A collection of historical and genalogical records
Drysdale - a Douglas sept
Information
Drysdale is considered a sept of the Douglas clan, but it is quite likely that this was a separate family which existed previous to when the three Douglas brothers adopted the Drysdale name. A sept is a family that can be related to a clan or larger family for various reasons. Usually this came about either through marriage or by a small family seeking protection from a larger and more powerful neighbour.
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Story of the creation of the Drysdale family
The following is said to tell the story of the creation of the Drysdale family, it was actually part of the Black Douglas clan which remained in Scotland, following their failed attempt against the Scots crown in 1455. [Earlier references to Drysdale, or Dryfesdale can be found]
"On the Twentieth Day of May, One Thousand Five Hundred and Three Years
We, Thomas, William, and James Douglass, sons of the departed Thomas Douglass, of Brushwood Haugh, in the parish of Drysdale, and Shire of Dumfries, left our native place for the reason here assigned, viz:- Defending our just and lawful rights against our unjust neighbour, Johnston of Greenstonhill, who, being determined to bring water to his mill through our property, and having obtained leave of his friend, the King, began his operations on Monday, the 16th of May, We prevented him by force.
The next day he brought twenty of his vassels to carry on the work. We with two friends and three servants, (eight in all,) attacked Johnston with his twenty, and, in the contest, fourteen of his men were killed, along with their base leader. A report of these proceedings was carried to the King, and we were obliged to fly, (the tocsin being sounded).
We took shelter under the shadow of the Ochil Hills, in a lonely valley on the river Devon. After having lived there a full two years, we returned home in disguise, but found all our property in the possession of Johnston's friends, and a great reward offered for our lives. We, having purchased a small spot, called the Haugh of Dollar, and changed our names to the name of our Parish, are clearly in mind to spend the residue of our days under the ope of the Ochils, and wish the name of Drysdale to flourish in the lonely valley. The King passed through this with his Court on the 12th of June, 1506, going from Stirling to Falkland - dined on Halliday's green. (an eastern neighbour;) but we were not recognised."
The above story has been preserved among the desendants of Thomas, William, and James Douglass, now known by the name of Drysdale, and copied at several times by different individuals - first, by Simon Drysdale of the Haugh of Dollar, in the year 1620; by Robert Drysdale of Tillicoultry, in 1708; by John Drysdale, Dunfermline, in 1835; by James Drysdale, Dumfermline, in 1838; by John Montrose Drysdale, in 1841; by George Drysdale, Aberdeen, in 1845; by David Drysdale, Glasgow, in 1857; by John Harrower Drysdale, Aylmer, Ontario, Canada, in 1920; and now by Nicholas Edwin Kontzie (great-great-grandson of Jane Drysdale), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in 2000.
Discussion Forum
The origins of the surname Drysdale
Started by Ronald Drysdale. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale May 4. 28 Replies 2 Likes
In a previous post I gave some background information on the Barony and lands of Dryfesdale:…Continue
Tags: Moffat, Johnston, Maxwell, Gresson, Kirkpatrick
Scots living in Holland in 17th & 18th Centuries
Started by Ronald Drysdale. Last reply by Russell Lynn Drysdale Apr 11. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scots_International_ChurchThe Scots International Church or the Scottish Church (Dutch:…Continue
Tags: Drysdale, Netherlands, Douglas, Rotterdam, church
The Drysdales of Dollar
Started by Ronald Drysdale. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale Mar 29. 18 Replies 1 Like
The 1998 publication - 'History of Dollar' contains a lot of information concerning early Drysdale feuars & tenants in Dollar i.e. residents of Dollar prior to 1605 & thereafter:…Continue
Tags: Lag, Dumfries, Dollar, Douglas, Gregorsoune
Early Douglas and Drysdale migrants to South Africa
Started by Ronald Drysdale. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale Oct 26, 2024. 3 Replies 1 Like
Hi all,Following on from William Douglas's recent comment:…Continue
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Comment by Russell Lynn Drysdale on September 17, 2014 at 0:06
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The origins of the Drysdale family predate this 1503 document , the substance of the record from 1503 I have no reason to doubt yet the presentation as such [ from above ] ''STORY OF THE CREATION OF THE DRYSDALE FAMILY'' & ''The following tells the story of the creation of the Drysdale family '' are misleading .
Gawaine and Johne Dryfesdale and four others were recorded in january 1488 in connection with charges that amount to treason .
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Comment by William Douglas on September 10, 2014 at 15:48
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I have located the 'missing' version of the origins of the Drysdale family document. Sadly, nothing startlingly new there. This version was transcribed by John Harrower Drysdale, Aylmer, Ontario, Canada, in 1920.
http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/Septs/drysdale.htmlAs a quid pro quo to the donor, I promised to seek out good Drysdale research websites. Can anyone help?
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Comment by Allan Laird on July 9, 2014 at 17:55
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I am trying to find out more about my G-Grandfather's Family. His name was Dugald Drysdale. He was born in Scotland and emigrated to Australia via India. I have some information that suggests he grew up on Islay but another story goes he was apprenticed as a cabin boy at the age of nine. It is also suggested that he had a brother, name unknown (possibly Neil) and maybe a sister (possibly Catherine). He was born about 1854. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Australian links between Douglas and Drysdale can be found in Elizabeth Douglass' scrapbook, ca.1855-ca.1890
She may be the wife of Alfred Douglass, who built Corio Villa. It would be good to get confirmation of that - and access to the photographs.
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I found this gravestone in St. Mary the Virgin Parish Churchyard on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, amongst a group of Douglas graves.
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This article: 'The Drysdale Family and Homeopathy' has some interesting links.
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Yes, I did not understand the spelling thing when I first read it...
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A slightly different version - with a different list of names below:
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"Dunfermline Press"
8 March, 1930
COLLIERY OFFICIALSPIT ACCIDENT. - While at work in the Valleyfield Colliery on Tuesday, Andrew Drysdale, miner, met with a serious accident through a piece of coal falling upon him. He was attended to by Dr Cook, Newmills, after which he was conveyed to Dunfermline and West Fife Hospital suffering from a broken arm and other injuries.
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St Cuthbert's Parish Churchyard, Edinburgh.
Monument near East railing facing the east.
Sacred to the memory of Alexander Hutton, writer, Edinburgh,
an only child. As a son dutiful and affectionate, in his studies at the
University diligent and successful: in business, active, assiduous and
correct, died 18th April 1820, aged 17 years ; also of Mrs. Margaret
Drysdale, his mother, who died 26th May 1840, aged 80 years, wife of
Alexander Hutton, Portsburgh.Upright Monument.
Erected to the memory of William Drysdale, Junior, son to William
Drysdale, Turf Coffee House, Edinburgh, died 4th November 1792,
aged 30 years, much regretted by his friends and acquaintances.
© 2025 Created by William Douglas.
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