Clan Seton

History

The Setons were a Lowland family, and their story belongs to East Lothian. Electric Scotland derives the name from "Say-tun", the dwelling of Say, and says the first of the line, Secher de Say, received land in Haddingtonshire from David I. Other writers prefer a meaning of "sea town". Electric Scotland also names a Seton grant from William the Lion in 1169, so the family was settled in the twelfth century.

The Wars of Independence brought the family to prominence. Sir Christopher Seton married Christian Bruce, sister of Robert I, and attended Bruce's coronation at Scone in 1306. Sources say he came to the king's aid at Methven, and that the English later took him prisoner and put him to death. Electric Scotland places his death at Dumfries, while another page on the same site is not consistent about the place. His brother, Sir Alexander Seton, is named among those who sent the 1320 letter to the Pope asserting Scottish independence.

The senior male line died out in an heiress, Margaret Seton, who married Alan Winton; their son adopted the Seton surname. George, the first Lord Seton, is usually given a peerage of 1448. Historic Environment Scotland says that in 1470 he began a college of priests at Seton, and that his son won papal approval for full collegiate status in 1492. The collegiate church survives near Port Seton in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

The Setons were close to the Stewart crown. George, 3rd Lord Seton, is said to have fallen at Flodden in 1513. English forces burned the family castle in 1544. George, 5th Lord, was devoted to Mary, Queen of Scots. Electric Scotland says she stayed at Seton after Rizzio's murder, and that he helped her after her escape from Lochleven in 1568. He was then exiled in Flanders for a time. The sources number the Lords differently, so treat the ordinals with care.

Robert, 6th Lord, was made Earl of Winton in 1600. A younger Seton, Alexander, became Earl of Dunfermline and Chancellor of Scotland. Later Setons backed the Jacobites. George, 5th Earl of Winton, joined the rising of 1715. Electric Scotland says he was condemned, escaped from the Tower of London and fled abroad, and that the titles and estates were forfeited. Electric Scotland says the present Seton House was built in 1790, on the site of the old palace.

Many branches grew from the family. Electric Scotland names the Setons of Touch, Pitmedden, Meldrum, Abercorn and Cariston, among others. It also says that the Earl of Eglinton claimed the representation of the house, and that a later Earl of Eglinton was served heir male general in 1840. The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs lists no Seton chief, and COSCA names no chief or commander for the name.