RMS – Volume 4
Guthrie Genealogy · Special Collections · Register of the Great Seal
RMS · Volume IV
Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum
A.D. 1546–1580
Volume IV carries the Guthrie record through the later minority and personal reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, and into the early reign of James VI. Its forty-four identified Guthrie entries document far more than witness appearances: they preserve marriages, legitimation, parentage, succession, civic office, heraldic service, clerical careers and substantial property transactions across several distinct Guthrie families.
Complete Survey · Index ReconciledOverview
Volume IV is especially valuable for genealogy because many entries identify Guthries by more than name alone. Spouses, fathers, sons, natural children, heirs, territorial designations, occupations and civic offices all appear within the record.
The evidence also broadens geographically and socially. Alongside the established Angus and Forfarshire landed families are Guthrie burgesses, notaries, bailies, clerics and heraldic officers active in Montrose, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Elgin and other Scottish burghs.
Family Relationships & Legitimation
Volume IV explicitly names husbands and wives, fathers and sons, natural children and hereditary destinations. The records include the legitimation of James and William, natural sons of Hercules Guthrie of Over-Dysart; David, natural son of Master James Guthrie; and additional direct parent-child evidence in the chief line, Balnabreich and Dalgaty families.
Land, Marriage & Succession
Conjunct infeftments, liferents, feu grants, resignations, Crown confirmations and sasine instructions document how property moved through marriage and succession. Colliston, Balnabreich, Lunan, Dalgaty and other Guthrie-associated properties emerge through direct transactions rather than later pedigree tradition.
Civic, Legal & Professional Guthries
John Guthrie appears as a bailie of Montrose; Master Richard Guthrie as a notary public; Master John Guthrie repeatedly appears in legal and professional settings; and Gilbert Guthrie is documented both as a burgess of Aberdeen and as Marchmont Herald.
Distinct Territorial Families
The register preserves Guthries associated with Grandoun, Colliston, Hiltoun, Halkertoun, Kingany, Over-Dysart, Petmowis, Balnabreich and Dalgaty, together with members of the principal Guthrie line. These territorial styles allow same-named individuals to be kept separate where the evidence requires it.
Historical Setting · 1546–1580
Volume IV spans a politically unsettled generation. The sovereign named in a Great Seal entry, the person exercising government, and the date of the underlying private charter may not all belong to the same political moment. For genealogical work, the exact date and wording of the embedded instrument remain as important as the later date of royal confirmation.
Mary, Queen of Scots · Minority
The opening portion of the volume falls within Mary’s minority. Government passed through regency and changing political alliances while Mary spent much of her youth in France. Great Seal records from this period nevertheless preserve the ordinary machinery of landholding, burgh administration, inheritance and family settlement.
Mary’s Personal Reign
After Mary’s return to Scotland, the register continues to document property and family transactions during her personal rule. These records overlap with the political and religious transformation of Reformation-era Scotland, but many Guthrie entries concern the more durable structures of family, property, office and local government.
James VI · Early Reign
Mary’s abdication in 1567 brought her infant son James VI to the throne. The closing portion of Volume IV spans his early reign through successive regencies and political factions. The Guthrie entries increasingly reveal urban, clerical, notarial and heraldic careers alongside the established landed families.
Primary published source: Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, Volume IV, A.D. 1546–1580.
Open Digitized RMS Volume IVVolume IV · Master Guthrie Finding Aid
The forty-four entries below provide a chronological guide to Guthrie people, families, territorial designations and professional roles appearing in RMS Volume IV.
Each charter is classified according to the evidence it actually contributes: family relationship, landholding or succession, civic or professional activity, or supporting witness and assize evidence.
| Charter | Date | Guthrie Evidence | Documentary Role | Record Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 192 | 9 Apr 1548 | Alexander Guthrie | Witness | Alexander witnesses an Edinburgh confirmation of a Dunlop family land transaction in Ayrshire. No territorial designation identifies him further. |
| 238 | 30 Jul 1548 | Alexander Guthrie of Grandene | Assize | Alexander serves on the assize valuing lands in an Aberdeenshire apprising proceeding. |
| 349 | 11 Jul 1549 | Agnes Guthrie, wife of William Erskine | Marriage / Property | William Erskine and Agnes Guthrie receive Torphaiquhe in conjunct infeftment with succession to their lawful issue. |
| 455 | 5 May 1550 |
John Guthrie; Master Richard Guthrie |
Bailie / Notary | John serves as a bailie of Montrose while Master Richard Guthrie acts as notary public in a burgh land transaction. |
| 473 | 8 Jun 1550 | Master John Guthrie | Witness | Master John witnesses a Carnegie–Wood property settlement involving lands in Fife and Forfarshire. |
| 560 | 3 Feb 1551 |
James Guthrie; William Guthrie; Hercules Guthrie of Over-Dysart |
Legitimation / Parentage | Royal letters legitimate James and William, explicitly identifying them as the natural sons of Hercules Guthrie of Over-Dysart. |
| 645 | 2 Nov 1551 | John Guthrie of Colliston | Witness / Notary | John of Colliston witnesses a Panmure liferent transaction involving Skryne and associated lands. |
| 647 | 3 Nov 1551 | John Guthrie of Colliston | Direct Crown Grant | Crown grant and quitclaim of Cukistoun in the lordship of Brechin to John Guthrie of Colliston and his heirs. |
| 773 | 4 Apr 1553 |
John Guthrie; Master Richard Guthrie |
Bailie / Notary | John acts as bailie of Montrose and Master Richard as notary in a feu-farm grant of salmon-fishing rights. |
| 793 | 18 Jun 1553 | Janet Guthrie, wife of George Crichton of Camnay | Marriage / Property | George Crichton and Janet Guthrie receive lands of Camnay in conjunct infeftment with succession to their lawful children. |
| 843 | 1553 | Gilbert Guthrie, burgess of Aberdeen | Burgess / Property | Gilbert appears in connection with Aberdeen fishing rights, providing an early documented appearance of the burgess later identified as Marchmont Herald. |
| 870 | 1553 |
Hercules Guthrie; Janet Anderson his wife |
Marriage / Land | Hercules Guthrie and Janet Anderson appear together in a property settlement involving Lunan / Over-Dysart. |
| 918 | 1554 |
John Guthrie; Master Richard Guthrie |
Bailie / Notary | Further Montrose civic evidence involving John as bailie and Master Richard Guthrie in a legal/notarial role. |
| Charter | Date | Guthrie Evidence | Documentary Role | Record Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1050 | 1555/56 | John Guthrie, notary | Notary / Witness | John Guthrie appears in a professional notarial capacity. |
| 1098 | 1556 | Master John Guthrie | Witness | Master John appears as a witness in a Panmure-area transaction. |
| 1162 | 1556 | Master John Guthrie | Witness | Another professional or legal-network appearance by Master John Guthrie. |
| 1195 | 23 Jul 1557 | John Guthrie of Hiltoun | Assize | John of Hiltoun serves on an assize in a Forfarshire land valuation and apprising proceeding. |
| 1216 | 1557 |
David Guthrie; Master James Guthrie his father |
Legitimation / Parentage | David Guthrie is explicitly identified as the natural son of Master James Guthrie. |
| 1266 | 1558 |
Ninian Guthrie of Kingany; Andrew Guthrie |
Witnesses | Ninian of Kingany and Andrew Guthrie appear together in a Forfarshire witness network. |
| 1305 | 3 Oct 1558 | Master John Guthrie | Procurator | Master John Guthrie acts as procurator for George Arrott during valuation and legal proceedings concerning Forfarshire lands. |
| 1355 | 1559 |
Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk; David Guthrie his son |
Father / Son | David is explicitly identified as a son of Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk, providing direct evidence for the principal Guthrie line. |
| 1391 | 1561 | Alexander Guthrie of Halkertoun | Assize | Alexander of Halkertoun serves on an assize, extending the territorial sequence established in Volume III. |
| 1471 | 1561 | Henry Guthrie | Witness | Henry Guthrie appears as a witness; later records provide the territorial Colliston designation for a Henry Guthrie. |
| 1605 | 1565 | Margaret Guthrie, wife of Sir Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird | Marriage | Margaret Guthrie is explicitly identified as spouse of Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird. |
| 1730 | 1566 | David Guthrie, perpetual vicar of Dull | Cleric / Grantor | David Guthrie appears as perpetual vicar of Dull in a clerical property transaction. |
| Charter | Date | Guthrie Evidence | Documentary Role | Record Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1889 | 1569 | Master John Guthrie of Petmowis | Witness | A territorially styled Master John Guthrie of Petmowis appears as witness. |
| 1895 | 24 Nov 1569 | John Guthrie | Witness | John Guthrie witnesses an Edinburgh burgh charter granting lands near Newhaven to Alexander Hay. |
| 1928 | 1570 | Alexander Guthrie, burgess and common clerk of Edinburgh | Burgess / Clerk | Alexander appears under an identifiable Edinburgh civic and clerical office. |
| 2086 | 1571/72 | Ninian Guthrie of Kingany | Witness | A later securely styled appearance of Ninian Guthrie of Kingany. |
| 2127 | 1572/73 | David Guthrie, notary | Notary / Witness | David Guthrie appears in a professional notarial role. |
| 2167 | 1573 | Henry Guthrie of Colliston | Witness / Notary | Henry appears under the Colliston territorial designation in a legal transaction. |
| 2260 | 1574 | Henry Guthrie of Colliston | Witness | Further securely styled evidence for Henry Guthrie of Colliston. |
| 2399 | 1574/75 | Henry Guthrie of Colliston | Precept of Sasine | Henry of Colliston is named in connection with execution of a precept of sasine. |
| Charter | Date | Guthrie Evidence | Documentary Role | Record Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2443 |
10 Jul 1575 underlying charter 16 Jan 1566 |
Master Hugh Guthrie, deceased; Christina Rattray his widow; Patrick Guthrie their son |
Family / Property / Succession | Dawgathy is granted to Christina Rattray in liferent and to Patrick Guthrie heritably. The index identifies Patrick as a son of Master Hugh Guthrie. |
| 2523 | 1575/76 |
John Guthrie of Balnabreich; James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh; Master John Guthrie; David Guthrie |
Family / Land Sale | Balnabreich family transaction naming Master John and David as sons of John Guthrie of Balnabreich, with James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh, also directly involved. |
| 2535 | 1575/76 | John Guthrie in Auchindarie | Assize | John Guthrie, identified by residence at Auchindarie, serves on an assize. |
| 2549 | 1576 | Patrick Guthrie | Witness | Patrick appears as a witness without a territorial designation. |
| 2689 | 1577 | Alexander Guthrie, burgess of Elgin | Burgess / Witness | Alexander is securely distinguished by his status as a burgess of Elgin. |
| 2732 | 1577 |
Alexander Guthrie, common clerk of Edinburgh; Mariota Guthrie his daughter; Master Alexander Guthrie; John Guthrie; Master David Guthrie |
Family / Civic Cluster | A substantial Edinburgh Guthrie cluster includes Mariota, explicitly identified as daughter of Alexander Guthrie, common clerk of the burgh. |
| 2790 | 20 Jul 1578 | Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty | Precept of Sasine | Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty receives a precept of sasine in an Edinburgh property transaction. |
| 2805 | 1 Nov 1578 | Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty | Precept of Sasine | Patrick of Dalgaty again acts in execution of sasine for an Edinburgh property grant. |
| 2925 | 1579 | Gilbert Guthrie, burgess of Aberdeen and Marchmont Herald | Royal Grant / Heraldic Office | Direct royal grant involving Gilbert Guthrie, whose civic identity as an Aberdeen burgess is joined to his royal office as Marchmont Herald. |
| 2936 | 1579 |
Andrew Guthrie of Balnabreich; Margaret Guthrie his wife; David Guthrie; James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh |
Marriage / Family / Property | A Balnabreich family land transaction names Andrew and his wife Margaret together with David Guthrie and James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh. |
| 2986 | 1579/80 | James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh | Precept of Sasine | James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh, appears in connection with execution of a precept of sasine. |
Detailed Records · 1548–1554
The first thirteen Guthrie records in this survey move quickly beyond simple witness appearances. They document a Guthrie–Erskine marriage, the legitimation of two sons of Hercules Guthrie, direct Colliston landholding, a second Guthrie marriage settlement, the Montrose civic careers of John and Master Richard Guthrie, and Gilbert Guthrie’s place among the burgesses of Aberdeen.
Several entries also preserve earlier underlying instruments. Where the confirmation and original charter have different dates, both are retained so that a later Great Seal entry does not obscure the actual date of the Guthrie evidence.
Confirmed 9 April 1548 · underlying charter 5 April 1548 Charter 192 · Alexander Guthrie as Witness RMS IV · p. 45 · HathiTrust image 53
Document Focus
Robert Dunlop of Halpland sold six merklands of Halpland to his son Adam Dunlop, reserving Robert’s free tenement and making provisions for the terce of his wife Jonet Arnot and another liferent.
Alexander Guthrie appears among the witnesses to the underlying charter at Edinburgh.
Why This Record Matters
The entry gives a securely dated appearance for an Alexander Guthrie within an Edinburgh legal and notarial setting in 1548.
Identity Caution
No territorial designation or family relationship is supplied. The charter does not establish that this Alexander belongs to Kincaldrum, Kinblathmont, Halkertoun, the principal line, or any other known branch.
Source: Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum, vol. IV, charter 192, p. 45. View published RMS image.
30 July 1548 · assize held 20 July 1548 Charter 238 · Alexander Guthrie of Grandene on Assize RMS IV · p. 58 · HathiTrust image 66
Document Focus
The Queen granted lands including Little Lenturk and Brigend to Master Matthew Lumsden of Tullycairn following valuation and sale in satisfaction of a debt arising from earlier spoliation.
Alexander Guthrie of Grandene served on the assize that valued the lands.
Why This Record Matters
The territorial style distinguishes Alexander from the numerous unidentified men of that name and provides a continuing Grandene / Grandoun research thread after the property records in Volume III.
Source: RMS IV, charter 238, p. 58. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 11 July 1549 · underlying charter 24 May 1549 Charter 349 · Agnes Guthrie & William Erskine RMS IV · p. 80 · HathiTrust image 88
Document Focus
John, Earl of Buchan and Lord of Ochterhouse, sold the lands of Torphaiquhe in Forfarshire to William Erskine and Agnes Guthrie his wife.
The couple and the survivor of them were to hold the lands in conjunct infeftment, followed by their lawful issue and, failing them, William’s heirs and assigns.
Why This Record Matters
- It explicitly records the marriage of Agnes Guthrie and William Erskine.
- It places Agnes within a documented Forfarshire property settlement.
- The destination clause provides evidence concerning the intended succession of the couple’s lawful children.
Genealogical Caution
Agnes’s Guthrie parentage is not given in this charter. Her marriage is secure; assignment to a particular Guthrie family requires evidence from other records.
Source: RMS IV, charter 349, p. 80. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 5 May 1550 · underlying charter 26 May 1548 Charter 455 · John Guthrie, Bailie of Montrose & Master Richard Guthrie RMS IV · p. 106 · HathiTrust image 114
Document Focus
John Erskine of Dun, provost of Montrose, John Guthrie and Andrew Mylne, bailies, together with the council and community, granted the common lands called Salthauch in feu-farm to John Batye junior, burgess of Montrose.
Master Richard Guthrie, notary public, appears among the witnesses to the underlying Montrose charter.
Why This Record Matters
The entry introduces two recurring Montrose Guthries under identifiable civic and professional roles: John as a municipal bailie and Master Richard as a notary public.
Source: RMS IV, charter 455, p. 106; underlying Montrose charter, 26 May 1548. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 8 June 1550 · underlying charter 27 February 1549 Charter 473 · Master John Guthrie as Witness RMS IV · p. 110 · HathiTrust image 118
Document Focus
John, Lord Glamis, sold lands in Fife and provided Forfarshire lands in special warrandice to John Carnegie, son and apparent heir of Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird, and Agnes Wood his wife.
Master John Guthrie appears among the witnesses to the underlying charter at Edinburgh.
Why This Record Matters
The master’s title helps distinguish this John from the contemporary bailie of Montrose and from territorially designated John Guthries elsewhere in the volume.
Identity Caution
The charter itself does not state Master John’s parentage or branch. His later recurring professional appearances should be compared as a sequence without automatically equating him with another John Guthrie.
Source: RMS IV, charter 473, p. 110. View published RMS image.
3 February 1551 Charter 560 · James & William · Natural Sons of Hercules Guthrie of Over-Dysart RMS IV · p. 127 · HathiTrust image 135
Document Focus
The Crown issued letters of legitimation to James Guthrie and William Guthrie, expressly identifying them as the natural sons of Hercules Guthrie of Over-Dysart.
Direct family evidence: Hercules Guthrie of Over-Dysart is explicitly named as the father of both James and William.
Why This Record Matters
- It establishes two father-to-son relationships directly.
- It identifies James and William as natural sons rather than leaving their status to later interpretation.
- It supplies important evidence for the Over-Dysart / Lunan-associated Guthrie family.
Source: RMS IV, charter 560, p. 127. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 2 November 1551 · underlying charter 18 May 1551 Charter 645 · John Guthrie of Colliston · Witness & Notary RMS IV · p. 144 · HathiTrust image 152
Document Focus
Thomas Maule, fiar of Panmure, with consent of his father Robert Maule, granted a liferent settlement to Isobel Arbuthnot involving Glaister, portions of Skryne and associated mill and fishing interests.
John Guthrie of Colliston appears in the witness group, with the notarial designation preserved in the entry.
Why This Record Matters
The territorial style and professional role together make this a particularly useful identification of John of Colliston immediately before the direct Crown property grant in Charter 647.
Source: RMS IV, charter 645, p. 144. View published RMS image.
3 November 1551 Charter 647 · John Guthrie of Colliston · Lands of Cukistoun RMS IV · pp. 144–145 · HathiTrust images 152–153
Document Focus
The Queen granted and quitclaimed to John Guthrie of Colliston, his heirs and assigns, the lands of Cukistoun in the lordship of Brechin.
John had held two parts of the property and John Fethy of Foddismylne the remaining third; both portions were resigned before the regrant. The lands were thereafter to be held by John Guthrie for one silver penny annually in blench farm, with the customary suits at the lordship’s head courts.
Why This Record Matters
- It explicitly styles John of Colliston.
- It directly documents his heritable interest in Cukistoun.
- It follows the earlier Volume III grant to John Guthrie in Colliston and provides important evidence for the developing Colliston territorial family.
Source: RMS IV, charter 647, pp. 144–145. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 4 April 1553 · underlying charter 30 March 1553 Charter 773 · John Guthrie & Master Richard Guthrie at Montrose RMS IV · p. 174 · HathiTrust image 182
Document Focus
The Montrose provost, bailies, council and community granted Andrew Mylne one tenth of the burgh’s salmon fishing in the South Esk, with associated rights to construct nets, cruives and yards.
John Guthrie appears as one of the bailies, while Master Richard Guthrie is among the notaries witnessing the underlying charter.
Why This Record Matters
It confirms the continuity of the same two identifiable Montrose roles seen in Charter 455 and demonstrates their participation in the burgh’s management of valuable fishing rights.
Source: RMS IV, charter 773, p. 174. View published RMS image.
18 June 1553 Charter 793 · Janet Guthrie & George Crichton of Camnay RMS IV · p. 178 · HathiTrust image 186
Document Focus
Following George Crichton’s resignation, the Crown confirmed two parts of the lands of Camnay in Perthshire to George Crichton and Jonet Guthrie his wife.
The couple and the survivor were to hold in conjunct infeftment, followed by the lawful heirs born between them and then George’s nearer lawful heirs.
Why This Record Matters
The charter directly proves the marriage and places Janet Guthrie within a heritable property settlement in Perthshire.
Genealogical Caution
Janet’s parents and Guthrie branch are not supplied by this entry.
Source: RMS IV, charter 793, p. 178. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 15 September 1553 · underlying charter 12 September 1553 Charter 843 · Gilbert Guthrie, Burgess of Aberdeen RMS IV · pp. 188–190 · HathiTrust images 196–198
Document Focus
The Crown confirmed an extensive Aberdeen burgh grant distributing communal fishing rights in the Dee and Don, together with associated burgh interests, among named fellow-burgesses.
Gilbert Guthrie receives a specified share of the fishing rights.
Why This Record Matters
- It securely documents Gilbert as a burgess or inhabitant of Aberdeen in 1553.
- It gives him an economic interest in one of the burgh’s important communal resources.
- The Index Nominum later identifies the same named Gilbert with the title Marchmont Herald in Charter 2925, creating an important civic-to-royal-office research sequence.
Chronological Caution
The heraldic office belongs to the later indexed appearance. Charter 843 itself establishes Gilbert’s Aberdeen burgess context and fishing rights; it should not be rewritten as though the 1553 charter already styles him Marchmont Herald.
Source: RMS IV, charter 843, pp. 188–190. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 4 December 1553 · underlying charter 13 February 1551 Charter 870 · Hercules Guthrie in Lunan & Janet Anderson RMS IV · pp. 194–195 · HathiTrust images 202–203
Document Focus
William Ruthven of Ballindean sold half of the lands of Drumbernoth in Forfarshire to Hercules Guthrie in Lunan and Jonet Anderson his wife.
Hercules and Jonet and the survivor of them were to hold the lands in conjunct infeftment, followed by their lawful issue and then Hercules’s heirs and assigns.
Why This Record Matters
- It explicitly establishes the marriage of Hercules Guthrie and Janet Anderson.
- It documents their joint property interest in Forfarshire.
- The Index Nominum groups this Hercules with the Over-Dysart entry at Charter 560, making the two records important to compare in reconstructing his family.
Territorial Wording
Charter 870 styles Hercules “in Lunan”. Charter 560 styles Hercules “of Over-Dysart.” The differing wording should be preserved rather than silently converted into one uniform title.
Source: RMS IV, charter 870, pp. 194–195; underlying charter at Lunan, 13 February 1551. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 28 March 1554 · underlying charter 30 March 1553 Charter 918 · Master Richard Guthrie · Montrose Salmon Fishing RMS IV · p. 205 · HathiTrust image 213
Document Focus
John Erskine of Dun, provost of Montrose, John Guthrie and Andrew Mylne, bailies, together with the council and community, granted Master Richard Guthrie, their fellow-burgess, one tenth of the burgh’s salmon fishing in the South Esk with associated fishing privileges.
The grant was made in feu-farm and restricted future alienation to fellow-burgesses resident in Montrose.
Why This Record Matters
- Master Richard moves from witnessing earlier Montrose transactions to being the direct recipient of a valuable burgh property right.
- The charter identifies him as a fellow-burgess of Montrose.
- John Guthrie continues to appear as bailie, strengthening the documentary picture of two Guthries active in Montrose civic government and legal affairs.
Source: RMS IV, charter 918, p. 205; underlying Montrose charter, 30 March 1553. View published RMS image.
Detailed Records · 1555–1566
These twelve records combine professional, territorial and direct family evidence. Master John Guthrie appears repeatedly in legal and witness roles; John Guthrie of Hiltoun and Alexander Guthrie of Halkertoun are securely identified by territorial style; and the records provide explicit parentage for two different men named David Guthrie.
The closing entries also document Margaret Guthrie within the Carnegie family and a David Guthrie serving as perpetual vicar of Dull, illustrating the increasingly varied landed, legal and ecclesiastical settings in which Guthries appear.
Confirmed 23 March 1555/56 · underlying charter 20 April 1555 Charter 1050 · John Guthrie, Notary Public RMS IV · p. 234 · HathiTrust image 242
Document Focus
James Scrymgeour of Glaswell sold property in Wester Glenquharity and Bellentor to Thomas Ogilvy of Wester Craigis and Jonet Fraser his wife.
John Guthrie appears among the notaries public witnessing the underlying charter at Dundee.
Why This Record Matters
The professional designation distinguishes this John from contemporary territorial Guthries and from John Guthrie, bailie of Montrose.
Identity Caution
The entry calls him John Guthrie, not Master John Guthrie. The two identities should not be merged solely because both appear in legal contexts.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1050, p. 234; underlying charter at Dundee, 20 April 1555. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 14 August 1556 · underlying charter 26 June 1556 Charter 1098 · Master John Guthrie at Brechin RMS IV · pp. 243–244 · HathiTrust images 251–252
Document Focus
Thomas Maule, fiar of Panmure, with consent of his father Robert Maule, sold interests in Skryne and its mill to Master James Strachan in liferent and Gilbert Strachan heritably.
Master John Guthrie witnessed the underlying charter at Brechin.
Why This Record Matters
It continues Master John’s recurring presence within Forfarshire legal and property transactions and retains the master’s title that helps distinguish his documentary identity.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1098, pp. 243–244; underlying charter at Brechin, 26 June 1556. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 21 March 1556 · underlying charter 19 March 1556 Charter 1162 · Master John Guthrie as Witness RMS IV · p. 259 · HathiTrust image 267
Document Focus
John Erskine senior of Dun sold the lands of Canterland and Kinnaird in Kincardineshire to Robert Keith in Barnhill and Agnes Ogilvy his wife in conjunct infeftment.
Master John Guthrie appears among the witnesses to the underlying charter at Stirling.
Why This Record Matters
Together with Charters 473 and 1098, the record contributes to a recurring professional sequence for Master John Guthrie before his procuratorial role in Charter 1305.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1162, p. 259. View published RMS image.
23 July 1557 Charter 1195 · John Guthrie of Hiltoun on Assize RMS IV · pp. 266–267 · HathiTrust images 274–275
Document Focus
The charter records a detailed valuation and apprising of lands in Forfarshire. The summoned assize included John Guthrie of Hiltoun.
Why This Record Matters
The entry supplies an explicit Hiltoun territorial designation in 1557 and carries the Eassie–Hiltoun documentary sequence beyond the unnamed “Guthrie of Hiltoun” appearing in Volume III.
Genealogical Caution
The territorial style is secure. The charter itself does not state John’s parentage, so his exact placement within the Eassie–Hiltoun family must come from the wider documentary sequence.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1195, pp. 266–267. View published RMS image.
28 October 1557 Charter 1216 · David Guthrie · Natural Son of the Late D. James Guthrie RMS IV · p. 271 · HathiTrust image 279
Document Focus
The Queen issued letters of legitimation to David Guthrie, expressly identifying him as the natural son of the late D. James Guthrie.
Direct family evidence: the charter itself establishes James Guthrie as David’s father.
Title Caution
The published entry abbreviates the father’s style as “D. Jacobi G.”. It does not use “M.” for Master. The abbreviation is therefore preserved here rather than silently expanding James’s title beyond the wording of the source.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1216, p. 271. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 7 April 1558 · underlying charter 5 April 1558 Charter 1266 · Ninian Guthrie of Kingany & Andrew Guthrie RMS IV · p. 283 · HathiTrust image 291
Document Focus
Thomas Maule, fiar of Panmure, with consent of his father, sold a quarter of the lands of Skryne to his brother Andrew Maule with a detailed succession destination.
Ninian Guthrie of Kingany and Andrew Guthrie appear among the witnesses to the underlying charter at Dundee.
Why This Record Matters
Ninian’s explicit territorial style continues the Kingany sequence documented in Volume III. Andrew’s presence is securely dated but does not carry a territorial designation.
Identity Caution
The charter does not identify Andrew as Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk. He should remain unassigned unless independent evidence establishes that identity.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1266, p. 283. View published RMS image.
3 October 1558 Charter 1305 · Master John Guthrie as Procurator RMS IV · pp. 291–292 · HathiTrust images 299–300
Document Focus
Complex proceedings concerning Forfarshire lands required valuation, apprising and representation of the parties. Master John Guthrie acted as procurator for George Arrott.
Why This Record Matters
Unlike Master John’s witness appearances, this entry explicitly shows him acting as an authorized legal representative for a named party.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1305, pp. 291–292. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 20 July 1559 · underlying charter 10 July 1559 Charter 1355 · David Guthrie · Son of Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk RMS IV · p. 302 · HathiTrust image 310
Document Focus
Thomas Arrott, fiar, with consent of his father George Arrott, sold property including half of the mill of Arrott and Mylntoun to Sir Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird.
Among the witnesses is David Guthrie, son of Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk.
Direct family evidence: the charter expressly identifies David as Andrew’s son.
Why This Record Matters
Volume III directly identifies Alexander as a son and apparent heir of Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk. This Volume IV entry independently identifies David as another son of Andrew, adding an explicit child to the chief-line family structure.
Succession Caution
David is called Andrew’s son, but not his heir. The record therefore establishes parentage without altering the succession evidence identifying Alexander as apparent heir.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1355, p. 302; underlying charter at Edinburgh, 10 July 1559. View published RMS image.
1 May 1561 Charter 1391 · Alexander Guthrie of Halkertoun on Assize RMS IV · p. 314 · HathiTrust image 322
Document Focus
A Crown grant to David Maxwell followed valuation and apprising proceedings concerning lands in Forfarshire and Perthshire.
Alexander Guthrie of Halkertoun served on the Forfarshire assize.
Why This Record Matters
The entry continues the securely styled Halkertoun sequence beyond the Volume III records and documents an Alexander Guthrie of Halkertoun active in 1561.
Succession Caution
Volume III established that an Alexander of Halkertoun was heir of a deceased Alexander. This later appearance does not by itself restate that relationship, so the connection should be made through the broader succession evidence.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1391, p. 314. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 30 June 1563 · underlying charter 30 April 1561 Charter 1471 · Henry Guthrie as Witness RMS IV · p. 334 · HathiTrust image 342
Document Focus
Robert Cullace of Balnamoon sold the sunny half of Balhall with Lichis-croft to Katherine Campbell, Countess of Crawford.
Henry Guthrie witnessed the underlying charter at Edzell on 30 April 1561.
Why This Record Matters
It provides a securely dated Forfarshire appearance for Henry Guthrie before later entries explicitly style a Henry Guthrie of Colliston.
Identity Caution
This charter gives Henry no territorial designation. Similarity of name and region is not enough on its own to prove that he is the later Henry Guthrie of Colliston.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1471, p. 334; underlying charter at Edzell, 30 April 1561. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 6 April 1565 · underlying charter 12 September 1555 Charter 1605 · Margaret Guthrie & Sir Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird RMS IV · p. 376 · HathiTrust image 384
Document Focus
John, commendator of Arbroath, and the convent granted the lands and barony of Athie in feu-farm to Sir Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird and Margaret Guthrie his wife in free tenement, and heritably to John Carnegie, their son and apparent heir.
Family structure stated in the charter: Robert Carnegie + Margaret Guthrie → John Carnegie, their son and apparent heir.
Why This Record Matters
- It explicitly records Margaret’s marriage to Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird.
- It explicitly identifies their son John.
- It places the family within a substantial Arbroath Abbey feu involving Athie and associated lands.
Genealogical Caution
Margaret’s own parents are not named in this charter. Her Guthrie ancestry should therefore be supplied only from independent evidence.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1605, p. 376; underlying Arbroath charter, 12 September 1555. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 22 May 1566 · underlying charter 14 February 1561 Charter 1730 · David Guthrie · Perpetual Vicar of Dull RMS IV · pp. 425–426 · HathiTrust images 433–434
Document Focus
David Guthrie, perpetual vicar of the parish church of Dull, together with John Winram as usufructuary of the church, granted half of the ecclesiastical lands of Dull and associated mill rights in feu-farm to George Johnstone alias MacGregor, burgess of Perth, and Jonet Burry his wife.
The grant was made with the consent of James, commendator of St Andrews, and the convent.
Why This Record Matters
David is not merely a witness. The charter identifies his ecclesiastical office and shows him directly participating in the administration and feuing of church lands.
Identity Caution
Volume IV contains more than one David Guthrie. The vicar of Dull should not be identified with David, son of Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk, or David, natural son of D. James Guthrie, unless another source directly connects them.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1730, pp. 425–426; underlying charter at St Andrews, 14 February 1561. View published RMS image.
Detailed Records · 1569–1574/75
These eight records show an increasingly varied Guthrie presence in later sixteenth-century Scotland. They include Master John Guthrie of Petmowis, an Edinburgh cleric and burgess, Ninian Guthrie of Kingany, a notary named David Guthrie, and a sequence of records for Henry Guthrie of Colliston.
Several royal confirmations preserve substantially earlier underlying deeds. The date of the original instrument is therefore retained beside the later confirmation date wherever it affects the Guthrie chronology.
Confirmed 8 November 1569 · underlying charter 22 October 1569 Charter 1889 · Master John Guthrie of Petmowis RMS IV · p. 483 · HathiTrust image 491
Document Focus
David, Master of Crawford, with consent of his father David, Earl of Crawford, transferred substantial annualrents from the customs and burgh revenues of Aberdeen to Master James MacGill of Nether Rankeillour.
Master John Guthrie of Petmowis witnessed the underlying charter at Carnie.
Why This Record Matters
This entry gives Master John an explicit territorial style, of Petmowis, which distinguishes him from the several other men named John Guthrie in Volume IV.
Identity Caution
The territorial designation is secure. The charter does not, however, establish that Master John of Petmowis is the same man as the earlier Master John Guthrie appearing as a witness and procurator.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1889, p. 483; underlying charter at Carnie, 22 October 1569. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 24 November 1569 · underlying charter 13 September 1569 Charter 1895 · John Guthrie · Edinburgh Burgh Witness RMS IV · p. 485 · HathiTrust image 493
Document Focus
The provost, bailies and council of Edinburgh granted four acres near the port called Newhaven in feu-farm to Alexander Hay, royal servant and scribe.
John Guthrie appears among the witnesses to the Edinburgh burgh charter.
Why This Record Matters
The entry provides a securely dated John Guthrie within an Edinburgh civic and property setting in 1569.
Identity Caution
No territorial, professional or family designation accompanies John’s name. He should remain unassigned rather than being merged with Master John of Petmowis, John Guthrie the notary, or another contemporary John.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1895, p. 485; underlying Edinburgh burgh charter, 13 September 1569. View published RMS image.
30 September 1570 Charter 1928 · Alexander Guthrie · Cleric & Burgess of Edinburgh RMS IV · p. 497 · HathiTrust image 505
Document Focus
Edward Hume, burgess of Edinburgh, with consent of his wife Christine Frog and his son and apparent heir Master John Hume, sold the lands of Langhirdmanstoun and Currie with their mill to James Mosman and Mariota Arres his wife.
Alexander Guthrie, cleric and burgess of Edinburgh, witnessed the charter.
Why This Record Matters
- It identifies Alexander by both civic status and occupation rather than by territorial landholding.
- The combination of cleric and burgess of Edinburgh creates a distinctive documentary identity.
- The same Edinburgh civic sequence becomes more detailed in Charter 2732.
Identity Caution
This Alexander should remain separate from the territorially identified Guthries of Halkertoun, Kinblathmont, Kincaldrum and the principal line unless additional evidence connects them.
Source: RMS IV, charter 1928, p. 497. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 3 August 1572 · underlying charter 29 June 1571 Charter 2086 · Ninian Guthrie of Kingany RMS IV · pp. 545–546 · HathiTrust images 553–554
Document Focus
John Crichton of Ruthven sold an annualrent from the demesne lands of Ruthven to David Tyrie of Drumkilbo and Margaret Fothringham his wife.
Ninian Guthrie of Kingany witnessed the underlying charter at Dundee on 29 June 1571.
Why This Record Matters
It extends the securely styled Kingany documentary sequence into 1571, decades after Ninian Guthrie of Kingany first appears in the earlier RMS volumes.
Chronology
The Guthrie witness evidence dates from the 1571 underlying charter, although the Crown confirmation was entered in 1572.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2086, pp. 545–546; underlying charter at Dundee, 29 June 1571. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 11 March 1572/73 · underlying charter 6 September 1561 Charter 2127 · David Guthrie, Notary Public RMS IV · p. 558 · HathiTrust image 566
Document Focus
The late David, Lord Drummond, and Lilias Ruthven his wife granted lands in the barony of Drymen to James Drummond, their second son.
David Guthrie appears among the witnesses and notaries public to the underlying charter at Drymen in 1561.
Why This Record Matters
The notarial designation supplies a professional identity for David Guthrie in a Perthshire/Strathearn legal setting.
Date & Identity Caution
David’s appearance belongs to the 1561 underlying charter, not to 1572/73. The record also does not identify him with David, son of Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk; David, natural son of D. James Guthrie; or David Guthrie, perpetual vicar of Dull.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2127, p. 558; underlying charter at Drymen, 6 September 1561. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 22 December 1573 · underlying charter 14 December 1573 Charter 2167 · Henry Guthrie of Colliston RMS IV · p. 569 · HathiTrust image 577
Document Focus
David Lindsay of Glenesk, fiar, and Dame Katherine Campbell, liferentrix, granted lands in the barony of Glenesk to Master John Lindsay, rector of Lethnot.
Henry Guthrie of Colliston appears among the witnesses and public notaries to the underlying charter at Brechin Castle.
Why This Record Matters
- It explicitly styles Henry of Colliston.
- It begins a concentrated sequence of three Colliston references in 1571–1574/75 underlying instruments.
- The notarial setting adds a professional dimension to the territorial identification.
Earlier Henry Guthrie
Charter 1471 names a Henry Guthrie without a territorial designation. This later record establishes Henry of Colliston, but does not by itself prove that the two appearances belong to the same individual.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2167, p. 569; underlying charter at Brechin Castle, 14 December 1573. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 10 June 1574 · underlying charter 30 August 1571 Charter 2260 · Henry Guthrie of Colliston · Cupar Abbey Lands RMS IV · p. 599 · HathiTrust image 607
Document Focus
The late Donald, last abbot of Cupar, and the convent granted the lands of Kemphill in feu-farm to Margaret Campbell.
Henry Guthrie of Colliston appears among the witnesses to the underlying monastic charter dated 30 August 1571.
Why This Record Matters
Although the royal confirmation is dated 1574, the underlying charter places Henry under the Colliston territorial style by 1571.
Chronology
This entry is an important example of why the underlying charter date must be distinguished from the date of royal confirmation. For Henry’s personal chronology, the relevant appearance is 30 August 1571.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2260, p. 599; underlying Cupar Abbey charter, 30 August 1571. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 24 March 1574/75 · underlying charter 7 December 1573 Charter 2399 · Henry Guthrie of Colliston · Precept of Sasine RMS IV · p. 645 · HathiTrust image 653
Document Focus
Dame Katherine Campbell, Countess of Crawford, sold the sunny half of the lands of Balhall to Robert Lindsay, her legitimate younger son.
The underlying charter included a precept of sasine directed to Henry Guthrie of Colliston, authorizing him to carry the grant into possession.
Why This Record Matters
- Henry is again explicitly styled of Colliston.
- His role is more active than that of an ordinary witness: the precept directs him to participate in the formal delivery of possession.
- Together with Charters 2167 and 2260, it creates a strong documentary sequence for Henry in regional legal affairs.
Condition of the Register
The published calendar notes that this charter is badly torn in the Register and that some details were supplied from the Registrum Secreti Sigilli. That editorial note should be kept in mind when exact wording becomes important.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2399, p. 645; underlying charter at Brechin Castle, 7 December 1573. The published calendar notes damage to the Register entry and supplementation from the Registrum Secreti Sigilli. View published RMS image.
Detailed Records · 1575–1580
The final eleven entries contain some of Volume IV’s clearest family evidence. They document Master Hugh Guthrie, Christina Rattray and their son Patrick; an extensive Balnabreich family transaction; Mariota Guthrie, daughter of Edinburgh common clerk Alexander Guthrie; and the continuing careers of Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty, James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh, and Gilbert Guthrie, Marchmont Herald.
Several of the royal confirmations preserve much earlier private charters. The dates of those underlying instruments are retained because they often provide the actual date of the Guthrie appearance.
Confirmed 10 July 1575 · underlying charter 16 January 1566 Charter 2443 · Christina Rattray & Patrick Guthrie · Dawgathy / Dalgaty RMS IV · p. 657 · HathiTrust image 665
Document Focus
Alexander, Bishop of Brechin, with consent of his chapter, granted in feu-farm the town and lands of Dawgathy in the barony of Kethik, Forfarshire.
Christina Rattray, widow of Master Hugh Guthrie, received the lands in liferent, while Patrick Guthrie, her son, his heirs and assigns, received the hereditary interest.
Family evidence: the charter identifies Christina as the widow of Master Hugh and Patrick as her son. The Index Nominum separately identifies Patrick as son of Master Hugh Guthrie.
Why This Record Matters
- It establishes the family unit of Master Hugh Guthrie, Christina Rattray and Patrick Guthrie.
- It explains Patrick’s later territorial designation of Dalgaty.
- It documents a liferent-and-fee arrangement in which the widow retained the lifetime interest and the son received the hereditary estate.
Place-Name Form
The charter prints Dawgathy; the Index Nominum uses Dalgaty. Both forms are retained so the contemporary record and the normalized territorial designation remain visible.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2443, p. 657; underlying charter at St Andrews, 16 January 1566. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 29 February 1575/76 · underlying charter 19 February 1572 Charter 2523 · Balnabreich Family & James Guthrie of Edinburgh RMS IV · p. 680 · HathiTrust image 688
Document Focus
John Guthrie of Balnabreich sold portions of the lands of Balnabreich, with its mill and associated rights, to James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh, and Christina Barron his spouse.
James and Christina and the survivor of them were to hold in conjunct infeftment, followed by their lawful heirs and thereafter James’s heirs and assigns.
The witnesses include Master John Guthrie and David Guthrie, sons of the said John Guthrie of Balnabreich.
Explicit relationships: John Guthrie of Balnabreich → sons Master John and David. James Guthrie’s wife is Christina Barron.
Why This Record Matters
- It supplies direct parent-to-son evidence for the Balnabreich family.
- It documents James Guthrie as a burgess of Edinburgh and identifies his wife.
- It records a substantial transfer of Balnabreich land involving several named Guthries.
Relationship Caution
The charter expressly calls Master John and David the sons of John Guthrie of Balnabreich. It does not state James Guthrie’s relationship to John. James should not be turned into another son or other specific relative without separate evidence.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2523, p. 680; underlying charter at Balnabreich, 19 February 1572. View published RMS image.
20 March 1575/76 Charter 2535 · John Guthrie in Auchindarie RMS IV · pp. 683–684 · HathiTrust images 691–692
Document Focus
Sheriff-court proceedings in Banffshire recorded the valuation and apprising of lands in satisfaction of debt. John Guthrie in Auchindarie served among the members of the assize.
Why This Record Matters
The entry identifies John by residence and documents a Guthrie participating in local legal affairs in the northeast.
Territorial Wording
John is described as in Auchindarie, not “of Auchindarie.” Residence or local association should not be converted into a territorial lairdship.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2535, pp. 683–684. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 12 April 1576 · underlying charter 7 April 1576 Charter 2549 · Patrick Guthrie as Witness RMS IV · p. 688 · HathiTrust image 696
Document Focus
Lord Oliphant granted lands and annualrent to Christine Douglas in connection with her marriage contract with Laurence, Master of Oliphant.
Patrick Guthrie witnessed the underlying charter at Kellie on 7 April 1576.
Identity Caution
Patrick is given no territorial designation. Although Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty is documented elsewhere in this volume, this witness should not automatically be identified with him.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2549, p. 688; underlying charter at Kellie, 7 April 1576. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 30 May 1577 · underlying instruments July 1569 Charter 2689 · Alexander Guthrie, Burgess of Elgin RMS IV · p. 734 · HathiTrust image 742
Document Focus
Walter, Abbot of Kinloss, and the convent granted lands at Millegin in feu-farm to William Murray.
Alexander Guthrie, burgess of Elgin, witnessed the underlying instruments executed at Aberdeen and Kinloss in July 1569.
Why This Record Matters
Alexander’s burgess status gives him a distinct northern civic identity and separates him from the numerous territorially styled Angus Alexanders.
Chronology
The Crown confirmation is dated 1577, but Alexander’s witness appearance belongs to the underlying 1569 monastic instruments.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2689, p. 734; underlying instruments at Aberdeen and Kinloss, July 1569. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 30 October 1577 · underlying charters 1 April 1577 Charter 2732 · Mariota Guthrie · Daughter of Alexander, Edinburgh Common Clerk RMS IV · pp. 746–747 · HathiTrust images 754–755
Document Focus
Master David Borthwick of Lochhill, royal advocate, sold to Mariota Guthrie, daughter of Alexander Guthrie, burgess and common clerk of Edinburgh, liferent interests in the lands of Balcarres in Fife and Lochhill in the constabulary of Haddington.
The witness group includes Master Alexander Guthrie, John Guthrie and Master David Guthrie.
Direct parentage: Alexander Guthrie, burgess and common clerk of Edinburgh → daughter Mariota Guthrie.
Why This Record Matters
- It explicitly identifies Mariota’s father and his civic office.
- It documents Mariota as the direct recipient of substantial liferent property.
- The additional Guthrie witnesses show a wider Edinburgh Guthrie network active around the transaction.
Relationship Caution
Only Mariota’s relationship to Alexander is stated. Master Alexander, John and Master David are witnesses; the charter does not specify how they were related to Mariota or her father.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2732, pp. 746–747; underlying charters at Edinburgh, 1 April 1577. View published RMS images.
Confirmed 20 July 1578 · underlying charter 20 April 1575 Charter 2790 · Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty · Precept of Sasine RMS IV · pp. 764–765 · HathiTrust images 772–773
Document Focus
A prebendary property in Edinburgh was granted to John Fenton and Agnes Lindsay his wife in conjunct infeftment.
The precept of sasine was directed to Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty.
Why This Record Matters
The territorial designation confirms Patrick’s identity as of Dalgaty and shows him acting in the formal delivery of possession for an Edinburgh property transaction.
Chronology
Patrick’s sasine role belongs to the underlying charter of 20 April 1575, several months before the July 1575 Crown confirmation of his own Dawgathy family settlement in Charter 2443.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2790, pp. 764–765; underlying charter at Edinburgh, 20 April 1575. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 1 November 1578 · underlying charter 31 March 1575 Charter 2805 · Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty · Second Sasine Role RMS IV · p. 769 · HathiTrust image 777
Document Focus
Robert Balfour, provost of the collegiate church near Edinburgh, granted a tenement and garden to John Fenton and Agnes Lindsay.
The precept of sasine was again directed to Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty.
Why This Record Matters
Together with Charter 2790, this establishes a repeated formal sasine role for Patrick of Dalgaty in Edinburgh property transactions.
Evidence Date
Although confirmed in November 1578, Patrick’s appearance belongs to the underlying charter dated 31 March 1575.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2805, p. 769; underlying charter at Edinburgh, 31 March 1575. View published RMS image.
24 November 1579 Charter 2925 · Gilbert Guthrie · Marchmont Herald & Burgess of Aberdeen RMS IV · p. 804 · HathiTrust image 812
Document Focus
The King granted to Gilbert Guthrie, Marchmont Herald and burgess of Aberdeen, his heirs and assigns, a house in the Gallowgate of Aberdeen.
The property had fallen to the Crown as ultimate heir of the late Thomas Henderson, burgess of Aberdeen, and was to be held by Gilbert in free burgage.
Why This Record Matters
- It directly names Gilbert’s royal heraldic office.
- It confirms his continuing status as burgess of Aberdeen.
- It grants him heritable urban property directly from the Crown.
- The Index Nominum links this Gilbert with the Aberdeen burgess appearing in Charter 843.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2925, p. 804. View published RMS image.
Confirmed 10 December 1579 · underlying charter 13 June 1579 Charter 2936 · Andrew & Margaret Guthrie of Balnabreich RMS IV · pp. 806–807 · HathiTrust images 814–815
Document Focus
Andrew Guthrie of Balnabreich and Margaret Guthrie his spouse sold the eastern half of their lands of Balnabreich, together with cottages and half of the eastern mill-lands, to James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh, and Christina Barron his spouse.
The precept of sasine was directed to David Guthrie of Balnabreich.
Explicit marriage evidence: Andrew Guthrie of Balnabreich + Margaret Guthrie; James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh + Christina Barron.
Why This Record Matters
- It directly identifies Andrew’s wife as Margaret Guthrie.
- It continues James Guthrie and Christina Barron’s documented acquisition of Balnabreich property.
- David Guthrie of Balnabreich appears in the formal sasine process.
Relationship Caution
The charter identifies Andrew and Margaret as spouses and James and Christina as spouses. It does not specify the precise relationship of James or David to Andrew.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2936, pp. 806–807; underlying charter at Balnabreich, 13 June 1579. View published RMS images.
Confirmed 20 March 1579/80 · underlying charter 21 May 1579 Charter 2986 · James Guthrie, Burgess of Edinburgh · Sasine RMS IV · p. 820 · HathiTrust image 828
Document Focus
John Acheson, burgess of Edinburgh, with consent of Agnes Mason his wife, sold George Barron an annualrent from the feu-farms of Hiltoun-Malare in Perthshire.
The precept of sasine was directed to James Guthrie, burgess of Edinburgh.
Why This Record Matters
It provides another professional or quasi-official property role for the Edinburgh burgess. The Index Nominum groups James’s appearances in Charters 2523, 2936 and 2986 under the same burgess identity.
Role versus Ownership
James is responsible for execution of the precept. The annualrent itself was being transferred to George Barron; this charter does not make James the owner of that property interest.
Source: RMS IV, charter 2986, p. 820; underlying charter at Edinburgh, 21 May 1579. View published RMS image.
Recurring People, Families & Offices
Repeated appearances are especially useful when a charter supplies a consistent office, territorial designation or family relationship. Read together, these records reveal continuing legal careers, civic offices and family property sequences that are less obvious when each charter is viewed in isolation.
Where the register or Index Nominum distinguishes similarly named people, those distinctions are preserved rather than combining them into a single identity.
Master John Guthrie · Professional & Legal Sequence
Witness · legal associate · procurator
Master John appears among the witnesses to a Carnegie–Wood property settlement.
Two further appearances place Master John within Forfarshire and central Scottish legal-property networks.
Master John acts as procurator for George Arrott, moving beyond witness status into formal legal representation.
John Guthrie & Master Richard Guthrie · Montrose
Bailie · notary · burgess · salmon-fishing rights
John Guthrie serves as a bailie of Montrose, while Master Richard Guthrie appears as a notary public.
John continues in civic office. Master Richard appears first in the notarial group and then as a direct feu-farm grantee of a share of the South Esk salmon fishing.
Hercules Guthrie · Over-Dysart & Lunan
Father · husband · landed family evidence
Guthrie of Colliston
John Guthrie · Henry Guthrie · landholding and legal service
Charter 645 places John in the Panmure legal network. Charter 647 then gives him a direct Crown grant of Cukistoun.
Underlying deeds preserved in Charters 2260, 2167 and 2399 place Henry under the Colliston designation in witness, notarial and sasine-related roles.
Ninian Guthrie of Kingany
Long-running territorial identity
Ninian appears under the explicit style of Kingany in both Volume IV records, continuing the much earlier Kingany sequence documented in Volume III.
Guthrie of Dawgathy / Dalgaty
Master Hugh Guthrie · Christina Rattray · Patrick Guthrie
Christina Rattray, widow of Master Hugh Guthrie, receives Dawgathy in liferent while Patrick Guthrie receives the hereditary fee. The Index Nominum identifies Patrick as Hugh’s son.
Patrick appears explicitly as Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty in two Edinburgh precepts of sasine.
Alexander Guthrie · Edinburgh Burgess & Common Clerk
Civic office · clerical identity · daughter Mariota
Alexander is explicitly styled cleric and burgess of Edinburgh.
Alexander is identified as burgess and common clerk of Edinburgh, and Mariota Guthrie is expressly named as his daughter.
Burgess & Common Clerk of Edinburgh → daughter Mariota Guthrie
James Guthrie · Burgess of Edinburgh
Balnabreich purchaser · husband of Christina Barron · sasine role
James and Christina acquire substantial portions of Balnabreich from John Guthrie of Balnabreich.
James and Christina acquire additional Balnabreich land from Andrew Guthrie of Balnabreich and Margaret Guthrie his wife.
James, explicitly styled burgess of Edinburgh, receives a precept of sasine in an unrelated annualrent transaction.
Guthrie of Balnabreich
John · Master John · David · Andrew · Margaret
Charter 2523 directly states that Master John and David were sons of John Guthrie of Balnabreich. The Index Nominum also directs the reader to Elizabeth Ochterlony as John’s wife.
Charter 2936 explicitly identifies Margaret Guthrie as Andrew’s spouse and records their sale of Balnabreich land to James Guthrie and Christina Barron.
Gilbert Guthrie · Aberdeen Burgess to Marchmont Herald
Burgh property · fishing rights · royal heraldic office
Gilbert Guthrie appears as a burgess of Aberdeen receiving a share of the burgh’s fishing rights.
The King grants a Gallowgate house to Gilbert Guthrie, Marchmont Herald and burgess of Aberdeen.
The Johns
John Guthrie, bailie of Montrose; John Guthrie, notary; Master John Guthrie in the professional sequence; John Guthrie of Hiltoun; Master John of Petmowis; John Guthrie in Auchindarie; John Guthrie of Balnabreich; and his son Master John are not automatically interchangeable identities.
The Davids
Volume IV includes David, natural son of D. James Guthrie; David, son of Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk; David, perpetual vicar of Dull; David the notary; Master David in the Edinburgh witness group; and Davids associated with Balnabreich.
The Alexanders
The volume contains Alexander of Grandene, Alexander of Halkertoun, the Edinburgh burgess/common clerk, Alexander the Elgin burgess, Master Alexander in the Edinburgh witness group and other surname-only appearances.
The Patricks
Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty is securely documented in the Dalgaty family and sasine records. Charter 2549 names a Patrick Guthrie without the territorial style, and the index does not combine that reference with the Dalgaty entry.
Supplementary Surname Reference
The Index Nominum gives the main heading as “Guthrie (Guthreo, Guthure; cf. Gottray)”. The wording distinguishes ordinary Guthrie spelling variants from a separate surname heading that the editors considered worth comparing.
Charter 2857 · Peter Gottra, Burgess of Irvine
The underlying charter concerns lands of Fegedach on Great Cumbrae and names Peter Gottra among the witnesses, in a group of Irvine burgesses.
Research Pathways
Volume IV is especially useful for following individual Guthrie families across property, marriage, succession, civic office and professional service. The pathways below gather records that can be compared because the register supplies a territorial style, explicit relationship, recurring office or continuing property connection.
These pathways identify documentary connections rather than create pedigrees. Where the charter does not state a relationship, the question remains open.
Guthrie of Colliston
John Guthrie · Henry Guthrie · Cukistoun · legal service
Open Colliston ProfileCharters 645 and 647 explicitly style John of Colliston. The latter gives him a direct Crown grant of Cukistoun in the lordship of Brechin, strengthening the property evidence for the early Colliston family.
Henry later appears under the same territorial designation in legal and sasine-related records. The underlying deed in Charter 2260 places him as “of Colliston” by 1571.
Volume IV establishes John and Henry as successive territorially styled Guthries, but these entries do not themselves state that Henry was John’s son.
Guthrie of Balnabreich
John · Master John · David · Andrew · Margaret
Open Balnabreich ProfileCharter 2523 explicitly identifies Master John Guthrie and David Guthrie as sons of John Guthrie of Balnabreich.
Charter 2936 names Andrew Guthrie of Balnabreich and Margaret Guthrie his wife in a sale of Balnabreich land, with David Guthrie of Balnabreich involved in the sasine process.
These entries do not state Andrew’s precise relationship to John, nor does Charter 2936 restate the parentage of the David named there.
Guthrie of Eassie & Hiltoun
John Guthrie of Hiltoun · territorial continuity
Open Eassie & Hiltoun ProfileCharter 1195 explicitly names John Guthrie of Hiltoun on a Forfarshire assize in 1557.
Volume III had documented David Guthrie of Eassie as hereditary possessor of Hiltoun lands and later an unnamed “Guthrie of Hiltoun.” Volume IV supplies the personal name John with the Hiltoun territorial designation.
The charter does not itself identify John’s parents. His placement belongs to the wider Eassie–Hiltoun documentary reconstruction.
Guthrie of Kingany
Ninian Guthrie · continuing territorial identity
Open Kingennie & Pitforthie ProfileNinian Guthrie continues to appear under the explicit territorial style of Kingany in 1558 and in an underlying charter of 1571.
Combined with the Kingany property and marriage evidence in Volume III, these later references create an unusually long documentary span for Ninian under a stable territorial style.
Hercules Guthrie · Lunan & Over-Dysart
Janet Anderson · James Guthrie · William Guthrie
Open Lunan ProfileCharter 560 explicitly identifies James and William Guthrie as the natural sons of Hercules Guthrie of Over-Dysart.
Charter 870 identifies Hercules Guthrie in Lunan and Janet Anderson his wife in conjunct infeftment of half of Drumbernoth.
The records do not say that Janet Anderson was the mother of James or William. Her marriage to Hercules and their parentage should therefore remain separate statements.
Guthrie of Dawgathy / Dalgaty
Master Hugh · Christina Rattray · Patrick Guthrie
Charter 2443 and the Index Nominum together establish Master Hugh Guthrie + Christina Rattray → Patrick Guthrie.
Patrick later appears twice as Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty in precepts of sasine connected with Edinburgh property transactions.
Charter 2549 names a Patrick Guthrie without the Dalgaty style. The surname and given name alone do not establish that he was the same Patrick.
Guthrie of Guthrie · Principal Line
Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk · son David
Open Guthrie of Guthrie ProfileCharter 1355 explicitly identifies David Guthrie as a son of Andrew Guthrie of that Ilk.
Volume III had already identified Alexander Guthrie as Andrew’s son and apparent heir. Volume IV therefore documents another son, David, without changing Alexander’s stated succession status.
Guthrie of Halkertoun
Alexander Guthrie · continuing territorial sequence
Open Halkertoun ProfileAlexander Guthrie of Halkertoun serves on a Forfarshire assize in 1561.
Volume III documented Alexander of Halkertoun repeatedly and preserved heirship language involving an earlier Alexander. The Volume IV entry extends the territorial sequence without independently restating the succession.
Edinburgh Guthries
Common clerk · burgesses · family and property network
Alexander Guthrie appears as a cleric and burgess of Edinburgh and later as common clerk. Charter 2732 explicitly identifies Mariota Guthrie as his daughter.
James, burgess of Edinburgh, and his wife Christina Barron appear repeatedly in Balnabreich property transactions and in a separate sasine role.
Master Alexander, John and Master David Guthrie appear around the 1577 Edinburgh transaction, but their precise relationships to Alexander the common clerk and Mariota are not stated.
Montrose Civic Guthries
John Guthrie · Master Richard Guthrie
John Guthrie repeatedly serves as a bailie of Montrose.
Master Richard Guthrie appears as notary public and later receives a direct feu-farm grant of a share of the South Esk salmon fishing as a fellow-burgess of Montrose.
Their repeated appearances in the same civic setting are significant, but the RMS entries do not state that John and Richard were related.
Gilbert Guthrie · Aberdeen & Royal Heraldry
Burgess of Aberdeen · Marchmont Herald
Charter 843 documents Gilbert as a burgess of Aberdeen with a share of the burgh’s communal fishing rights.
Charter 2925 styles him Marchmont Herald and burgess of Aberdeen and grants him a house in the Gallowgate.
The two entries create a documentary career spanning civic property interests and service within Scotland’s royal heraldic establishment.
Clerical, Notarial & Legal Guthries
Professional identities beyond the landed branches
Repeated witness appearances culminate in Master John’s role as procurator for George Arrott.
David, perpetual vicar of Dull, participates directly in the feuing of ecclesiastical lands.
Charter 2127 identifies another David Guthrie in a notarial role. He should remain distinct from other Davids unless additional evidence joins the identities.
Questions the Volume Leaves Open
Several records provide strong starting points without completing the pedigree. Agnes Guthrie, wife of William Erskine, and Janet Guthrie, wife of George Crichton, are securely identified as spouses but not as daughters of named Guthrie parents. The same applies to Margaret Guthrie, wife of Sir Robert Carnegie of Kinnaird.
Other unresolved questions include the exact relationship between John and Henry Guthrie of Colliston, Andrew and John Guthrie of Balnabreich, James Guthrie the Edinburgh burgess and the Balnabreich lairds, and the several professional Guthries whose records provide office but not ancestry.
Terms, Sources & Access
The Great Seal register is a calendar of royal charters, confirmations and related instruments. Many entries preserve the substance of an earlier private charter, resignation, marriage settlement, court proceeding or precept of sasine within a later Crown confirmation.
For genealogical research, the most useful details are often found in the legal wording: whether a person is a son, natural son, spouse, heir, liferenter, burgess, bailie, notary, procurator, witness or holder of a territorial designation.
Apparent Heir
A person expected to inherit if the existing succession continues unchanged. The description is stronger evidence than merely being called a son, because it also indicates the anticipated succession.
Assize
A panel summoned to establish facts, value lands or participate in another formal legal inquiry. Membership can indicate local standing but does not establish kinship among the members.
Bailie
A civic magistrate or local judicial officer. John Guthrie’s repeated description as a bailie of Montrose gives him a distinct municipal identity.
Blench Farm
A form of tenure in which only a nominal annual payment was due to the superior, often a penny or other token sum.
Burgess
A recognized member of a royal or other burgh with civic and commercial privileges. Volume IV documents Guthrie burgesses in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Elgin.
Common Clerk
A senior burgh officer responsible for official records and legal documentation. Alexander Guthrie is identified as common clerk of Edinburgh in Charter 2732.
Conjunct Infeftment
A joint heritable settlement commonly made to a husband and wife and the survivor of them, with a stated destination to their heirs.
Feu / Feu-Farm
Heritable tenure in return for a fixed annual duty. Feu charters are especially useful because they often name spouses, heirs and succession provisions.
Liferent
A right to possess property or receive its revenues for the duration of a person’s life without necessarily holding the hereditary fee.
Natural Son
In these records, a son born outside lawful marriage. Charters of legitimation can be particularly valuable because they may state the father’s identity directly.
Letters of Legitimation
Royal letters altering the legal status of a person born outside lawful marriage. In Volume IV they preserve explicit parentage for several Guthries.
Notary Public
A legally authorized writer and authenticator of instruments. A notarial title can help distinguish one same-named Guthrie from another.
Precept of Sasine
An instruction authorizing formal delivery of possession of heritable property. A person receiving the precept might execute or supervise the act of infeftment without owning the property himself.
Procurator
A legally authorized representative acting for another person. Master John Guthrie acts as procurator for George Arrott in Charter 1305.
Resignation & Regrant
Property could be formally surrendered into the hands of the superior and immediately granted again under new terms, frequently to establish marriage, liferent or succession provisions.
Terce
A widow’s legal right to a portion of her husband’s heritable property during her lifetime, subject to the applicable circumstances of Scots law.
Marchmont Herald
A royal heraldic office. Charter 2925 directly styles Gilbert Guthrie as Marchmont Herald as well as burgess of Aberdeen.
Commendator
A person administering the revenues and temporal affairs of a religious house. The title appears frequently in post- Reformation Scottish property transactions.
“Of” versus “In”
The distinction matters. “Henry Guthrie of Colliston” is a territorial designation; “John Guthrie in Auchindarie” indicates residence or association but does not automatically confer a lairdly title.
Witness
A witness confirms presence within a documentary, legal or social network. Witnessing beside another Guthrie does not, by itself, prove a family relationship.
Confirmation Date ≠ Evidence Date
A royal confirmation may be entered years after the original instrument. Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty, for example, appears in underlying 1575 deeds that were not confirmed until 1578.
Parentage Should Be Quoted Precisely
“Son,” “natural son,” “daughter” and “apparent heir” are not interchangeable descriptions. Each conveys different genealogical and legal information.
Territorial Styles Help Separate Names
Alexander of Grandene, Alexander of Halkertoun, Alexander the Edinburgh burgess and Alexander the Elgin burgess should not be collapsed into a single person merely because their given names match.
Office Can Be as Identifying as Land
Bailie, notary, common clerk, vicar, procurator and heraldic office can provide recurring identities even when no landed territorial designation appears.
A Sasine Role Does Not Mean Ownership
Patrick Guthrie of Dalgaty, Henry Guthrie of Colliston and James Guthrie of Edinburgh sometimes appear because a precept of sasine was directed to them. The property was being transferred to someone else.
The Index Nominum Adds Context
The printed index can group recurring identities, identify family relationships or direct the reader to variant names. Its editorial information should be distinguished from words actually printed in the charter entry.
Published RMS Volume IV
Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum — The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland, Volume IV, covering A.D. 1546–1580.
Open Volume IV on HathiTrustIndex Nominum
The personal-name index is essential for locating spelling variants, recurring individuals, territorial designations and editorial cross-references such as cf. Gottray.
Search the Digitized VolumeNational Records of Scotland
Where an important genealogical conclusion depends on exact wording, seals, endorsements or material omitted from the printed calendar, the original record or related archival series should be consulted whenever possible.
National Records of ScotlandRelated Record Types
Sasines, testaments, burgh records, ecclesiastical records, Exchequer material and private family charters can clarify relationships that the Great Seal register leaves unstated.
Explore Research RecordsEvidence & Access Priority
- The original charter, instrument or archival record, where available.
- The exact numbered entry in the published Great Seal register.
- A clear digital image of the printed entry.
- The Index Nominum as a finding aid and source of editorial identification.
- Other contemporary records that can confirm or extend the relationship, office or property history.
- Later pedigrees and family histories, evaluated against the contemporary evidence.
Related Guthrie Research
Many of the Volume IV entries form part of longer documentary sequences extending into earlier or later records. The related family profiles and source collections below provide the wider context for those people and properties.
RMS Volume IV · A.D. 1546–1580
Forty-four Guthrie entries trace families and individuals through a generation of major political and religious change in Scotland, documenting landed succession, marriage and legitimation alongside the growing visibility of Guthries as burgesses, bailies, notaries, clerics and royal officers.
