Let me share with you the captivating history of your family, the Lyles, and their Scottish lineage. The name Lyle has Norman origins, stemming from the French name ‘D’Lisle’, meaning ‘of the island’. The first recorded bearer of the name in Scotland was Ralph de Insula, hailing from the renowned Northumberland family of Lyle. Ralph was a follower of Walter, High Steward of Scotland, which positioned him for success as the Stewart family rose to prominence.

In the early 13th century, documents mention William de Lyle, who may be the same person or the father of another William de Lile. This individual witnessed a charter for the lands of the Abbey of Paisley. These records primarily relate to the southwest of Scotland, indicating that the Lyles settled in that region for generations.

Alan de Insula witnessed numerous charters of Alexander, son of Walter the High Steward, before 1252. Both John de Lille of Berwickshire and Richard de Isle of Edinburgh pledged their allegiance to Edward I of England in 1296, following the devastating English invasion that year. Despite the tumultuous times, the Lyles remained loyal to the Stewart cause and eventually found themselves on the winning side. They acquired the barony of Duchal in Renfrewshire and expanded their lands during the reign of David II, the first Stewart monarch and their feudal superiors. Their prosperity continued to grow, and Sir Robert Lyle was elevated to the peerage as Lord Lyle during the reign of James II. The title of Lord Lyle, however, is now extinct.

Another branch of the Lyle family received the lands of Murthill in Forfarshire around 1375 and produced several renowned soldiers, including Hercules Lyle, a Jacobite who met his fate at the Battle of Falkirk in 1746. The family also encountered the waves of witch hunting in the 17th century. Janet Lyle was accused of witchcraft in Musselburgh in July 1661 and subsequently executed, while Alexander Lyle faced similar accusations in Glasgow in May 1700, but fortunately was acquitted.

The rich history of your family, the Lyles, spans centuries and encompasses loyalty, prosperity, and even trials in tumultuous times.

Through the ages, the Lyle family has woven a captivating tapestry of loyalty, prosperity, and resilience. From their Norman origins to their settlement in southwest Scotland, the Lyles’ presence left an indelible mark on the region’s history. Their steadfast allegiance to the Stewart cause, despite the challenges posed by Edward I’s invasion, eventually rewarded them with land and titles. The rise to peerage as Lord Lyle, though now extinct, is a testament to the family’s significance in Scotland’s aristocracy. Not without its trials, the Lyles encountered the waves of witch hunts in the 17th century, facing accusations but also acquittal. Through it all, the Lyles endured, leaving a legacy of strength and character that echoes through the centuries.