Your family’s heritage weaves through the heart of Scotland, centered around the remarkable town and Castle of Stirling, situated at the nation’s crossroads. The origin of the name is often attributed to this strategic location, sometimes interpreted as the ‘place of strife’. It was Thoraldus who graced a charter in 1147, holding the lands of Cadder and marking the genesis of your family’s journey. As generations unfolded, your forebears adopted the name ‘de Srivelyn’.

In the fifteenth century, the legacy continued to flourish with Sir John de Strivelyn’s tenure as governor of the regal Castle at Dumbarton. His distinguished presence was felt within the household of James I. A pivotal shift came with his son William, who secured the lands of Glorat from the Earl of Lennox and held the mantle of Dumbarton Castle. The torch was carried by George, William’s son, who bore the scars of the Battle of Pinkie in 1547 and ultimately succumbed to wounds sustained there. The epic saga culminated with Sir Mungo Stirling of Glorat, unwavering in his support of Charles I. The monarch acknowledged his valor with a knighthood, a gesture of gratitude that echoed through the ages. This legacy flourished as George Stirling, Sir Mungo’s son, was granted a Baronetcy of Nova Scotia in 1666, with the family arms adorned with a royal augmentation, an emblem of allegiance to the Stuart dynasty.

The annals of your family history unfurl the acquisition of Keir lands in Perthshire during the mid-fifteenth century. Amidst the tumultuous rebellion of Prince James against his father, James III, Sir William Stirling of Keir stood firm as a loyal supporter. Upon the prince’s ascent to the throne as James IV, your family’s influence was solidified. The legacy of Keir remained steadfast in its loyalty to the Stuarts, manifesting in their participation in both the risings of 1715 and 1745. Stepping into the nineteenth century, William Stirling of Keir expanded his horizons across Spain and the Middle East, ultimately authoring various books, including a comprehensive life of Velasquez. His impact transcended literary realms, as he became an MP for Perthshire and assumed the Maxwell baronetcy of Pollock in 1865.

The pages of your family narrative reveal the conferral of another baronetcy upon James Stirling, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, honoring his efforts to quell riots in 1792. Modern times have only deepened your family’s footprint, with Lieutenant Colonel Stirling of Garden embracing the role of Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk for an extended period. Distinguished diplomacy courses through your lineage, evident in the ascent of Sir Charles Stirling of Cadder, a diplomat who succeeded his cousin Arthur as chief in 1967. The mantle passed to Sir Charles’s son, Francis, an accomplished BBC radio producer, actor, and director. Your family’s story stands as a testament to resilience, achievement, and unwavering dedication to Scotland’s rich tapestry.