Lords
Jedburgh (1622)
1st Lord Jedburgh, Andrew Kerr,
b.?, a.1622, d.c.1631
Kerr is an ancient Border family, the name
probably derived from the Norse "Kjaerr", meaning "copse",
from an area around Stavanger whose warriors formed part of the original Viking
occupation of northern France, one of whom accompanied de Brus from Normandy
into England in 1066 and then on to Scotland. By the 14th century,
Kerrs (and Kers and Carrs) had spread throughout the Borders, one such rising
to become Sheriff of Roxburghe. The family split thereafter into two major
lines, those of Cessford and those of Ferniehurst, who vied for seniority,
stemming from two sons of Sir Andrew Ker of Cessford and Auldtonburn. The older
brother, Walter Ker of Caverton (b.?, d.1501), inherited Cessford directly,
whereas his younger brother, Thomas Ker of Smailholm (b.?, d.1484), married
into the Kers of Ferniehurst, considered by many to be the earliest branch of
the family. The principal Cessford line was later raised as the earls of Roxburghe. However, the 1st Earl having no
sons, the earldom of Roxburghe passed out of direct male descent via one of his
daughters, and so seniority passed to the Ferniehurst line anyway. Andrew Kerr
was the son of Sir Thomas Kerr, 4th of Ferniehurst and Janet Kirkcaldy, and was
also related to the Kerr earls of both Ancram and of Lothian. Thomas Kerr had been a follower of Queen Mary and
after a brief period of exile held the post of Warden of the
2nd Lord Jedburgh, Alexander Kerr,
b.?, a.c.1631, d.c.1650
Nephew of the 1st Lord and son of
that man’s younger brother William Kerr (b.?, d.1598-1599) and Elizabeth Lyon,
daughter of John Lyon, 8th Lord Glamis (for whom see the earls of Kinghorne). He was born with the surname of Kirkcaldy,
his father having changed his name in the hope of succeeding the estates of
Kirkcaldy of Grange by way of his mother, but reverted to Kerr on the failure
of this attempt. As the remainder to the title was specifically to heirs with
the same name, he did not automatically inherit and it was not until after his
death that he was recognised.
3rd Lord
Jedburgh, John Kerr, b.?, a.c.1650, d.1669
Son of the 2nd Lord. He obtained
recognition as heir-male of the Ferniehurst line in 1654, establishing his
father's claim to the title de jure, although neither assumed usage of the
title during their lifetimes.
4th Lord
Jedburgh, Robert Kerr, b.?, a.1669, d.1692
Grandson of the 1st Lord and his
second wife Janet Scott (an aunt of Sir Walter Scott, 1st Lord Scott of Buccleuch) and son of Sir James Kerr (b.?, d.c.1645)
and Mary Rutherford. His father’s younger (full) brother Robert Kerr became
known as Robert Carr, a favourite of James VI, who was created 1st
Earl of Somerset and married Lady Frances Howard, daughter of Thomas Howard, 1st
Earl of Suffolk, before falling from grace after being accused of murder. The 4th
Lord Jedburgh obtained a re-grant of the title, failing his own heirs to his
distant relative, William Kerr, Master of Newbottle, son and heir of Robert
Kerr, 2nd Earl (and later 1st Marquess) of Lothian, a descendant of the 1st Lord's
grandfather's younger brother.
For a continuation of the title, please refer
to the Lothian page.
(Last
updated: 27/02/2013)