Boyd Genealogy

The Boyds for eight centuries have counted as Cadets of the Royal House of Stewart of Scotland and are entitled to wear the Royal Stewart Tartan.

This is because they trace their direct ancestry back to the Royal House of Stewart through Alan Fitzflaad (Dapifer Dolensis, Steward of Dol in Brittany), father of Walter who became the High Steward of Scotland and was said to be uncle to the first Boyd.

Gaelic Name: Buidhe
Lands: Bute

The origin of the name is considered by some to be Scottish Gaelic. The name may derive from 'buidhe' meaning 'fair' or 'yellow'. It may also refer to Bute, the island next in size to Arran, that is called 'Bod'' in Gaelic, the genitive case of which is 'Boid.'

Modern genealogists disagree with the Scottish Origin of the Boyds and claim that they were originally Norman, a branch of the famous chivalrous family of Bayard.

The Scottish Story of the Origin of the Stewarts (and Boyds)

The Breton Story of the Origin of the Stewarts (and Boyds)

Robert Boyd the First Boyd

Robert Boyd was said to be the first of the Boyds. He took on the surname of Boyd which became a surname to all of his descendants.

Robert's Grandfather was said to be Alan Fitz Flaald, Dapifer Dolensis (Stewart of Dol, Brittany) who went to the Holy Land with Godfrey deRouillon in the first crusade of 1097. He died in 1153 leaving three sons:

Walter - who succeeded him
Adam - who is designed Filius Alani in the Charters of COLDINGHAM, MELROSE AND COLDSTREAM
Simon - who is in Charters designed Brother to Walter Dapifer (dapifer literally translated means "bearer of meat" otherwise translated as "steward")

Simon was the father of Robert - designed in the Register of PAISLEY; NEPOS Alani DAPIFERI

Robert's uncle was Walter Stewart, the youngest son of Alan Fitzflaald, went to Scotland where he received land in Renfrew, including Paisley, and the hereditary dignity of High Steward or Seneschal of Scotland, from David I of Scotland. This dignity is what the surname Stewart, (modified by some branches to "Steuart", or to French form "Stuart") took origin from in the reign of Malcolm IV (1153-1165). The title of Steward of Scotland was bestowed on Walter FitzAlan by David (1124-1153); under whose reign and the reigns of his brothers Edgar and Alexander before him, the Anglo-Norman feudal system and culture became more established in Scotland. Malcolm confirmed the honour bestowed by David and made the office of Steward of Scotland hereditary in Walter's family. Walter founded the Abbey of Paisley for monks of the Cluniac order in 1160; and he defeated Somerled of the Isles in 1164. Walter married Eschina de Londonius, widow of Robert de Croc and probably daughter of Thomas de Londonius.

Robert's cousin was Alan ( son of Walter), who as a Commander under Richard the Lionheart on the Third Crusade in 1191, He sailed with that monarch from England and arrived in time to take part in the conquest of Cypress. He was a patron of the Knights Templar, adding considerably to their strength and possessions in Scotland both before and after his return from the Crusade. He appears to have married Eva, daughter of Swain (or Swan) son of Thor, Lord of Tippermuir (Perthshire) and of Tranent (East Lothian), but this identification of his wife has been disputed by some genealogists. He succeeded his father in 1177 and died in 1204, having been Second Hereditary Great Stewart of Scotland for 27 years. He was in turn succeeded by his younger son, Walter Stewart, 3rd High Steward of Scotland, his elder boy, David, having predeceased him, and was designed in Charters, SENESCALLUS and DAPIFER Scotine.

I include a link here to an excerpt from J. H. Round here discussing this section of the Stewart/Boyd genealogy. He thinks that Simon may have been either a stepson of Alan or an illegitimate son and gives Alan's three sons as William, Walter and Jordan.