estate went
to Sir Alexander Stuart, afterwards of Darnley, by marrying the heiress, Jean Baird, about 1360, and that in 1390 he gave it with his daughter to Sir Thomas Somerville of Carnwath, Lord Somerville's ancestor, upon their marriage.
1296 Duncan, Fergus, John, and Nicol Bairds, all mentioned this year as men of rank and property in Pryn's Collections.
1297 - 1305. Jordan Baird was a constant companion of the brave Sir William Wallace, in all his warlike exploits, and mentioned with great honour in all the accounts of that heroic gentleman.
In April 1768, Sir William Johnston of Hilton told me that he (Sir William) saw some years ago a lineal genealogy from this Jordan Baird to Sir James Baird of Auchmedden.
1308 Baird of Carnwath, in Clydesdale county of Lanark, with other three or four gentlemen of that name, being convicted of a conspiracy against King Robert Bruce in a Parliament held at Perth, were forfeited, and put to death, and the lands of Carnwath given to Sir Alexander Stuart of Darnley by that Prince. Dalrymple's Collections, p.394.
Cambusnethan was long possessed by the
Bairds and the late Lord Somerville told me, at his own house of Drum, in 1731, that there is a part of the old house still called "The Baird's Tower."2
1310 There is a Charter extant, granted by King Robert Bruce to Robert Baird, upon the Barony of Cambusnethan. Ibid.3 This estate lies in the Upper Ward of Clydesdale, county of Lanark.
1313. March 4 King Edward II of England signs a commission to Peter Baird and John Sturmy, conjunctly and severally, to be Admirals of England, and Commanders of his own fleet of Ships
of War then fitted out, and of all others that may be afterwards sent by him to annoy the Coast of Scotland. Rymer's Foedera, tome iii., p. 475.
1317 Edmund Baird, with a great many other nobility and gentry, obtained a pardon from King Edward II. for an insurrection made by them against Pierce Gaveston, and killing him. Ibid, p. 444.
1318 Edward II gives a commission for levying men to carry on the War against Scotland, which amongst others is directed to one Simon Baird. Ibid.
1328 A Treaty of Peace was concluded at Northampton between King Edward III and King Robert Bruce, by which it was agreed that King Robert should pay to King Edward 30,000 merks in consideration of the damage done last year by his army in England. The last payment
of this money, being 10,000 merks fell due at the Feast of John the Baptist, being the 24th of June 1331. King Edward then assigns King Robert Bruce's obligation to Bartholomew Barde and others of that name, called the Company of the Bairds trading to Florence, and sends them to Scotland to receive the said sum from David Bruce, then King; and in a letter writ two days after, Edward recommends them to David's special
affection. That Prince likewise employs them in several other important transactions during the course of his reign, and calls them his beloved and trusty "Bankiers," the Company of the Bairds. Rymer, tome iv., p.463, et passim.
1333 March 24, In a skirmish on the Borders between a Scotch and an English party, Sir William Douglas, Governor of Lochmaben, and Sir William Baird, were routed by Sir Anthony Lacy, and taken prisoners with 100 gentlemen, 160 more being slain on that occasion. Cartes History of England, vol. ii, p.414. On March 28, King Edward III, then at Pomfret Castle, being informed that the
above two gentlemen were taken prisoners, and in the custody of Ranulph de Dacre, Governor of Carlisle Castle, sends his mandate of this date, to the said Governor commanding them to be kept securely till further orders. Rymer, vol. vi., p. 255.
1338 Kennington, Aug 8. Complaint being made by the Duke of Gelders to King Edward III, that some of the transports which had carried his Majesty and his forces to France, on their return met with some merchant ships belonging to the Duke's subjects on the sea, between Blaunkebergh and Hest, near the Flemish coast had violently
plundered them of goods to a considerable value, the King issues his commission to Peter Baird, Admiral, from the mouth of the Thames over all the west coast of England, of Kent, Sussex, Somerset, Dorset, Cornwall, Devon, and Gloucester, to inquire into the matter, and to arrest all who shall be found to have been guilty. Rymer, tome v., p.76.
1338 Windsor, Sept. 23. Edward III. being informed that several galleys equipt for war, and filled with armed men to a considerable number from the coast of France, Normandy, and other parts, had attacked some English ships, partly belonging to himself and partly to his English subjects on the coast of Zealand, in a hostile manner, and greatly injured both the sailors and passengers on board, gives a
commission to his beloved Peter Baird, Admiral, from the mouth of the Thames over all the west coast of England, to go to sea with a naval force, and to pursue, attack, and annoy the said galleys wherever he can find them. Ibid, p. 83.
1350 Sir Walter Murray of Tullibardine, ancestor to the Duke of Athol, married Margaret la Baird, and by this lady had a son, his heir and successor, Sir William Murray. Nisbet's Heraldry, p.52 and in p.195
of the Appendix, he says, "The lady was of the ancient family of Cambusnethan, which had long continued in lustre."
1356 Sept 19, Sir William Baird of Evandale, accompanied the Earl of Douglas at the battle of Poictiers, and his family had been long in use to join the Douglases on every occasion. lnformed of this by a letter of Mr. James Baird's, in 1767.
1364 Or about that time Sir Lawrence Baird, of Posso, in the county of Peebles, married the second daughter of Sir Thomas Somerville, Lord Somerville's ancestor, by Lady Elizabeth Douglas, daughter to Sir James Douglas, ancestor to the Earl of Morton. MSS. of Lord Somerville's family.
1377 Ricardus de Barde, (son to former,) witness to a charter of the Archbishop of Glasgow Chartulary.
1388 Westminster, August 11 In a commission issued by King Richard II. for observing the terms then agreed on between the French King and him, addressed to Seneschals or High Sheriffs, and other principal officers in the different provinces of his French dominions; the Sieur de la Barde, and his lieutenants for the time being, are named in the Counties and Marches of Agenoys and Guertyn. Rymer, tome vii., p. 640,
and frequently afterwards during the course of that reign.
1398 October. In a treaty concluded between the Commissioners of both nations at Hawdenstank, it is agreed that Adam de Gordon, William le Barde, and Adam French, being notorious truce-breakers, shall appear in the next day appointed for the meeting of the great Commissaries of "baith Realms," under the penalty of 3000 lib. Rymer, tome viii., p. 55.
1405 March 11, Thomas de Lancastre, son to King Henry IV., Admiral of England, and appointed by the King, his father, Lieutenant for the Irish war, is sent to that island with an armed force, viz. 2 earls, 12 barons, 80 knights, 605 esquires, 700 men-at-arms, and 1400 archers, and among the volunteers who accompanied him to that expedition with armed men, paid out of their own money, and for which they had the King's
licence to continue in force for six months after that date, is Walter de Barde, of the county of Devon. Rymer, tome viii., p. 389.
1408 Westminster, Jan. 28. King Henry IV, grants letters of legitimation, under the Great Seal of England, to Leonard Baird, bastard son of Sir Anthony de Baird, both living at Bourdeaux, with all the privileges of a son born in lawful wedlock. Rymer, tome viii., p. 510.
1409 Westminster, Dec.11 In a grant by King Henry IV. to the city of Leybourne, in the province of Bourdeaux, of the tithe of wine and all other commodities that came down the river Dordogne to that city, a special grant which that King had formerly made to his well-beloved Le Seigneur de la Barde and other three of the noblesse of that county is excepted. Rymer, tome viii., p.614.
1412 Bourdeaux, Feb 12. In a charter of confirmation granted by Thomas Duke of Clarence to John Dupont, his secretary, of lodgings or dwelling-houses in the city of Bourdeaux, which are there particularly described, it is said that they had been formerly given by his father, King Henry IV, to Bos de la Barde, Esquire, and were by him sold to the said John Dupont. Rymer, tome viii., p.774.
1427 March 11. King Henry VI, being afraid of insurrections from domestic, and invasions from foreign enemies, sends out his commission of Arroy. That for Estrythyngem, a part of the county of York, is directed to Sir Richard Nevyll, Sir Henry Percy de Athel, Sir Richard Hilton, Robert Barde, & c. Rymer, tome x., p.373.
1460 The lands of Kilkerran belonged to the name of Baird before King James IV, as appears by a charter of that Prince in 1509, upon those lands, which lie in the shire of Ayr, to David, Earl of Cassils, in which it is said that they belonged formerly to John Baird, of Kilquhenzie. Nisbet's Heraldly
1465 Martin Baird a charter under the Great Seal, for the lands of Halydon Hill in Merse. Records.
1487 August 6. William de Baird, de Posso, witness to a charter upon the lands of Manorhope, in the shire of Peebles, by John lnglis to his son.- Douglas' Baronage.
1490 Margaret Inglis, sister to --Inglis of Murdiston, and widow to John Burnet of that ilk, is served in a terce of the lands of Barns and Burnet Land, before the Sheriff of Peebles and these gentlemen witnesses, viz: William Fraser of Fuird; Alexander Veitch of Dawick;
Gilbert Baird of Posso; John Govan of Cardrona; James Sandilands of Bold; David Tait of Pirn; Thomas Dickson of Ormistoun & c. Ibid.
1515 Peter du Terrail, Seigneur de Bayard,3 flourished at this time. He was originally of Dauphiny, and commonly termed the Chevalier de Bayard, but was called by the writers, in his own time, the good knight without fear and without reproach. Upon his giving the Swiss a total defeat, Francis I. did him the honour to be knighted by him. He was born in 1476 at the Castle of Bayard, and his family held a very distinguished rank among the first nobility of Dauphiny. It was one of the houses which in that province were honoured with the title of the scarlet nobility, by which the ancient nobility was distinguished from those who were created by Louis II., whom, when he invaded Dauphiny, he made without
distinction, if they paid him well. The Chevalier's great-great-grandfather was killed at the battle of Poictiers, September 19, 1356, his great-grandfather at the battle of Agincourt, his grandfather in that of Mont-l'-hery, and his father was dangerously wounded at Guinegate. But the military glory of the Chevalier eclipsed that of all his ancestors. He died in April, 1524, of a wound received with a musket-ball in a defeat which the French suffered
at Rebec in Italy, when he served with the Admiral Bonnivet. All the historians of that celebrated age celebrate his loyalty, valor, and virtue. Thevet writes his life.-Illustres et scavans hommes, vol. v, and the Archbishop of Cambray has drawn his character in very flimsy colours, in a dialogue between him and the Constables Bourbon and de Saint Paul, in which the contrast is extremely strong. The Chevalier never married.
1701 One Colonel Nicholas Bayard, of New York, was tried for a conspiracy against King William and condemned, but reprieved. Probably he was of French extraction, and settled in that province among the Dutch; and April 12, 1769, Robert Bayard, was Major of the 60th Regiment, and sold out.
1526 William Baird has a charter, under the Great Seal, upon the lands of Balmaduthy, Indety4 &c. Both these estates lie in East Ross the parish of Indety and shire of Ross and are presently possessed by two gentlemen of the name of Mackenzie. These Bairds were an ancient family.
1537 William Baird, of Indety, has a charter, under the Great Seal, on several other lands.
1541 - 1548 &c. Several charters to the Bairds of Glencopock. Besides the foregoing, it appears from the public records that a great many other lands belonged to the name of Baird of old. A Letter to Sir Robert Douglas in 1767.
1550 One William Baird was Scout or Sheriff of Amsterdam, a man of great abilities, good esteem, and substance, but was suspected of being a Protestant, and a plot laid against his life by the violent party of the Roman Catholics, which, by the address of himself and several friends of power and interest, he narrowly escaped. The story is very remarkable. Brandt's History of the Reformation in Germany.
1580 Sir Anthony Wingfield, of an ancient family in the county of Suffolk, where they had a seat before the Norman conquest, was knighted, and made Sheriff of Suffolk 39 of Elizabeth, and married Mary, daughter to John Bird, of Denston, Esq., in that county. His collateral descendant was created Baron Wingfield and Viscount Powerscourt, in 1747. Lodge's Peerage.
1620 Sir William Baird, Dean of the Arches, employed afterwards in several commissions of honour and trust by King James I. In 1624, he is called Doctor of Civil Law, and one of the commissioners appointed by that Prince for recording petitions from any of the three kingdoms. Rymer, tome xvii., pp. 201, 555, & c. He was also Judge of Prerogative. Wood's Athen. Oxon, who spells his name Byrd, as it is spelt in an old seal of George Baird, of Ordinhnivas.
1643 Sir Henry Baird, of Stains left Cambridge and joined the King's army, in which he did very good service. He, with Sir George Lisle, led on the left wing at Naseby, and brought off the whole brigade. He was afterwards created Viscount Bellamont by King Charles I. He is mentioned in the Marquis of Worcester's Apophthegms as a brave commander. He attended King Charles II. at the time of his exile. Lloyd's Memoirs, p. 668. Heath's Chronicle.
1644 July 2. Captain John Baird, slain on the King's side at the battle of Marston Moor. England's Black Tribunal.
1648 In Joly's Voyage, or Minutes printed at Amsterdam, in 1670, when he mentions the public ministers at the treaty of Westphalia, he says, "For the King of France, in the first place, was sent Monsieur de la Barde, not in the character of resident, as the lists of the Plenipotentiarys, printed first at Cologne and afterwards at Paris, call him. It is a mistake. For he had been formerly sent
by the King as ambassador into Switzerland, and was acknowledged and treated as such at the congress by Monsieur de Longueville."He has written the History of Queen Anne of Austria's Regency with great distinctness, elegance, and judgment.
1720 About this time, --Baird of Weston, in England, died and left three daughters, co-heiresses, of whom one was this year Countess of Castlehaven.- lrish Peerage.
And there are still
some gentlemen of the name in the counties of Buckingham, Gloucester, Hereford, Middlesex, Somerset, Stafford, and Sussex.
And in the south-west counties of Scotland, there are still some gentlemen's families of the name, particularly one in the shire of Lanark, and another in the shire of Ayr, and a number of the Commons of Lanark, Renfrew, Peebles, and the Merse, and about Glasgow; and in Glasgow are several gentlemen of the name in trade, and others in good circumstances and esteem.5 |
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