Let me recount the fascinating history of your family, the Fotheringhams, which traces its roots to the parish of Inverarity in Angus. The name itself is believed to have originated from Fotheringhay, a manor in Northamptonshire, although over time, the spelling evolved, with ‘ay’ appearing similar to ‘m’ in ancient script. Fotheringhay conveys the meaning of a ‘clearing in the forest used for making hay.’

The manor of Fotheringhay was held by David of Huntingdon, who later ascended to become David I of Scotland, living from 1083 to 1153. David, the son of Malcolm III and Margaret (the saint), along with his brothers, was compelled to flee Scotland following their parents’ demise. Determined to reclaim the throne, David and his brothers initiated a series of invasions into Scotland, often aided by adventurous English knights. It is speculated that the first Fotheringay, bearing your family name, may have been one of these bold knights, rewarded with Scottish lands for their service. Another possibility is that Fotheringay has Hungarian origins, stemming from an improbable tale that a countryman accompanying Edward Atheling and marrying Malcolm III’s sister bore this name. Interestingly, Fotheringay Castle, the namesake estate, became infamous as the site of Mary, Queen of Scots’ execution in later centuries.

Delving into the annals of history, we find Huwe de Fotheringeye’s name inscribed in the Ragman Roll of 1296, where he and numerous Scottish nobles pledged allegiance to Edward I of England. John Fotheringhame, possibly through marriage to a daughter of the Ogilvies of Aughterhouse, acquired the lands of West Powrie around 1399. In 1481, Nicholas Fotheringham of Powrie attempted to seize the Dunbog estate in Glenesk from the widow of the Earl of Montrose, meeting his fate at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.

Sir Alexander Fotheringham of Powrie, a devoted supporter of Charles I, faced capture at Alyth and was subsequently sent to England in 1645, meeting his demise in exile in 1652. His grandson, David, an accomplished equestrian and horse breeder, took charge of the matriculation of the Fotheringham coat of arms at Lyon Court in 1677. Further down the lineage, Thomas Frederick Fotheringham, a captain in the Scots Fusiliers, served valiantly throughout the Crimean War. Notably, Walter, son of Thomas and Lady Charlotte Carnegie, sister of the ninth Earl of Southesk, gained ownership of the vast estates of Grandtully and Murthly in Perthshire. Murthly, a former Royal estate, boasted a magnificent hunting lodge predominantly in neo-classical style, dating back to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

Your family’s history encompasses a tapestry of noble exploits, alliances, and remarkable achievements. From the days of knights and invasions to the trials and triumphs of subsequent generations, the legacy of the Fotheringham name stands strong, woven into the fabric of Scottish history.