Duke of Atholl, named after Atholl in Scotland, is a title in the Peerage of Scotland held by the head of Clan Murray. It was created by Queen Anne in 1703 for John Murray, 2nd Marquess of Atholl, with a special remainder to the heir male of his father, the 1st Marquess.

, there were twelve subsidiary titles attached to the dukedom: Lord Murray of Tullibardine (1604), Lord Murray, Gask and Balquhidder (1628), Lord Murray, Balvany and Gask (1676), Lord Murray, Balvenie and Gask, in the County of Perth (1703), Viscount of Balquhidder (1676), Viscount of Balquhidder, Glenalmond and Glenlyon, in the County of Perth (1703), Earl of Atholl (1629), Earl of Tullibardine (1628), Earl of Tullibardine (1676), Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle, in the County of Perth (1703), Marquess of Atholl (1676) and Marquess of Tullibardine, in the County of Perth (1703). These titles are also in the Peerage of Scotland. The dukes have also previously held the following titles: Baron Strange (Peerage of England 1628) between 1736 and 1764 and 1805 and 1957; Baron Murray, of Stanley in the County of Gloucester, and Earl Strange (Peerage of Great Britain 1786) between 1786 and 1957, Baron Glenlyon, of Glenlyon in the County of Perth (Peerage of the United Kingdom 1821) between 1846 and 1957 and Baron Percy (Peerage of Great Britain 1722) between 1865 and 1957. From 1786 to 1957, the Dukes of Atholl sat in the House of Lords as Earl Strange.

Other family members

thumb|left|200px|Lord Mungo Murray (Am Morair Mungo Moireach),1668-1700 wearing a belted plaid about 1680. Son of 1st Marquess of Atholl.

thumb|180px|[[Lord George Murray (general)|Lt-Gen Lord George Murray.]]

Mungo Murray, second son of the first Earl of Tullibardine of the first creation, succeeded as second Viscount of Stormont according to a special remainder in 1631, but died childless in 1642. Lord Charles Murray, second son of the first Marquess, was created Earl of Dunmore in 1686. Lord James Murray, third son of the first Marquess, was Member of Parliament for Perthshire. Lord William Murray, fourth son of the first Marquess, succeeded his father-in-law as Lord Nairne in 1683 but was attainted for taking part in the Jacobite Rising of 1715. Lord George Murray, fifth son of the first Duke and father of the third Duke, was a prominent Jacobite general. He was also the father of James Murray, a soldier and politician, and George Murray, a naval commander and politician. Lord John Murray, eighth son of the first Duke (and the eldest by his second wife), was a soldier and politician. Lord George Murray, second son of the third Duke, was Bishop of St David's. His eldest son George Murray was Bishop of Rochester. His fourth son Sir Herbert Harley Murray was Governor of Newfoundland. The actor Stephen Murray and diplomat Sir Ralph Murray were the grandsons of the Rev. Francis William Murray, son of George Murray, Bishop of Rochester. Comedian and prospective parliamentary candidate Al Murray is the grandson of former British Ambassador Sir Ralph Hay Murray.

James Arthur Murray (1790–1860), only son of Lord William Murray, third son of the third Duke, was a vice admiral in the Royal Navy. Lord Charles Murray-Aynsley, fifth son of the third Duke, was a clergyman. His son John Murray-Aynsley was the father of 1) Charles Murray-Aynsley (1821–1901), a vice-admiral in the Royal Navy; 2) George Herbert Murray-Aynsley (1826–1887), a major general in the Madras Army, and 3) Hugh Murray-Aynsley, a New Zealand politician. Sir George Murray, son of the Rev. George Edward Murray, son of George Murray, Bishop of Rochester, was a civil servant. His son Sir Evelyn Murray was secretary to the general post office between 1914 and 1934. Lord James Murray, second son of the fourth Duke, was a soldier and politician and was created Baron Glenlyon in 1821. Anne, Duchess of Atholl, VA, wife of the sixth Duke, was Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria. Dame Kitty Stewart-Murray, DBE, MP, wife of the eighth Duke, was Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education from 1924 to 1929, the first woman to serve in a Conservative and Unionist government.

Traditional residence and military command

The Dukes of Atholl's traditional residence is Blair Castle, though the family has owned several other residences and castles in the past, notably Huntingtower Castle, Balvenie Castle, Tullibardine Castle and Dunkeld House (the latter two demolished).

The traditional burial place of the Dukes of Atholl is the Family Burial Ground (photo) next to the ruins of St Bride's Kirk in the grounds of Blair Castle. The ruin stands on a mound a little to the north-east of the castle, where a church has existed since at least 1134. St Bride's was the village church of Old Blair but fell into disuse after 1823 when the estate village was relocated to its current location.

The holder of the dukedom of Atholl also commands the only legal private army in Europe, the Atholl Highlanders, which is headquartered at Blair Castle.

London residences

In the mid-1820s the London residence of John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl was No. 30 Great College Street; by 1827 the Duke had taken up residence at 13 St James's Square. Following his death in 1830 the house was sold by his executors for £17,500 in 1836, after which it became the premises of the Windham Club.

The London residence of John Stewart-Murray, 7th Duke of Atholl was No. 84 Eaton Place, Belgravia from c. 1876 until his death in 1917. His son and successor John Stewart-Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl continued to maintain the house as his London residence until late 1928. By November of the same year the 8th Duke and Duchess had taken No. 98 Elm Park Gardens as their London residence, which they retained until c. 1939.

Earls of Tullibardine; first creation (1606)

thumb|300px|[[Blair Castle, Perthshire]]

  • John Murray, 1st Earl of Tullibardine (died 1609)
  • William Murray, 2nd Earl of Tullibardine (c. 1574–1626) (eldest son of the 1st Earl; resigned his titles in favour of younger brother in 1626)

Earls of Tullibardine; second creation (1628)

  • Patrick Murray, 1st Earl of Tullibardine (1578–1644) (third son of the 1st Earl of Tullibardine of the first creation)
  • James Murray, 2nd Earl of Tullibardine (1617–1670) (eldest son of the 1st Earl; died without surviving children)
  • Patrick Murray, Lord Murray and Gask (c. 1644–c. 1661–1664) (elder son of the 2nd Earl, died unmarried)
  • James Murray, Lord Murray and Gask (c. 1652–c. 1664–1670) (younger son of the 2nd Earl, died young)
  • John Murray, 3rd Earl of Tullibardine (1631–1703) (first cousin of the 2nd Earl; became 2nd Earl of Atholl in 1642 and created Marquess of Atholl in 1676)

Earls of Atholl; tenth creation (1629)

  • John Murray, 1st Earl of Atholl (died 1642) (son of the 2nd Earl of Tullibardine of the first creation)
  • John Murray, 3rd Earl of Tullibardine, 2nd Earl of Atholl (1631–1703) (elder son of the 1st Earl; created Marquess of Atholl in 1676)

Marquesses of Atholl (1676)

  • John Murray, 1st Marquess of Atholl (1631–1703) (elder son of the 1st Earl)
  • John Murray, 2nd Marquess of Atholl (1660–1724) (eldest son of the 1st Marquess; created Duke of Atholl in 1703)

Dukes of Atholl (1703)

:Other titles: Marquess of Tullibardine, Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle, Viscount of Balwhidder, Glenalmond and Glenlyonz and Lord Murray, Balvenie and Gask (Scotland, 1703); Marquess of Atholl, Earl of Tullibardine, Viscount of Balquhidder and Lord Murray, Balvany and Gask (Scotland, 1676); Earl of Atholl (Scotland, 1629); Earl of Tullibardine and Lord Murray, Gask and Balquhidder (Scotland, 1628); Lord Murray of Tullibardine (Scotland, 1604)

  • John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl (1660–1724) (eldest son of the 1st Marquess)
  • John Murray, Marquess of Tullibardine (1684–1709) (eldest son of the 1st Duke; died unmarried)
  • William Murray, Marquess of Tullibardine (1689–1746) (second son of the 1st Duke; was a Jacobite who was attainted and executed, unmarried, for treason; excluded from the succession)
  • Lord Charles Murray (1691–1720) (fourth son of the 1st Duke; predeceased his third brother without issue)
  • Lt.-Gen. Lord George Murray (1694–1760) fifth son of the 1st Duke, also attainted

:Other titles (2nd and 4th through 9th Dukes): Baron Strange (England, 1628)

  • James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl (1690–1764) (third son of the 1st Duke)
  • John Murray, Marquess of Tullibardine (1728–1729) (eldest son of the 2nd Duke; died in infancy)
  • James Murray, Marquess of Tullibardine (1735–1736) (second and youngest son of the 2nd Duke; died in infancy)
  • John Murray, 3rd Duke of Atholl (1729–1774) (only son of Lord George Murray, attainted fifth son of the 1st Duke)
  • John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl (1755–1830) (eldest son of the 3rd Duke)
  • John Murray, 5th Duke of Atholl (1778–1846) (eldest son of the 4th Duke; died unmarried)

:Other titles (6th through 9th Dukes): Earl Strange and Baron Murray (Great Britain, 1786, extinct 1957); Baron Glenlyon (United Kingdom, 1821, extinct 1957)

  • George Augustus Frederick John Murray, 6th Duke of Atholl (1814–1864) (nephew of the 5th duke; eldest son of James Murray, 1st Baron Glenlyon; see below)

:Other titles (7th through 9th Dukes): Baron Percy (Great Britain, 1722)

  • John James Hugh Henry Stewart-Murray, 7th Duke of Atholl (1840–1917) (only son of the 6th Duke)
  • John Stewart-Murray, Marquess of Tullibardine (1869–1869) (eldest son of the 7th Duke; died in infancy)
  • Major Lord George Stewart-Murray (1873–1914) (third son of the 7th Duke; predeceased his second brother without issue)
  • John George Stewart-Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl (1871–1942) (second son of the 7th Duke; died without issue)
  • James Stewart-Murray, 9th Duke of Atholl (1879–1957) (fourth and youngest son of the 7th Duke; died unmarried)
  • George Iain Murray, 10th Duke of Atholl (1931–1996) (fourth cousin, twice removed of the 9th Duke; great-great-great-grandson of Rt. Rev. Dr. George Murray, eldest son of Rt. Rev. Lord George Murray, second son of the 3rd Duke; died unmarried)
  • John Murray, 11th Duke of Atholl (1929–2012)
  • 35px John Murray, 1st Marquess of Atholl (1631–1703)
  • 35px John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl (1660–1724)
  • 35px James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl (1690–1764)
  • Lord George Murray (1694–1760)
  • 35px John Murray, 3rd Duke of Atholl (1729–1774)
  • 35px John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl (1755–1830)
  • 35px John Murray, 5th Duke of Atholl (1778–1846)
  • 35px James Murray, 1st Baron Glenlyon (1782–1837)
  • 35px 35px George Murray, 6th Duke of Atholl, 2nd Baron Glenlyon (1814–1864)
  • 35px John Stewart-Murray, 7th Duke of Atholl (1840–1917)
  • 35px John Stewart-Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl (1871–1942)
  • 35px James Stewart-Murray, 9th Duke of Atholl (1879–1957)
  • The Rt Rev. Lord George Murray (1761–1803)
  • The Rt. Rev. George Murray (1784–1860)
  • Rev. George Edward Murray (1818–1854)
  • Sir George Herbert Murray (1849–1936)
  • Sir George Evelyn Pemberton Murray (1880–1947)
  • George Anthony Murray (1907–1945)
  • 35px (George) Iain Murray, 10th Duke of Atholl (1931–1996)
  • Rev. Douglas Stuart Murray (1853–1920)
  • George Murray (1884–1940)
  • 35px John Murray, 11th Duke of Atholl (1929–2012)
  • 35px Bruce Murray, 12th Duke of Atholl (born 1960)
  • (1) Michael Bruce John Murray, Marquess of Tullibardine (b. 1985)
  • (2) Lord David Nicholas George Murray (b. 1986)
  • (3) Finley Nicholas George Murray (b. 2024)
  • (4) Lord Craig John Murray (b. 1963)
  • (5) Carl Murray (b. 1994)
  • Sir Herbert Murray (1829–1904)
  • Gerald Ottway Hay Murray (1868–1951)
  • Douglas Gerald Murray (1907–1980)
  • male issue in line
  • Stewart Hay Murray (1909–1988)
  • John Stewart Murray (1940–2000)
  • male issue in line
  • Peter Gerald Stewart Murray (b. 1944)
  • male issue in line
  • Keith Robert Murray (1912–1997)
  • male issue in line
  • Rev. Frederick William Murray (1831–1913)
  • Rev. Frederick Auriol Murray-Gourlay, 25th of Kincraig (1865–1939)
  • George Ronald Auriol Murray-Gourlay, 26th of Kincraig (1900–1961)
  • Brian Austin Walter Murray-Gourlay, 27th of Kincraig (1927–1996)
  • Hugh William Auriol Murray-Gourlay (1960-2025)
  • Rev. Charles Hay Murray (1869–1923)
  • Sir Francis Ralph Hay Murray (1908–1983)
  • Ingram Bernard Hay Murray (b. 1937)
  • Al Murray (b. 1968)
  • male issue in line
  • Rev. Edward Murray (1798–1852)
  • Charles Edward Gostling Murray (1825–1892)
  • Rupert Murray (1882–1915)
  • Anthony Ian Rupert Murray (1914–1993)
  • male issue in line
  • Stracey Montagu Atholl Murray (1888–1970)
  • male issue in line
  • Fane Robert Conant Murray (1929–2014)
  • male issue in line
  • Lord Henry Murray (1767–1805)
  • Richard Murray (1787–1843)
  • Henry Murray (1815–1864)
  • Rev. Arthur Silver Murray (1858–1932)
  • Arthur Evelyn Francis Murray (1888–1972)
  • male issue in line
  • Douglas Vivian Murray (1905–1976)
  • male issue in line
  • Very Rev. Lord Charles Murray-Aynsley (1771–1808)
  • John Murray-Aynsley (1795–1870)
  • Hugh Percy Murray-Aynsley (1828–1917)
  • Charles Percy Murray-Aynsley (1862–1936)
  • Francis Percy Murray-Aynsley (1924–1991)
  • male issue in line
  • 35px Charles Murray, 1st Earl of Dunmore (1661–1710)
  • Earls of Dunmore, by special remainder to the Dukedom

Coat of arms

Heraldry

<gallery>

File:Blason Murray (Moray) (selon Gelre).svg|Murray

File:Arms of Stewart, Earl of Atholl (1596 creation).svg|Stewart of Atholl

File:Stanley arms.svg|Stanley

File:Coat of arms of Isle of Man.svg|Isle of Man

File:Arms of John Murray, 1st Earl of Atholl.svg|Arms of John Murray, 1st Earl of Atholl

File:Arms of John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl.svg|Arms of John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl

File:Duke of Atholl arms.svg|Arms of the 2nd to 4th Dukes of Atholl

File:Arms of Stewart-Murray, Duke of Atholl.svg|Arms of the 7th to 9th Dukes of Atholl

</gallery>

Family tree

See also

  • Clan Murray
  • Murray (surname)
  • Earl of Dunmore
  • Atholl
  • Atholl Highlanders
  • Atolovo, a Bulgarian village named after the eighth Duke

Notes

References

  • Anderson, Alan Orr, Early Sources of Scottish History: AD 500–1286, 2 Vols, (Edinburgh, 1922)
  • Kidd, Charles, Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990,
  • Roberts, John L., Lost Kingdoms: Celtic Scotland in the Middle Ages, (Edinburgh, 1997)
  • Cracroft's Peerage page
  • European Heraldry page (archived page)
  • Murray Clan Society of North America