Mormaers Angus is one of the oldest attested
mormaerdoms, with the earliest attested mormaer,
Dubacan of Angus, known to have lived in the early 10th century, as recorded in the
Chronicle of the Kings of Alba. Angus was, according to the doubtful and legendary text
de Situ Albanie, one of the seven original mormaerdoms of the
Pictish
kingdom of Alba, said to have been occupied by seven brothers, of whom Angus (Oengus) was the eldest. Despite this, the mormaers of Angus are among the most obscure of all. After the death of Mormaer
Maol Chaluim, in probably about 1240, the mormaerdom passed through the marriage of his daughter
Matilda, to the line of the
Norman Gilbert de Umfraville.
Ogilvy Earls The lands of
Clan Ogilvy, in Angus, was ruled by a
mormaer; one of the ancient Celtic nobles of Scotland who became the first earls. The title of Moramer of Angus became Earl of Angus. and bestowed upon his son, Gilbert, the lands of Wester Powrie, Ogilvy, and Kyneithin. The top left quadrant displays the Ogilvy crest; argent, a lion passant, guardant, Gules, crowned with an imperial crown and collared with an open one, Proper.
Umfraville Earls Gilbert de Umfraville inherited the earldom while in his minority after his father's death in 1245. Gilbert fought on the English side during the
first war of Scottish independence until his death in 1308. His heir, second son
Robert, also fought on the side of the English and surrendered to King
Robert de Brus during the
Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. He was released by Robert and treated with the Scots for peace with England. He was ultimately disinherited of his titles. Robert's heir Gilbert continued attempting to recover the earldom and supported
Edward Balliol and other disinherited barons and lords in Scotland.
Stewart Earls John Stewart of Bonkyll, Berwickshire, obtained the title Earl of Angus in 1329 in a new line after the forfeiture of the de Umfraville line, though the latter family continued to use the title in England until 1381. This Stewart line ended with
Margaret Stewart, countess of Angus in her own right, and widow of
Thomas, Earl of Mar.
Douglas earls An illicit affair between Margaret Stewart, Countess of Mar and Angus, and her brother in law,
William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas (married to the sister of her husband), produced
George Douglas, 1st Earl of Angus (c. 1380–1403). The Countess secured a charter of her estates for her son, to whom in 1389 the title was granted by King
Robert II. He was taken prisoner at
Homildon Hill in 1402, and died in captivity in England.
Archibald "Bell-the-Cat" (1453–1514) the powerful adversary of
James III, was his great-grandson. William Douglas (1589–1660) 11th Earl of Angus, was created
Marquis of Douglas in 1633. He resigned the title of Earl of Angus, having it recreated with the marquessate, so he was the 1st Earl of Angus in the new creation. He outlived his son Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus (c. 1609–1655), and was succeeded by Archibald's son James Douglas, 2nd Marquess of Douglas (1646–1699). James' son and heir Archibald Douglas was created
Duke of Douglas,
Marquess of Angus and Abernethy,
Viscount of Jedburgh Forest, and
Lord Douglas of Bonkill, Prestoun and Robertoun on 10 April 1703. He died without leaving an heir and the titles acquired with the dukedom became extinct. All his other titles devolved to his distant cousin the
7th Duke of Hamilton, whose descendants hold them still. ==Mormaers/early Earls of Angus==