Stewart-Murray family, Dukes of Atholl

The Murray family was settled at Tullibardine (Perthshire) in the 13th century and extended its Perthshire estates in the later middle ages, acquiring property at Easter Gask, Polgour and elsewhere. John Murray (d. 1613), created Earl of Tullibardine in 1606, was granted Balquhidder (Perthshire) in 1587. The 2nd Earl (d. 1627), married a daughter and co-heir of John Stewart, 5th Earl of Atholl (d. 1595). Their son John Murray (d. 1642) was created Earl of Atholl in 1629 and secured a royal grant of the Perthshire estates of the earldom of Atholl, centred on Blair Atholl and Dunkeld, the Balvenie (Banffshire) property of the 5th Earl of Atholl having been sold in 1610. The earldom and estates of Tullibardine, however, were settled on a brother of the 2nd Earl of Tullibardine. They were subsequently inherited on the 4th Earl’s death in 1670 by his cousin John Murray, 2nd Earl of Atholl (d. 1703), created Marquess of Atholl in 1676, whose son the second Marquess (d. 1724) was promoted Duke of Atholl in 1703.

The 2nd Duke inherited the 10th Earl of Derby’s estates in the Isle of Man, together with the sovereignty of the island and the barony of Strange (see Stanley, Earls of Derby). On his death in 1764 he was succeeded as 3rd Duke by his nephew John Murray (d. 1774), the son of the Jacobite Lord George Murray (d. 1760), who owned property at Glencarse and Strowan (Perthshire). In 1765 the 3rd Duke alienated the sovereignty of Man to the Crown, investing the proceeds in further Perthshire property. The remaining Isle of Man possessions were sold by his son the 4th Duke (d. 1830) shortly before his death. The Tullibardine estate was exchanged by the 4th Duke for Balnaguard, a property of the Drummond of Strathallan family near Dunkeld. The 7th Duke, who succeeded in 1864, adopted the surname Stewart-Murray. Lord William Murray (d. 1726), younger son of the 1st Marquess, was granted the Jacobite title of Earl of Nairn and Viscount Stanley, having acquired Mukkersy (Perthshire) by marriage with the Nairn family. His son and heir John, Lord Nairn, was attainted in 1746. General Lord John Murray (1711-87), a younger son of the first Duke, acquired the Banner Cross (Derbyshire) estate through marriage. His daughter and heir married Lt-General William Foxlowe (d. 1818), who took the surname Murray. From him the estate passed to his sister, who had married William Bagshawe in 1798, and thence to their descendants.

Estates in 1883: Perthshire 201,640 acres worth £42,030 a year.