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The Napiers have a long and ancient history and are descended, through the Earls of Lennox, from the Celtic royal families of Scotland and Ireland. One suggested derivation of the name is from the officer of the royal household who was in charge of linen, the ‘naperer’. However, there is no evidence to suggest that this title was much used in Scotland, and in common with many families, a more stirring and poetic origin of the name is offered. One of the knights of the Earl of Lennox, possibly a younger son, distinguished himself in battle during the reign of William the Lion. After the victory, the king singled out the young knight praising his valour which he said had ‘nae peer’. The earliest certain reference to the name appears in a charter of Malcolm, Earl of Lennox, sometime prior to 1290, which granted lands at Kilmahew in Dunbartonshire to John de Naper. The Napiers were to hold lands at Kilmahew for eighteen generations, until the estate was sold in 1820. The most famous of the name is the seventh Laird ofMerchiston, John Napier, who developed the system of logarithms. His son, Archibald, who succeeded to Merchiston in 1617, accompanied James VI when he travelled to England to claim his new throne, and was sworn a Member of the Privy Council in 1615. He became a judge and was Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland from 1623 to 1624. Archibald, third Lord Napier, petitioned the Crown for a new patent to the barony, extending the succession to heirs female, including his sisters. The title passed to the only child of his eldest sister, Sir Thomas Nicholson of Carnock, and then to his aunt, Margaret Napier, wife of John Brisbane, Secretary to the Admiralty in the reign of Charles II. Baroness Napier was succeeded by her grandson, Francis Scott, who became the sixth Baron and adopted the name and arms of Napier. The present chief, fourteenth Lord Napier and fifth of Ettrick, is Comptroller to the Household, and Private Secretary to HRH The Princess Margaret.
Branches: Napier of Merchiston
Motto: Sans tache (French : Without stain)
Names associated with the clan: MacAlowne Naiper Napare Napeir Naper Napier Napper Neaper Nepare Neper |
