Let me share the fascinating history of your family, the Hogs. According to Scottish surname expert David Dorward, the word ‘hogg’ in Scots refers to a young sheep. However, despite this, the name is commonly associated with swine. It likely originated from an occupational reference to a shepherd or swineherd. The name has deep roots in Scotland and is closely connected with Edinburgh and the Borders. The earliest record of your family name dates back to Malmer Hoge in Lennox in 1294. Alexander Hog ‘de Hogstown’ is listed on the Ragman Roll, pledging allegiance to Edward I of England in 1296. Henry Hogg and John Hogg are also mentioned as border landowners. This region in the Lowlands of Scotland was the heartland of the Hog clan.

The main branch of your family resided in Edinburgh. Roger Hog acquired charters to his lands during the reign of King David II. In 1373, Hog received land from the Countess of Fife and henceforth was styled ‘of Harcarse’. The family were prominent burgesses in Edinburgh during the fourteenth century. Alexander’s grandson, Roger, was a burgess of Edinburgh in 1330 and obtained lands near the city through a royal charter in the reign of David II. Following the grant of land at Sydserf in East Lothian from the Countess of Fife in 1373, the family became known as the Hogs of Harcase. Another branch of the Hogs, associated with the Keith Earls Marischal, was led by Monano Hog, who served as Marischal Depute in the Scottish Parliament in the 1550s and 1560s. In recognition of his service, the earl granted Monano the lands of Blairydrine in the parish of Durris in the Mearns, where the family, known as the Hogs of Blairdrine, settled and flourished for several centuries.

Returning to the main line of your family, Sir Roger Hog of Harcase became a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1677. The arms of Hog were officially recorded at the Lyon Court in 1783 by Roger Hog of Newliston. These arms featured boars’ heads, which cleverly represent a heraldic pun on the surname. Sir Roger’s grandnephew, Colonel Steuart Hog of Newliston, was a lawyer and member of the Scottish Bar. In 1935, he was appointed Vice-Lord Lieutenant of West Lothian. His son earned the Military Cross for his service in both World Wars. Newliston House, belonging to the branch of the Newliston family, still stands near Kirkliston, close to Edinburgh. Your family can also take pride in John Hogg, the porter at Edinburgh University, who was celebrated in a poem by Robert Fergusson.