Craufurds of Lefnoreis or Lochnorris, now Dumfries House
by James Paterson 'History of the County of Ayr' (1843)

For the purpose of this work, James Paterson's nomenclature I., II, III,.... etc. is retained and extracts
from his work appear in black font. This is greatly enhanced with research notes kindly provided by
Stuart Clarkson, Guelph, Canada which appear in blue font.


I. ___Craufurd of Lochnorris
whose daughter , Eizabeth, was married, probably about 1440, to Sir Robert Hamilton of Brentwood.

George Craufurde
called de Beathtis 1452 [RMS/ii#559]
1452 : — 20 may 1452 royal confirmation of charter to Roger de Cr de Drongane in 2 merk lands of
Myddil-Beath with the bosca of Beath with all lands lying between bosca and Nith, with all lands of
OvirBeath on the other part with the whole hill called the Brounhill between the Blaksolling and bar
Uchiltre lying in bar Cumnok vic Are by him de Beathtis [RMS/ii#559]
Courtesy of Stuart Clarkson

Properties : Myddil Beath (Middle Beoch, New Cumnock) OverBeath (Over Beoch, New
Cumnock). It is interesting to see this early form of the modern day place-name of Beoch in the
original Gaelic form of
beith 'birch'. The latin term bosca may refer to the woodland (cf. Sancto Bosco -Holywood
in Dumfriesshire) leading to the Gaelic
beith achadh (beoch) 'land of the birch' .

II. William Craufurd of Lefnoryis
probably his son (viz. I) He is mentioned in Pitcairn's Criminal Trials as the father of III
William Craufurd, ?son of George Craufurd of Beathtis/Lochnorris
called of Lefnoryis
children: William [hca/i.355]
— [ACT, says hca/i.355]
Courtesy of Stuart Clarkson

III. William Craufurd of Lefnoreis
'Engaged in the slaughter of Patrick Dunbar, Laird of Corsintoune (Corsincon), at the Kirk of Cumnock,
in 1512. He had a charter from James IV, in 1511, in favour of his son and appeirand heir, IV.

William Craufurd, son of William Craufurd of Lefnoryis
called of Beathe 1481/2 [RMS/ii#1504], 1513 [ros#58]; de Lefnoreis and Beax 1511 [RMS/ii#3679]
b. ?c. 1445 (guess)
d. 1512-17
m. pre 1511 [RMS/ii#3679]
Jonet Campbell [RMS/ii#3679]
children: George [RMS/ii#3679]; William [ros#260, 261]; Hugh [RMS/iii#671]; Matthew
[ros#651]

— 16 dec 1511 (royal confirmatn 14 jan 1511/12) charter to Geo Cr son, heir app in 4 merk lands of
Leffinnoriis, 10s lands of Blakethill, 8 merk lands of Beax with tower etc together with his common
part of common lands of Terringzane (Kyle-regis vic Are) by him de Lefnoreis and Beax father to be
held in blenchferm from crown reserving free tenement to him, rationabili tertia to Jonet C sp witn Alexr
Campbell de Skeryngtoun [hca/i.355=RMS/ii#3679]
— 1512 part in slaughter of Patrick Dunbar of Corsincone [hca/i.355; see ACT— not what it says:
him, Andr C of Sekrringtoun pardoned as principal parisioners along with others for not acting in
defence of Patr D of Corsincone when murdered at kirk fully attended by parishioners— ?RSRS/????]
— 1513 instrument narrating that he of Beax sick in body but sound in mind witn money transactions
[ros#58]
Courtesy of Stuart Clarkson

Lands of Beax with tower: Beoch Tower - could this have been the castlehill adjacent to the site of
Waterhead Castle (may be on the wrong side of the River Nith to be on Beoch lands).

IV. George Craufurd of Lefnoreis
'Charter of the four merk land of Lefnoreis, the ten shilling land of Blackettle, and eight merk land of
Beauch, together with an annual rent of ten shillings out of the barony of Cumnock.'

George Craufurd, son and heir apparent of William Craufurd
called of Lefnoreis [hca/i.356]
b. ?c. 1470 (guess)
m.
Besseta Wallace [ros#94]
children: William [RMS/iii#1973]; George [ros#450]; Christina [ros#803]; Annabella
[ros#803]; Mariota [ros#89]; Marie [ros#193]; Giles [ros#398]; Isobella [ros#451]
— 16 dec 1511 (royal confirmatn 14 jan 1511/12) charter to him son, heir app in 4 merk lands of
Leffinnoriis, 10s lands of Blakethill, 8 merk lands of Beax with tower etc together with his common
part of common lands of Terringzane (Kyle-regis vic Are) by Wm Cr de Lefnoreis and Beax father to be
held in blenchferm from crown reserving free tenement to sd Wm father, rationabili tertia to Jonet C sp
witn Alexr C de Skeryngtoun [hca/i.355=RMS/ii#3679]
— 27 oct 1514 instrument narrating that Elena Chamber sp of Wm Wallace of Crago delivere
to Besseta Wallace sp of him of Lafnoris charter in 4 merk lands of Craginan (ie Craigman), Beax (ie
Beoch) to sd Geo, Besseta in conjunct fee … 4 merk lands of Laffinoris … annual rent from lands of bar
of Dalmellynton [ros#94]
— 13 jul 1517 instrument narrating that him of Lafinoris resigned merk land of Dalleglis, merk land
of Quhythill
(Whitehill), merk land of Schang (Changue) into hands of Jas Dunbar of Cumnock
superior in favour of Besseta Wallace sp, sd Jas D granted sd lands to him, sd Besseta sp in conjunct fee
[ros#185]
— 10 aug 1517 instrument narrating that Thos Ros bailie of James Dunbar of Cumnok in terms of
precept by sd Jas Dunbar gave sasine to him, sp [ros#186]
— 14 mar 1518/19 instrument narrating that Geo Douglas bailie of him of Lafnoris in terms of precept
by him gave sasine in 2 merk lands of Dalleglis, Quhit(hill) (bar Cumnok vic Ayr) to Andr Reid in
Thirdpart (Ochiltree) in terms of charter [ros#297]
27 oct 1520 instrument narrating that Joh Reid bailie of him of Liffynnoris in terms of precept of clare
constat
, sasine 24 oct 1520 by him witn Hugh Cr in Hieteth (?brother) et al gave sasine to Wm Reid
nearest law heir to Andr Reid in Thirdpart his father in
2 merk lands of Daleglis, Quhithill,
Lagmanharbe [ros#425]
— 30 jan 1520/21 instrument narrating that Geo Cr son of him of Laffinoris bailie in terms of
precept by him passed to lands of Fadrin, there gave sasine in 2 merk lands of Fardin (bar Cumnok
vic Are) according to charter to be made to Wm Rede son, heir of dec Andr Rede [ros#450]
— apr 1531 named as one of principal parishioners of Cumnock [ros#1147]
Courtesy of Stuart Clarkson

N.B. It is interesting to note that George Craufurd's spouse was Besseta Wallas, reminding us that the
Craufurds of Dalleagles were descended were kinsmen of the Craufurds of Loudon, the house of Sir
William Wallace's mother, Margaret Craufurd. The name appears in the parish in later years in the
form of Walls.

V. William Craufurd of Lefnoreis
1533 : had a charter from James V to him and his spouse, Agnes Craufurd, of the two merk land of
Nather Beaux (Nether Beoch) and Craigmain (Craigman).

William Craufurd, son and heir apparent of George Craufurd de Lefnoreis [RMS/iv#1973]
called fiar of Lefnoreis 1533, 1535, 1539 [RSSRS/ii#1533, 1681, 3027]
b. ?c. 1495 (guess)
d. 1543-1546 [CC/vi.43-4; RSRS/xviii.397-8]
m. pre 1533 [hca/i.356]
Agnes Craufurd [RSSRS/ii#1533]
children: George [RSRS/xviii.397-8]; Margaret [CC/vi.43-4]
— 24 mar 1528/29 him son, heir app of Geo Cr of Laffnoris witn with sd Geo Cr instrument [ros#936]
— 6 apr 1533 (charter 6 apr 1533 —hca/i.356 says 16 apr) precept for royal charter to him fiar of
Lefnoreis, Agnes Craufurd spouse in 2 merk lands of N. Beaux, 2 merk lands of Cragman (dom
Kyle vic Are) which sd Wm resigned to be held in conjunct fee [hca/i.356= RMS/iii #1276,
RSSRS/ii#1533]
— 26 may 1535 letter to him fear of lands of Lefynoreis of gift of nonentries of 2 merk lands of
Ferding, 2 merk lands of Auchinge,
Ricard, 2 merk lands of Straid, 2 merk lands of Blare-
ene, 2 merk lands called [Dal]Leglis, Quhithill,
2 merk lands of Chang, Litill Merk (bar
Cumnock vic Are) held by him of dec Jamess Dunbar of Cumnok as superior now in crown's hands by
reason of nonentry at his dec [RSSRS/ii#1681]
— 12 mar 1538/9 letter to him fear of lands of Lefnoreis of gift of escheat of 52 yews, 52 lambs, profits
thereof, other goods owed by Joh Portar to Alexander Dunbar of Cumnok now pert to crown by reason
of escheat of sd Alexr convicted of deforcing Andr C officiar of Are, serjand of schirefdome of Are
[RSSRS/ii#2937]
— 17 may 1539 (royal charter 17 may 1539) precept of charter to him son, heir app of George Craufurd
de Lefnoreis in 2 merk lands of N. Garreve, 2 merk lands of Dalhannay, house, gardens occ by
Patrick Hamilton in Garclauch, ½ merk of 2 merk lands of N. Garclauch (bar Cumnock) which
pertained to Alexr Dunbar de Cumnok who sold them to Michael McCrony, Joh Huchisoun in Clokleny
for sums owed, assigned to sd Geo, Wm by them [RSSRS/ii#3027; RMS/iii#1973]
Courtesy of Stuart Clarkson
The New Cumnock Mural , at the Mary Morrison Memorial Garden
History of the Parish
of New Cumnock
by Robert Guthrie
Craufurd of
Lefnoreis

VI. George Craufurd of Lefnoreis
1537 : had a charter from the king of the two merk land of Nether Garraive , the two merk land of
Dalhannay, the house and yard, and half a merk land of Garcleuch on an apprising against Alexander
Dunbar of Cumnock.

George Craufurd, son of William Craufurd fiar of Lefnoreis
called of Lefnoreis 1557 {RMS/iv#1172]
m. pre 1549 [RMS/iv#327]
Margaret Creichtoun [RMS/iv#327]; de Richartoun, dau of Henry Creichtoun de
Richartoun [RMS/iv#325, index]
children: Isobel [hca/i.356]; William [RPCS/1st/i.261-3]; George [RSSRS/vii#2188]
natural children: Matthew [RPCS/1st/viii.644]; Hew [RPCS/1st/vi.639]
— 5 may 1546 lib resp entry: sheriff responds for 2d for duplicatn of blenchfarm of 4 merk lands of
Leffynnoris with tower, fortalice, 10s lands of Blakethill, 8 merk lands of Beax, piece of common
land of Terringyean extending to 40s lands called Knokdonis, Sloannistoun, also for £5 for duplicatn of
blenchfarm of 4 merk lands of Drumdow with manse (bal Kile Regis) reserving free tenement in 8
merk lands of Beax,
4 merk lands of Drumdow to Agnes Cr sp of dec Wm Cr of Leffynnoris parents,
sasine to him [RSRS/xviii.397-8]
— 6 jun 1549 royal grant to Margt Creichtoun in liferent, him of Lefnoris hereditarily in 2 merk lands
of Knokdonis, lands of Slowanis de Waird, lands of Dykes occ by Joh Cr, lands of Windyraw,
grainmill of Nith, 2 merk lands of Farding, lands of Auchingey, Dalleglis, Quhitehill,
Schang with annexes (vic Air) which sd Geo with consent of Alexr Nesbit of Bankheid curator
personally resigned to be held in blenchferm [RMS/iv#327]
— 3 mar 1552/3 lib resp entry: sehriff responds for £553 of farms of 4 merk lands of Leffynnores, 10s
lands of Blakethill, 8 merk lands of Beax etc in crown's hands 7 yrs sasine not recoved because he
was unable to hold sasine, sasine to him [RSRS/xviii.551]
— 24 nov 1554 lib resp entry: sehriff responds for farms of 4 merk lands of Leffynnores, 10s lands of
Blakethill, 8 merk lands of Beax etc in crown's hands 2 yrs sasine not recoved because he was
unable to hold sasine, sasine to him [RSRS/xviii.577]
— 21 apr 1557 royal confirmatn to him de Lefnoreis, Margt Creichtoun sp in 4 merk lands of
Drumdow, with houses etc (par Uchiltre), 2 merk lands of Cragman occ by Eliz Cr relict of Joh
Makirwaill (dom Lefnoreis, Kile-regis vic Air) which he resigned [RMS/iv#1172]

Isobella Craufurd, daughter of George Craufurd of Lefnoreis
m. contract post jan 1520/21 [ros#451]
William Reid, son of Andrew Reid in Thirdpart [ros#451]
— 30 jan 1520/21 instrument narrating that Wm Rede son, heir of dec Andr Rede in Thirdpart gave
sasine to her dau of George Craufurd of Laffinoris for marriage to be contracted between them in
liferent in 2 merk lands of Dalleglis, Quhithille according to charter of blenchfarm [ros#451]
— 11 jne 1523 instrument narrating that Wm Rede son, heir of dec Andr Rede in Thirdpart resigned
merk land of Fardinge in hands of Geo Cr of Laffinoris overlord which merk land Wm held in
security for dowry promised by him with her dau of sd Geo Cr because dowry pd as to portn for
which sd land was given as security [ros#659]

George Craufurd, son of George Craufurd of Lefnoreis
— 30 jan 1520/21 instrument narrating that he son of Geo Cr of Laffinoris bailie in terms of precept by
sd Geo elder passed to lands of Fardin, there gave sasine in 2 merk lands of Fardin (bar Cumnok
vic Are) according to charter to be made to Wm Rede son, heir of dec Andr Rede [ros#450]

Hew Craufurd, natural brother of William Craufurd of Leifnoreis
— 15 nov 1600 cautn by Wm Cathcart of Bardarroch for Allane Cathcart of Watterheid £1000
not to harm him brother natural of Wm Cr of Leifnoreis witness John Dunbar of Pollosche et al
[RPCS/1st/vi.639]
Courtesy of Stuart Clarkson

The property of Dalleagles now with Isobella Craufurd and her spouse William Reid, son of
Andrew Reid in Thirdpart,Ochiltree.

VII. William Craufurd of Lefnoreis
ca. 1560 :married to fifth daughter of Sir Matthew Campbell of Loudon.

William Craufurd, son of George Craufurd of Lefnoreis and Margaret Creichton
called younger of Lefnoreis 1575 [RPCS/1st/ii.464]; of Lefnoreis 1579 [RSSRS/vii#2188]; elder of
Lefnoreis 1608 [hca/i.356]
d. post 1608
m.1. c. 1560 [hca/i.356]
Isobel Campbell dau of Sir Matthew Campbell [hca/i.356]
children: George [hca/i.356]; Hugh [hca/i.356]; Matthew [hca/i.356]
m.2.
Jeane Houstoun dau of Patrick Houstoun of that Ilk [hca/i.356]
children: Patrick [IRS—Ayr/ Sec]
children: William [IRS—Ayr/ Sec]; Andrew [IRS—35]
— 1 oct 1575 him younger of Leifnoreis mentned [RPCS/1st/ii.464]
— 10 jan 1579/80 precept for confirmatn charter for charter to him of Lefnoreis, heirs male, w.f. Geo
Cr brother germ, heirs male in 20 merk lands of Drongan called threepenny lands of Scheild
Drongane, with tower etc and mill of Scheild (Kingis Kyle vic Air) by ???? to be held from crown
[RSSRS/vii#2188]

Matthew Craufurd, son of William Craufurd of Lefnoreis
— 20 apr 1523 instrument narrating that Andr C of Skeringtone gave sasine in 2 merk lands of
Skerintone to him brother german of Geo Cr of Leafinoris according to charter of blenchfarm to be
made to him [ros#651]

Patrick Craufurd, son of William Craufurd of Lefnoreis and Jeane Houstoun
— 1 jul 1605 him son of Wm Cr of Lefnoreis mentned in sasine [IRS—Ayr/ Sec]

William Craufurd, son of William Craufurd of Lefnoreis and Jeane Houstoun
— 12 sep 1603 him son of Wm Cr of Lefnoreis mentned in sasine [IRS—Ayr/ Sec]

Andrew Craufurd, son of William Craufurd of Lefnoreis
called ?in Dalleglen (ie Dallegles) 1602 [CC/v.158]
b. ?c. 1580 (guess)
children: ?Patrick (guess); William [IRS—Ayr/ 35]
Courtesy of Stuart Clarkson

The property of Dallegles now in the hands of Andrew Craufurd, youngest son of William Craufurd
of Lefnoreis and his second wife Jeane Houston,
VIII. Sir George Craufurd of Lefnoreis
married Mary Stewart, fifth daughter of Andrew, master of Ochiltree.

Sir George Craufurd, son of William Craufurd of Lefnoreis and Isobel Campbell
called fiar of Lefnoreis 1604 [IRS—Ayr/ Sec], 1608, 1612, 1613 [CC/v.28; Laing#1632;
hca/i.357]; younger of Lefnoreis c. 1600 [RPCS/1st/vi.799]; of Lefnoreis 1616, 1629 [hca/i.357;
CC/vi.224]
b. ?c. 1570 (guess)
d. post 1637
m.
Margaret Stewart [IRS—Ayr/Sec]; Margaret dau of Andrew Stewart 3rd Lord
Ochiltree/Margaret dau of Sir John Kennedy of Blairquhan [SP/vi.516-7]; Mary
Stewart, 5th dau of Andrew master of Ochiltree [hca/i.356]
— 20 nov 1604 her sp of Geo Cr fiar of Lefnoreis mentned in sasine [IRS—Ayr/
Sec]
children: William [hca/i.357]; Margaret [hca/i.357]
c. 1601 cautn by him younger of Lefnoreis for Isabell Kennedy Lady Stair, Jas Dalrumple her
son, Margt Dalrumple relict of dec Dav Kennedy of Boig, Wm Dalrumple son of Wm
Dalrumple elder at Pennyfodyeochmylne 500 merks each not to reset, intercommune woth Joh
Dalrumple of Stair during his rebelln [RPCS/1st/vi.799]
— 14 sep 1602 cautn by Patrick Hamilton of Bordland for him younger of Leifnoreis 300 merks
not to intercommune with Thos Kennedy of Drummurchy, accomplices during rebelln witn
Patrick Hamilton of Blakwod, Hew Cr nat brother of Wm Cr of Leifnoreis [RPCS/1st/vi.749]
— 6 may 1607 (sasine 8 jul 1608 reg 10 aug 1608) charter to Wm Campbell of Garralland, Kath
Campbell sp in 2 merk lands of Blaireine (bar Cumnock) by him fiar of Lefnoreis witn Matt Cr
(brother) [CC/v.28]
— 18 feb 1608 cautn by him fiar of Leifnoreis for Wm Cr of Tempilland not to reset George
Craufurd of Auchincroce
, accomplices under pain of King's letters dated 9 sep 1607, band
witn by Matt Cr brother [RPCS/1st/viii.644]; cautn by Wm Cr of Tempilland for him fiar of
Leifnoreis not to reset Geo Cr of Achincors, accomplices; band witn by Mr Matt Cr brother of him
principal [RPCS/1st/viii.645]
— 26 may 1610 (reg 23 jan 1611/12) bond by Mr Matt Cr brother of him fiar of Lefnoreis with
Wm Cr fiar of Templeland cautner to Thomas Campbell of Dalhannay, Patr C, Joh C his sons,
Chas Campbell of Horscleuch for 950 merks [CC/vi.127]
— 27 jne 1629 (reg 3 feb 1631) bond by him of Lefnoreis knight to Archd C brother of Laird of
Lawers for 168 merks Scots [CC/vi.224]
— 22 jul 1629 (reg 3 feb 1631) bond by him of Lefnoreis knight to Archd C brother of Laird of
Lawers for 53 merks Scots [CC/vi.224]
— 22 mar 1637 him of Lefnoreis knight mentned in sasine [IRS—Ayr/ 35]
— 15 aug 1637 him of Lefnoreis knight mentned in sasine [IRS—Ayr/ 35]
— ?8 feb 1653 him of Lefnoreis knight mentned in sasine [IRS—Ayr/ 35]

William Craufurd, son of Sir George Craufurd of Lefnoreis
called ?dec of Lefnories 1655 [RMS/x#460]
d. ?pre 1648 [RMS/x#460]
children: George [RMS/x#460]

Margaret Craufurd, daughter of Sir George Craufurd of Lefnoreis
m.John Campbell of Shankstoun [hca/i.357]

Courtesy of Stuart Clarkson.


IX. William Craufurd of Lefnoreis
Most likely the brother of Sir George. He had four sons, George (of Lefnoreis), Hugh (of
Templand), Matthew (of Drongan) to his first wife, and Patrick Craufurd to his second wife,Jeane
Houston (died in 1608).

Paterson's William IX. and William VII. are one and the same.

X. Sir George Craufurd of Lefnoreis
During the lifetime of his father, the elder Lefnoreis, the property had become greatly alienated,
and the remainder so much burdened that it had soon afterwards to be wholly parted with.

1622 :there is a charter to David Dunbar of Enterkin, of the four merk land of Beauchs (Beoch),
two merk land of Brunstoun (Brunston), which are part of the eight mark land of Beauchs, the
thirty shilling land of Lefnoreis, and the ten shilling land of Blackwoodhill, all on the resignation
of Sir George Craufurd of Lefnoreis.
1635, William, Earl of Dumfries, had a charter of the four
merk land of Lefnoreis, on the resignation of Sir George Craufurd of Lefnoreis, Mr. Mathew, his
brother, and William his eldest son. (He also had a daughter Margaret married to John Campbell
of Shankston). In
1654, James Creichtoun of Castlemains (New Cumnock) was retoured, as heir
to his father (Earl of Dumfries), in the four merk land of Lefnoreis.

Paterson's Sir George X. and Sir George VIII. are one and the same.


The Craufurds of Lefnoreis end with Sir George's resignation of the lands of Lefnoreis in 1635,
although he appears in the Sasine Register, as late as 8th February 1653, still styled 'of Lefnoreis'.