The English monk and historian
Bede mentions Abercorn as the site of a monastery and seat of Bishop
Trumwine, who was the only bishop of the Northumbrian see of the Picts. The 7th-century monastery is now known to have existed close to the present-day church. The church itself dates partially from the 12th century, although its most interesting features are the private aisles created for the three major families of the area, the Dalyells, the Hamiltons, and later the Hopes, who had their own enclosure behind the altar built by architect
William Bruce. The Hope mausoleum, designed by
William Burn, is located adjacent to the kirkyard. Older burial monuments include
Norse "
hogback" grave markers, and fragments of 7th-century Northumbrian crosses. Adjacent to the churchyard at Abercorn, is a small museum containing prominent examples of medieval gravestones. The lands of Abercorn were granted to
Claud Hamilton in the 16th century. His son was later created the
Earl of Abercorn. In the early 17th century, a branch of the Hamilton dynasty moved to
Ulster in
Ireland. The family would, henceforth, play a major part in Ulster affairs. Thus, the estate was later sold to the Hope family, who were created
Earls of Hopetoun, and built
Hopetoun House to the east of the village. ==Abercorn Castle==