 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 desce ndants 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 marraige 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.
Thanks to James
Pringle Weavers for the following information
KERR: The Kerrs claim a Norman ancestry and emerge into Scottish history about the end of the 12th century as offspring of John Ker, the hunter of Swinhope, - since when the names Kerr, Ker, and Carr, have been numerous in the Borders and Lothians. Principally of two descents - of Ferniehurst and Cessford - tradition derives them respectivly from brothers Ralph and John, who settled near Jedburgh c.1330. Both houses were prominent in Border conflicts and great rivalry existed between them until they were united by marriage during the 17th century. The family division was apparent in the appointment of Sir Andrew of Ferniehurst as Warden of the Middle March in 1502, prior to James IV's death at Flodden, and of Sir Andrew Kerr of Cessford, a supporter of the English faction of Margaret Tudor and the Douglases, to the same office in 1515. The differences were further evidenced at Langside in 1568, when Sir Walter of Cessford was amongst those who opposed Queen Mary, while Ferniehurst remained loyal in her cause. In 1633, Ferniehurst's grandson, Robert, was created 1st Earl of Ancram, and by the marriage of his eldest son to the heiress of the earldom of Lothian (cr.1606 for Mark Ker, Lord Newbattle - a descendant of Cessford), the honours of Ancram and Lothian became united in the 4th Earl of Lothian. The Lothian title became a marquessate in 1701. In 1616, Robert Ker, 1st Lord Roxburgh, was created Earl of Roxburghe and in 1707, as reward for supporting the Union of the Parliaments, this Cessford line, descended from John Kerr of Altonburn (c.1357), had their earldom raised to a dukedom. In 1805, Sir James Innes of that Ilk inherited as Duke of Roxburghe, and Major-General Walter Kerr of Littledean became heir-male of the house of Cessford. The 'Innes-Ker' Roxburghe family lineally represents the Chiefship of Innes, but are debarred from that honour by their continued use of the double surname.
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