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A Brief History Clan Middleton

The Middleton clan is a lowland clan taking its name from the lands of Middleton of Conveth, situated near Laurencekirk in Kincardineshire. A charter from William the Lion officially recognised these lands. Their motto is ‘Fortis in ardus’ (‘Brave in difficulty’).

In the Ragman Roll of 1296, Humfrey de Middleton of Kincardyn paid homage to Edward I. At the same time, Robert de Middleton was captured at Dunbar Castle. In the 17th century, the family rose to prominence with John Middleton, a soldier in France, returning to Scotland in 1642 to serve against Charles I. As a general, he helped defeat Montrose at Philiphaugh in 1645 and later negotiated terms for Montrose’s departure to the Continent in 1646.

Middleton opposed the decision to surrender the king and joined the Duke of Hamilton's failed rescue attempt in 1648. Facing a treason trial, he fled to France. Returning in 1654, he joined the Earl of Glencairn but was defeated by General Monck and went into exile again. After the Restoration, Charles II made him Earl of Middleton, Lord Clermont and appointed him Lord High Commissioner. He later became Governor of Tangier, where he died in 1667.

Charles, the second and last Earl of Middleton, served as ambassador to Vienna and Scotland’s Secretary of State. Despite disagreeing with James VII, he refused to recognise the 1688 Revolution and the rule of Queen Mary and William of Orange. Imprisoned in England, he escaped to France, however, his sons were captured during an unsuccessful invasion of Scotland and were sent to the Tower of London. They were released eventually but their Middleton title was fortified and never restored.

The Middleton tartan consists of a more traditional green and red pattern with blue, yellow and white linework. This tartan is available in ancient, modern and weathered variants.