My Maternal 20th. Great Scottish Grandfather, Sir John Keith, Marischal of Scotland

 

Name: Sir John Keith, Marischal (Marshal) of Scotland Birth: 1218 in Humbie, Haddingtonshire, Scotland Married: before 1236 in Humbie, Haddingtonshire, Scotland to Margaret Comyn Children: (5) William Keith, 8th. Marischal of Scotland 1236–1293 • G62J-4KT​​ Robert Keith II 1238–1343 • GXGH-4H8 Edward Keith Richard Keith Philip Keith, Rector of Biggar Death: before 1266 in Humbie, Haddingtonshire, Scotland Burial: before 1266 in Humbie, Haddingtonshire, Scotland Brief Life History of John When Sir John Keith Marichal of Scotland was born in 1218, in Humbie, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, his father, Hervey de Keith, was 31 and his mother, Margaret Douglas, was 33. He married Margaret Comyn before 1236, in Scotland. They were the parents of at least 2 sons. He died before 1266, in his hometown, at the age of 47, and was buried in Humbie, Haddingtonshire, Scotland. Scottish: habitational name from the lands of Keith in East Lothian. The place name is derived from British Celtic cait- ‘wood’. In the 17th century numerous bearers of this name settled in Ulster. Biography John (Keith) de Keith is a member of Clan Keith. Sir John de Keith, who, about the date mentioned was in possession of both the lands and office. Between the years 1198 and 1234, his name appears as a witness to a grant to the Hospital of Soltre. He confirmed to the monks of Kelso the grants of his predecessors, with the addition of some lands within the manor of Keith, and about the year 1250, he confirmed to the Hospital of Soltre some lands in the district of Johnston, near Keith. He died before the year 1266. He is said to have married Margaret Comyn, who may have been the daughter of William, Earl of Buchan. In the period of transition from legend to records there is usually some confusion and inconsistency. Accordingly, the lists of the names of the early Great Marischals of Scotland show some discrepancies. Hervey de Keith was Great Marischal of Scotland in the reign of William the Lion. He witnessed several charters between 1189 and 1195 and died before 1196. He was succeeded by his grandson, Sir Philip Keith, Great Marischal of Scotland. He died before 1219 and was succeeded by his son, Sir Hervey. On the 15th of July 1220, he officiated as Marischal of Scotland at the marriage of Alexander II. to Joan of England, at York. He died before 1250, and was succeeded by his son, Sir John Keith, Great Marischal of Scotland. As Marshal, he witnessed a charter of Alexander II. He married a daughter of Alexander, Earl of Buchan, and had issue. He was succeeded by his son, Sir Robert, Great Marischal of Scotland. Before the end of the thirteenth century, the Keiths had become numerous in Scotland, and a discrepancy in the family succession appears. In 1294, Sir Robert Keith, Great Marischal of Scotland, received a charter from King John. He was a man of great energy and ability and took an active part in the affairs of the nation and the War of Independence. He joined Robert Bruce and fought in the battle of Inverurie, in which he greatly distinguished himself. Shortly after this event, he received a grant of lands in Aberdeen-shire, including the seat called "Hall Forest" in the parish of Kintore. Occupation: Marischal of Scotland Sir John de Keith, Marischal of Scotland (died c.1266), was an Scottish noble. He was a son of Hervey de Keith (died 1249) and Margaret de Douglas.

Between the years 1198 and 1234 his name appears as witness to a grant to the Hospital of Soltre. He confirmed to the monks of Kelso the grants of his predecessors, with the addition of some lands within the manor of Keith, and about the year 1250 he confirmed to the Hospital of Soltre some lands in the district of Johnston, near Keith. 

 John inherited the position of Marischal of Scotland in 1249, which was charged with the safety of the king's person within Parliament and was also custodian of the royal regalia. Marriage and issue John married Margaret Comyn, daughter of William Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, Justiciar of Scotland and Marjory, Countess of Buchan, they are known to have had the following issue: 1.) William Keith (died c.1290), married Barbara Seton, had issue. 2.) Robert Keith (died 1343), married Joanna Galbraith, had issue. 3.) Edward Keith 4.) Richard Keith 5.) Philip Keith, Rector of Biggar.