The name Erskine derives from the barony of Erskine in Renfrewshire and was held by Henry de Erskine in the reign of Alexander II. The name itself may mean 'green rising ground'.
The Erskines were committed in their support of the Bruce family and Sir Robert de Erskine became an illustrious and renowned figure in his time. He was appointed chief constable and keeper of the strategic royal castle of Stirling by David II and in the mid 15th century the family claimed one of the great Celtic titles when Alexander, Earl of Mar died in 1435.
The Erskines rose to high office, none more so than John, the 6th Lord who acted as regent during the childhood of Mary, Queen of Scots and was restored as Earl of Mar, the premier Earldom in Scotland, in 1565 by Mary herself.
