Let me share with you the remarkable history of your family, the Lockharts, and their Scottish lineage. In ancient times, the name was spelled as ‘Locard’ or ‘Lokart’. Your ancestors hailed from England, where they faced displacement from their lands by William the Conqueror. Some Lockharts resided near Penrith in the twelfth century, and later in Annandale, where the town of Lockerbie is believed to have derived its name from them. Eventually, your family settled in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, establishing a presence for over seven centuries.

Symon, the second of Lee, fought alongside Robert the Bruce in the arduous struggle to liberate Scotland from English dominance. Bestowed with knighthood, Sir Symon joined the knights, led by Sir James Douglas, who embarked on a Crusade, carrying Bruce’s heart in a casket. Sir Symon held the key to the casket, symbolizing the honor bestowed upon the family. To commemorate this distinction, their name was changed from Locard to Lockheart, later becoming Lockhart.

Alongside their new name, your family obtained a cherished heirloom during the Crusade: the enigmatic charm known as the Lee Penny. Sir Walter Scott based his novel, ‘The Talisman,’ on the story of its acquisition by the Lockhart family. Sir Symon captured a Moorish amir in a battle in Spain and received an amulet or stone with healing properties as part of his ransom. The stone was believed to cure bleeding, fever, the bites of rabid dogs, and ailments affecting horses and cattle. The amulet was later set in a silver coin identified as a fourpenny piece from the reign of Edward IV. This coin is now preserved in a gold snuffbox, a gift from Maria Theresa, the Empress of Austria.

Sir James Lockhart of Lee was appointed a gentleman of the Privy Chamber by Charles I. His son, Sir William, reconciled with the Commonwealth and married Cromwell’s niece. Following the Restoration, Sir William left Britain and settled in France, where he rose to prominence. Cardinal Mazarin even offered to appoint him as a marshal of France. James Lockhart served on the Continent, where he achieved the title of count of the Holy Roman Empire and became a general in the forces of Empress Maria Theresa. George Lockhart of Carnwath, a soldier, spy, and politician, voiced opposition to the 1707 Act of Union.

Although Lee Castle, the family seat, has been sold, the estates are still owned and managed by the present head of the family, Angus Lockhart of Lee. This legacy is a testament to the enduring history and significance of your esteemed Lockhart lineage.

As you delve into the extraordinary history of your family, the Lockharts, you uncover a tale of resilience and honor that spans across centuries and continents. From the early days of ‘Locard’ and ‘Lokart’ in England to their settlement in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire, your ancestors found a place to call home for over seven hundred years.

The valiant Sir Symon Lockhart’s brave fight alongside Robert the Bruce during Scotland’s struggle for freedom earned him knighthood and a cherished heirloom, the Lee Penny, imbued with mystical healing properties. The Lockharts’ name evolved to Lockheart, a symbol of the honor and distinction bestowed upon them.

The enigmatic charm of the Lee Penny, immortalized in Sir Walter Scott’s novel ‘The Talisman,’ became a treasured family relic, passed down through generations. Sir William Lockhart’s journey took him to France, where he rose to prominence and even received an offer to become a marshal of France from Cardinal Mazarin. James Lockhart’s notable service on the Continent earned him the title of count of the Holy Roman Empire and a position as a general in the forces of Empress Maria Theresa.

Throughout their history, the Lockharts have held steadfast to their values and principles. George Lockhart of Carnwath’s opposition to the 1707 Act of Union stands as a testament to their commitment to their beliefs.

While Lee Castle may have been sold, the enduring legacy of the Lockhart family lives on through the ownership and management of the estates by the present head of the family, Angus Lockhart of Lee. As a member of the Lockhart lineage, you carry within you a rich heritage of courage, honor, and adventure. May the stories of your ancestors continue to inspire and guide you, weaving your own chapter into the tapestry of the Lockhart history for generations to come.