The name
Home is of territorial origin deriving from the lands of Home in Berwickshire. These lands
were acquired through Ada, daughter of Patrick, fifth Earl of Dunbar, by his wife Ada,
natural daughter of William the Lion. Ada married Courtenay and he obtained those lands
from her father. Courtenay died without issue and she then married her cousin William, who
took her name. Sir Thomas de Home, in the reign of Robert III married Nichola Pepdie
heiress of Dunglass and hence acquired those lands in Berwickshire. He had three sons;
Alexander who carried the principal name, David the first of Wedderburn, ancestor of the
Earls of Marchmont and Patrick Home of Rathburn. Alexander Home was created Lord Home in
1473. Alexander, 6th Lord Home was a great favourite of King James I of England and VI of
Scotland, and was created 1st Earl of Home and Dunglass in 1605. Through marriage to the
heiress of the Douglas fortunes the family acquired the lands of Douglas, Bothwell and
others in Angus. However the chief of Home could not also be the chief of the Douglases,
hence in 1875 the 11th Earl was created Baron Douglas. The seat of the Earls of Home is at
the Hirsel at Coldstream Berwickshire where the 14th Earl lives. In 1963 he
renounced his
title in order to become the British Prime Minister, being returned later to the House of
Lords as Lord Home of the Hirsel. |
