Earls of Tullibardine (1606)

1^st Earl of Tullibardine, John Murray, b.?, a.1606, d.1609

The influential family of Murray of Tullibardine in Perthshire were descended from the de Moravia Clan that had become earls of Sutherland. They had assumed the chieftaincy of Clan Murray when Elizabeth, Countess of Sutherland had married into the Gordons of Huntly. John Murray was the son of Sir William Murray of Tullibardine (b.?, d.1582-1583) and Lady Agnes Graham, daughter of William Graham, 2^nd Earl of Montrose, and was raised alongside James VI and was Master of the King’s Household from 1578 to 1592, when he was made a Privy Counsellor. In 1604 he was created 1^st Lord Murray of Tullibardine, and in 1606 was created 1^st Earl of Tullibardine and 1^st Lord Murray, Gask and Balquidder.

2^nd Earl of Tullibardine, William Murray, b.1574, a.1609, d.1626

Son of the 1^st Earl and Catherine Drummond (b.1552, d.?), daughter of David Drummond , 2^nd Lord Drummond (for whom see the earls of Perth). He married Lady Dorothea Stewart, daughter of John Stewart, 5^th Earl of Atholl. When the 5^th Earl of Atholl died with no heir-male, the family having produced many more daughters than sons over the years, Murray petitioned King Charles I for the earldom of Atholl. His petition was granted, and so he resigned the earldom of Tullibardine to his younger brother. Unfortunately, he died before the official conferment for Atholl, and his son John Murray was invested in his place.

Earls of Tullibardine (1627-1628)

1^st Earl of Tullibardine, Patrick Murray, b.1578, a.1627-1628, d.1644

Younger brother of the 2^nd Earl. Although the earldom was re-granted, precedence attached from the date of the original granting in 1606.

2^nd Earl of Tullibardine, James Murray, b.1617, a.1644, d.1669-1670

Son of the 1^st Earl and Elizabeth Dent (b.1591, d.c.1655-1656). He served in the Perthshire Regiment of Foot, reaching the rank of Colonel, and fought during the Civil Wars on the Royalist side. After the Restoration he was made a Privy Counsellor and in 1663 he was made Lord Justice General for Scotland. He had no sons and the earldom was inherited by his cousin John Murray, 2^nd Earl of Atholl.

3^rd Earl of Tullibardine, John Murray, b.1631, a.1669-1670, d.1703

Grandson of William Murray, 2^nd Earl of Tullibardine, and son of John Murray, 1^st Earl of Atholl. He had already succeeded to the earldom of Atholl in 1642.

For a continuation of this line, please consult the Atholl page.

(Last updated: 07/12/2010)

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