Abercrombys on the Net Clan Abercromby Discussion Area Clan Abercromby Contacts |
The lands of Abercromby lie in Fife. The earliest record of the name is found in 1296 when William de Abercromby did homage to Edward I of England for his lands in Fife. His line became extinct in the middle of the seventeeth century, so the line passed to the house of Abercromby of Birkenbog in Banffshire.
The lands of Birkenbog were originally church lands. In 1362 the Earl of Mar confirmed to Alexander Abercromby his grant of lands by the Bishop of Aberdeen. In 1637 his eldest son, Alexander Abercromby of Birkenbog, was made a Baronet of Nova Scotia. Eventhough he was in the good graces of the royals, he became a fervent Covenanter who opposed the attempts of Charles I to force an episcopal church in Scotland.
Sir Ralph Abercromby, born in 1734, was considered to be one of the greatest military reformers. His restructuring of the army led to the defeat of Napoleon. As a reward for his bravery, when he died his widow was made the Baroness Abercromby of Aboukir and Tullibody. Sir Ralph's brother, Robert, was also in the military and was created a Knight of the Order of the Bath and commander-in-chief of the British forces in India. He later was Governor of Edinburgh Castle for almost 30 years.