William Comyn Earl of Buchan ¹

  General Notes:

WILLIAM Comyn (-1233). The proofs relating to the claim to the Scottish throne in 1291 made by "dñi Johannis Comyn" name "Hextilde" as daughter and heiress of "Gothrik", son of "Dovenald filius Duncani filii Erici", and "Willelmo" as her son and heir. He expanded the family's landed interests with acquisitions around Glasgow. The 1167/68 Pipe Roll records "Williuam Cumin" in "Hemelhampsteda [under Berchamsteda]". "…Willelmo Cumyn…" subscribed the undated charter under which "Comes David frater regis Scottorum" founded Lindores Abbey. "…Willelmo Cuming…" subscribed the charter dated 1 Jul (no year) under which William King of Scotland donated "totam terram de Strathylaf" to Kinloss. "…Com. Patricio, Will Cumin, Waltero de Lindes, Rog fil Henr……" witnessed the undated charter under which "David marescall dñi regis Scott" donated "piscarias meas de Thveda" to Melrose abbey. The names of the witnesses suggest that the document should be dated to the late 12th century. He was appointed Sheriff of Forfar and in [1205] Justiciar of Scotia. "Umfridus de Berkel" donated "terram de Balfeth" to Aberbrothoc by undated charter witnessed by "…Will Cumyn…Ric fil Will Cumyn…". He succeeded as Earl of Buchan, de iure uxoris. "Willelmus Cumin comes de Buchan" donated revenue from property in "Inuermer" to St Andrew's priory, with the consent of "Margerie uxoris nostre", by undated charter. "Wills Cumyn comes et Margar sponsa sua comitissa de Buchan" donated "ecclesiam de Buthelny" to Aberbrothoc by undated charter. "…Willelmo Cumyn comite de Buchan justiciar Scotie…Waltero Cumin…" subscribed the charter dated 12 Feb 1236 under which Alexander II King of Scotland confirmed donations to Kinloss. The Liber Pluscardensis records the death in 1233 of "Willelmus Cumyn comes de Buchane" who founded "ecclesiam de Deer". The Liber Vitæ of Durham lists (in order) "Hextild, Willelmus, Odenellus, Simon, Ricardus Cumin…".

m firstly (1200 or after) SARAH, daughter and co-heiress of ROBERT FitzHugh [Giffard] & his wife ---. "Willelmus Cumin" paid a fine for the marriage of "juniore filia Rob fil Hug" and part of her inheritance in Northamptonshire, dated 1200. The primary source which confirms her name has not yet been identified.

m secondly (1210 or before) [as her second husband,] MARGARET Ctss of Buchan, daughter of FERGUS Earl of Buchan & his wife --- (-[8 Apr 1242/1244]). "Margareta comitissa de Buchan…in…viduitatis mee" donated property to Aberbrothoc, as "comes Fergus pater meus" had done, by undated charter. The Complete Peerage dates this charter to "before 1199" and uses this as the basis for her supposed first marriage. "Wills Cumyn comes et Margar sponsa sua comitissa de Buchan" donated "ecclesiam de Buthelny" to Aberbrothoc by undated charter. "Willelmus Cumin comes de Buchan" donated revenue from property in "Inuermer" to St Andrew's priory, with the consent of "Margerie uxoris nostre", by undated charter. "Margeria comitissa de Buchan" donated revenue from property in "Inuermer" to St Andrew's priory by undated charter, presumably dated to after her husband's death as he is not named in the document, witnessed by "…Roberto Cumyn…".

William & his first wife had [six] children: Richard, Walter, [Jordan], Jean, [John] and David.

William & his second wife had six children: Alexander, William, Fergus, Idonea, Agnes and Elizabeth. ¹

William married Sarah Giffard about 1200.¹ (Sarah Giffard died before 1210 ¹.)

William next married Margaret of Buchan Countess of Buchan, daughter of Fergus of Buchan Earl of Buchan and Unknown, before 1211.¹ (Margaret of Buchan Countess of Buchan died between 8 Apr 1242 and 1244 ¹.)