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The Kerrs are
traditionally said to be of Anglo-Norman descent settling in the Scottish Borders in the
14th century, however the first of the name appears to be John Ker hunter of Swinhope. The
two main rival branches of the Kerrs descended from two brothers, Ralph and John who were
living near Jedburgh in the 14th century; the Kers of Ferniehurst were descended from the
eldest and the Kerrs of Cessford from John. Although the two families were constantly in
bitter conflict the descendants of both these houses were appointed Wardens of the Middle
Marches; Sir Andrew of Ferniehurst in 1502 and Sir Andrew of Cessford after the Battle of
Flodden. The Kerrs continued to oppose one another during the 16th century and on the
death of James IV, when his widow Margaret Tudor remarried the Douglas Earl of Angus, the
Kerrs of Cessford supported the English Queen-mother and the Kers of Ferniehurst the young
King, James V. Cessford was forced to flee to England when Angus was exiled only to ret
urn on the death of James V in 1542 when Sir John Kerr of Ferniehurst lost his castle. The
castle was recaptured in 1549 and the English who had repeatedly raped the Kerr women,
rather than being killed, were captured and horribly tortured. The rivalry continued when
Sir Thomas of Ferniehurst fought for Mary Queen of Scots at Langside and Sir Walter
Cessford on the side of James VI. The feud was resolved on the political level by the
Union of the Crown and by the marriage of Anne Kerr of Cessford to William Kerr of
Ferniehurst. From this couple descend the Earls and Marquesses of Lothian. Sir Robert
Cessford, son of Sir Walter mentioned above was created Lord Roxburgh in 1637. By marraige
to the heiress of the Earl of Roxburgh, Sir William Drummond became 2nd Earl of Roxburgh
and assumed the name of Kerr. His descendant, John, 5th Earl was created Duke of Roxburgh.
Following the failure of the line with the death of John, 3rd Duke of Roxburgh the title
passed to Sir James Innes of that Ilk who was 25t h Chief of the Innes who adopted the
name of Kerr. The chief of the Clan Kerr is the Marquess of Lothian and the Duke of
Roxburgh is the Chief of the Innes.
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