Draft:Baron of Cononsyth
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| Barony of Cononsyth | |
|---|---|
| Creation date | 1393[1] |
| Creation | Baronage of Scotland |
| Created by | Robert III |
| First holder | John de Conon[1] |
| Present holder | Phillip Afiléon, Baron of Cononsyth[2] |
| Status | extant |
| Seat(s) | Former Cononsyth Estate, Angus, Scotland |
Baron of Cononsyth is a title in the Baronage of Scotland. The barony encompasses lands around the historic Cononsyth estate in Angus, and originally formed part of the parish of Inverkeilor. In 1609, the lands were incorporated into the newly erected parish of Carmyllie.[4]
The barony has historically been held by a number of prominent Scottish families:
Tulloes – The earliest documented baronial holders, with William Tulloes named in a 1493 charter.[5]
Ogilvys – The Ogilvy family, hereditary sheriffs of Angus, held feudal superiority over the lands in the 15th and 16th centuries.[6]
Gardynes – By the 16th century, the Gardyne family were landholders in Cononsyth and expanded the estate through acquisition.
Raits – The Rait family held the barony from the 17th through 19th centuries, producing clergymen, scholars, and notable figures tied to Cononsyth.
History
[edit]Origins
[edit]The precise origins of the Barony of Cononsyth remain a subject of debate among historians and genealogists. Some sources suggest the barony was created by Crown charter in 1393 for a nobleman named John de Conon, during the reign of King Robert III.[7] This claim is supported by genealogical research but remains unconfirmed by surviving legal documents.
The first documented baronial holder is William Tulloes, recorded in a 1493 charter as Baron of Cononsyth.[8]
An even earlier reference to the lands of Cononsyth appears in a 1393 convention involving Abbot John Gedy of Arbroath and the Burgesses of Carmylie-Cononsyth, indicating the area's ecclesiastical and feudal importance at the close of the 14th century.[9]
Some etymological theories propose that the name “Cononsyth” derives from the Saxon word Koning, meaning “king,” possibly hinting at royal ownership or authority over the area in early medieval times.[7]
Transition of Ownership
[edit]In 1493, Archibald Douglas, 5th Earl of Angus granted the lands of Cononsyth to William Tulloes.[10] The Gardyne family acquired the estate shortly thereafter, with Walter Gardyne receiving sasine around 1478. The Ogilvys obtained the lands in the late 16th century, with James Ogilvy formally entering the lands in 1594.[10]
In 1608, James Ogilvy conveyed Cononsyth to Robert Rait, initiating the Rait family’s association with the barony. The Raits, originally from Hallgreen in Kincardineshire, retained the estate through successive generations, including Rev. William Rait (1609–1678).[7]
In 1751, David Skinner, a merchant of Montrose, acquired Cononsyth along with Parkoning and Ruives.[11] Later, the estate passed through the Ogilvy and Brown families before William Smart purchased it circa 1842.
In the 20th century, John Ewan, a Dundee merchant and provost, became the baron. After his death, the estate was managed by the Cononsyth Trust until its purchase by Jack Smart in 1976. Records indicate that the barony has been held by Phillip Afiléon since 2024.[12]
Barons of Cononsyth
[edit]Below is a chronology of the barony’s holders:
| No. | Name | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | John de Conon | 1393 |
| 1 | William Tulloes | c.1493 |
| 2 | Walter Gardyne | c.1478–1502 |
| 3 | David Gardyne | c.1502–1511 |
| 4 | Robert Gardyne | c.1538–1561 |
| 5 | George Gardyne | c.1560–1582 |
| 6 | John Ogilvy | c.1583–1594 |
| 7 | James Ogilvy | c.1594–1608 |
| 8 | Robert Rait | c.1608–1609 |
| 9 | Rev. William Rait | c.1609–1639 |
| 10 | Rev. William Rait | c.1641–1678 |
| 11 | Francis Rait | c.1682–1703 |
| 12 | David Raitt | c.1703–1722 |
| 13 | James Raitt | 1722–1750 |
| 14 | David Skinner Jr. | 1751–1783 |
| 15 | James Ogilvy | c.1783–1799 |
| 16 | James Brown | c.1800–1807 |
| 17 | Andrew Brown | c.1808–1823 |
| 18 | James Brown Jr. | c.1821–1826 |
| 19 | John Brown | c.1824–1831 |
| 20 | William Brown | c.1831–1843 |
| 21 | William Smart | c.1842–1859 |
| 22 | Alexander Smart | c.1859–1877 |
| 23 | Robert Smart | c.1876–1898 |
| 23 | John Ewan | c.1899–1923 |
| 25 | Ewan Heir | c.1923–1931 |
| 26 | Cononsyth Trust | c.1931–1976 |
| 27 | Jack Smart | c.1976–2024 |
| 28 | Phillip Afiléon | c.2024–present |
Architecture
[edit]The mansion house of Cononsyth is a two-storey harled building with a slate roof. It features pilastered corners and a Roman-Doric porch. The property enjoys elevated views of the surrounding countryside and the North Sea. Farm buildings lie to the west, with access gates located southeast of the main road.[13]
Genealogical Importance
[edit]The Raits of Cononsyth were an influential family in 17th–18th century Angus. David Rait, baptized in 1690 at Grange of Conon, married Jean Leslie around 1720, producing ten children between 1721 and 1747. The family, largely consisting of crofters, farmers, and weavers, lived in areas including East Grange of Conon and Mill of Conon.[7]
Modern Status
[edit]Following the abolition of feudalism by the Scottish Parliament in law by 2004, the barony of Balmachreuchie was separated from the associated lands with special protection in Scots law for the title.
It ceased to be a feudal title or feudal barony, as feudalism was abolished,[14] becoming a non-territorial personal title and dignity within the Baronage of Scotland.
References
[edit]- ^ a b The Baronage of Scotland: Containing an Historical and Genealogical Account of the Gentry of that Kingdom. Bell & Bradfute et al. 1798. p. 343.
- ^ "Barony of Cononsyth: A Historical Overview". Barony of Cononsyth. Retrieved 11 May 2025.
- ^ Goldstraw, Martin S. J. (2011). Burke's Peerage & Gentry International Register of Arms, Volume 1. Burke's Peerage & Gentry. p. 1. ISBN 9780956815712.
- ^ Warden, Alexander J. (1885). Angus or Forfarshire: The Land and People, Descriptive and Historical. Vol. 3. Dundee: C. Alexander. p. 413.
- ^ Warden, Alexander J. (1885). Angus or Forfarshire: The Land and People. Vol. 3. p. 413.
- ^ Rogers, Charles (1882). History of the Chapel Royal of Scotland. Grampian Club. p. 242.
- ^ a b c d "Raitts of Conon and Colliston". The Raitt Stuff. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ Warden, Alexander J. (1885). Angus or Forfarshire: The Land and People. Vol. 3. p. 413.
- ^ Jervise, Andrew (1861). Memorials of Angus and the Mearns. Edmonston and Douglas. p. 312.
- ^ a b "Raits of Cononsyth, Pitforthie and Inverkeilor - Hallgreen Line". The Raitt Stuff. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ "Carmyllie Parish, Angus: records for genealogists". Ancestor Abel. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ "Notice of Barony of Cononsyth". The London Gazette. HMSO. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ "Angus HER - NO54NE0091 - CONONSYTH". Aberdeenshire Council Historic Environment Record. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
- ^ "Explanatory Notes to Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act 2000". www.legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 2024-12-22. Retrieved 2024-12-31.
External Links
[edit]- Raitts of Conon and Colliston – The Raitt Stuff
- Hallgreen Line of the Raits – The Raitt Stuff
- Inverkeilor Parish – Ancestor Abel
- Carmyllie Parish – Ancestor Abel
- Angus HER Record for Cononsyth