It would be a remarkable occurrence by the kinship system operating at the time if Walter FitzGilbert de Hamilton was not a son of Gilbert de Colville, shown in the Writs of Military Service of 1292 as Gilbertus Coleville, a son of Walter de Colville; of a family well established in Scotland, and which were kin of the Comyns and Umframvilles. He was given the confiscated lands of the former family, and his descendants used the armorial bearings of the latter.

1. Richard de Comyn, Justiciar, m. (1) … (2) Hextilda, dau. of Uchtred of Tynedale. Richard de Cumyn, styled the Chancellor’s nephew, appears to have been the first of the name who held lands in Scotland. Lynton-Ruderic, now “West Linton,” in Peeblesshire, was granted to him by Prince Henry, son and heir of King David I., probably on his marriage with Hextilda, that prince’s cousin. Richard de Cumyn, styled the Chancellor’s nephew, appears to have been the first of the name who held lands in Scotland. Lynton-Ruderic, now ‘West Linton’, in Peeblesshire, was granted to him by Prince Henry, son and heir of King David I., probably on his marriage with Hextilda, that prince’s cousin. We find in Origines Parochiales Scotiae, that, between the years 1152-59, Richard Comyn gave to the monks of St Mary of Kelso ‘the Church of Lynton-Ruderic, with all its rights, and half a caracute of land in the township, for the soul’s rest of his lord ‘Earl Henry, and of his own son John, whose bodies were buried there (in Kelso), on condition that he himself, and Hextild his wife, and their children, should be received into the brotherhood of the convent, and be made partakers of its spiritual benefits’. Between 1165 and 1189, Richard Cumyn, with consent of Hextild his wife, and of his heirs, gave to the Augustines of the Holyrood, Edinburgh, ‘the whole lands of Sloparisfield’. This grant is confirmed by the donor’s son, William Comyn’.

1.1. Richard Comyn, eldest son of the Justiciar by his first marriage.

1.1.1. John Comyn, married Matilda, Countess of Angus, and became in her right Earl of Angus. John Comyn died in France in 1241-42 whilst on a mission there, leaving an infant son, Bertrald, who died the following year. ‘Obeiit Johannes Cumin, Comes de Angus, in Francia’ — Chronica de Mailros’. Matilda married, secondly, Gilbert de Umfraville, Lord of Redesdale, &c., who also became in her right Earl of Angus. Their only son, ‘Gilbert de Umfraville, eighth Earl of Angus, who died in 1307-8, married the third daughter of Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan.— Wyntoun, vol. ii. p. 55. He got with her the manor of Whitwicke, in Leicestershire, and divers other lands and possessions in England, of which he then had livery.

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1. Gilbert Crispin I.
1.1. Gilbert Crispin II., Seigneure de Tillières.
1.1.1. Gilbert Crispin III., m. Hersende de Brezolles, kinswoman of Albert Ribaut, and became enfeoffed in Armentières.
1.2. William Crispin/Colville I. (ob. ante 1084), m. Eve de Montfort, sister of Simon I de Montfort L’Amaury (W. Frolich, trsl., The Letters of Anselme of Canterbury, 1990-1994, nos. 22, 98, 118, and 147).
1.2.1. Wlliam Crispin II. m. Agnes Mauvoisin.
1.2.1.1. Philip de Coleville, of Heton and Oxenhame, in the county of Roxburgh, Scotland.
1.2.1.1.1. Thomas de Colville (cognomento ‘the Scot’), obit. 1219, Constable of Dumfries Castle
1.2.1.1.1.1. John de Colville, of Oxnam. His parentage is confirmed by the attestation (1316) of his granddaughter, ‘domine Eustachie Lachene’, relating to ‘ecclesie de Oucheltrye’ (Melrose Liber, t. ii., 400, p. 363).
1.2.1.1.1.1.1. William de Colville, of Spindlestone, Northumberland. The aforementioned attestation of ‘domine Eustachie Lachene’, states that ‘avus suus dominus Johannes de Coluille’ was succeeded by ‘filius suus legitimus Willelmus’, who married ‘filiam domini Johanis de Normanville’.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas de Colville, ob. ante 1280 (Melrose Liber, t. ii., 400, p. 363).
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Robert de Colville, d. bef. Apr. 2, 1341, m. Katerina (The Scots Peerage, Vol. II, edited by Sir James Balfour Paul, p. 539).
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Robert de Colville, obit. c. 1397.
1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Thomas de Colville, ob. ante February 4, 1403, born in Formartine, Aberdeenshire, m. Margaret Lindsay, dau. of James de Lindsay and Margaret Keith, dau. of Sir William Keith and Margaret Fraser. Margaret Keith’s sister, Janet Keith, m. Sir David Hamilton of Cadzow, 3rd Laird of Cadzow (c. 1330–1390), son of David FitzWalter (FitzGilbert) of Cadzow. David Hamilton was the first of the family recorded as formally using the surname Hamilton, appearing in a writ of 1375 as ‘David de Hamylton, son and heir of David FitzWalter’. Formantine had been held by the Comyns: Petition to the King by John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, complaining that he is deprived of his lands of the thanage of Formartine and Dereleye and distrained for a rent quitclaimed to him by John Balliol, late King; with endorsement ordering an inquisition to be returned to the next parliament. March 1305. Nat. Arch. ref. C47/22/5/66.
1.2.1.2. Thomas de Coleville, m. Matilda d’Aubigny, probably a close relative of Roger (d’Aubigny) de Mowbray, his overlord. (Thomas de Coleville was the ancestor of the Stanhopes).
1.2.1.2.1. Philip de Colville, held land in Thimbleby and Sigston, Yorkshire. He m. Engelisa, dau. and heir of Robert Ingram, a tenant of the Brus fee in Heslerton.
1.2.1.2.1.1. William de Colville, m. Maud d’Albini (Brito), dau. of Ralph d’Albini (Brito). William held one night’s fee of Robert de Gand in Lincs., husband of Gunnora d’Albini (Brito), Maud’s sister. Ralph d’Albini (Brito) was the uncle of William Albini I. (Brito), who m. Matilda, the dau. of Odonel de Umframville (grandfather of Gilbert de Umframville I.) whose family armorial was gules, 3 cinque foils or.
1.2.1.2.1.1.1. William de Colville, m. Beatrice de Stuteville. Her sister, Alice de Stuteville, m. Roger de Merlay, son of Ralph de Merlay, Lord of Morpeth, Northumberland, and Juliana of Dunbar, dau. of Gospatric II. of Dunbar. Roger de Merlay and Alice de Stuteville had issue: Roger de Merlay, who m. Margery de Umframville, dau. of Richard Umframville, and sister of Gilbert de Umframville I.
1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1. Roger de Colville of Bytham Castle, Lincolnshire. ‘Roger de Colville, son and heir of Beatrice gave his share (of the Yorkshire lands of Anselm de Stutteville) to Alice his sister, whose dau. and heir Maud was m. to William de St Quintin’ (William Farrer, Charles Travis Clay, Early Yorkshire Charters: vol. 9, The Stuteville Fee).
1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1.1. Walter de Colville, m. … d’ Albini Brito, of Aubourn and Counthorpe, Lincs., dau. of Odenel d’ Albini Brito, son of William d’Albini Brito I. and Matilda, dau of Odonel de Umframville. Walter de Colville bore or, a fess gules, as a descendant of the Coxwold Colvilles, who bore or a fess gules charged with three lions rampant argent – the charge being the arms of Fauconberge, with which the Colvilles intermarried. Sir Walter de Colville’s lands in Barrow and Thistleton (Rutland) were seized in 1265, but they were restored, and he died holding 2 virgates here of Sir Richard de Seyton by the service of 1 lb. pepper yearly (Cal. Inq. ii, no. 227).
1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.1. Roger de Colville of Bytham Castle, Sheriff of Norfolk & Suffolk, b. c. 1240, d. 1287. He m. Margaret, dau of Richard de Braose, of Stinton, Norfolk, and Alice de Ros, dau. of William de Ros and Agatha de Clare. Richard de Braose was the br. of William de Braose, Lord of Bramber, whose third wife was Mary de Ros, dau. of Robert de Ros and Isabel de’Albini (Brito), whose cousin, Isabel, a dau. of Odenel d’Albini, m. Walter de Colville.
1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2. Gilbert de Colville. The Writs of Military Service show (1292) Gilbertus Coleville performing military service in Scotland ‘due from Gilbertus de Neville’, his kinsman, through the Merlays.
1.2.1.2.1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Walter FitzGilbert de Hamilton. He first appears in January 10, 1295, as a witness to a charter by James, the High Steward of Scotland. Robert de Brus granted to Walter Fitz-Gilbert the whole tenement of Machan which belonged to John Comyn in 1320. It was a medieval ‘norm’ to give forfeited lands to a member of the ‘disgraced’ family. John Comyn was the cousin of his namesake, husband of Alice de Ros, close kinswoman of Walter FitzGilbert. Walter’s descendants bore gules, 3 cinque foils or.
1.2.1.2.1.1.2. Thomas de Colville, m. Asceline, half-sister of Robert de Quincy. Saher de Quency, d. 1190, m., in 1162, Asceline, widow of Geoffrey de Waterville, sister and coh. of William Peverel, of Bourn, co. Cambridge (who d. on Crusade, 1147-48), da. of Robert Peverel, of the same, by his wife Adelicia. 1. Saher de Quincy, m. (after 1136) Matilda de Saint Liz, relict of Roger FitzGilbert de Clare, and mother of Matilda FitzRobert de Clare, wife of William d’Albini Brito II., their son marrying Maud de Umframville, their granddau. being the wife of Walter de Colville, as shown. 1.1. Saher de Quincy II., m. (1162) Asceline, relict of Geoffrey de Waterville. 1.1.1. Robert de Quincy, granted the ancient castle of Forfar by his cousin, William I of Scotland, m. Orabella. His half-sister, Asceline, m. Thomas de Colville, br. of William de Colville, who m. Maud d’Albini Brito, niece of William d’Albini Brito II. 1.1.1.1. Saher de Quincy, one of the 25 sureties of the Magna Carta. The arms of Saher de Quincy are described as or, a fesse gules, which suggest a close affinity to the Colville family. Saher de Quincy m. Margaret de Beaumont, dau. and heir of Robert de Beaumont, 3rd Earl of Leicester. 1.1.1.1.1. Roger de Quincy. 1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth de Quincey, m. Alexander de Comyn, 6th Earl of Buchan, Constable of Scotland (obit. 1290), son of William Comyn and Margaret, Countess of Buchan. Alexander Comyn was uncle of John Comyn, who m. Isabella de Ros, close kinswoman of Walter FitzGilbert. 1.1.1.1.1.1. Elizabeth Comyn, m. Gilbert de Umframville II., Earl of Angus.
1.2.1.2.1.1.3. Philip de Colville, fl. 1268.
1.2.1.2.1.1.3.1. William de Colville, fl. 1270, of Thimbleby & Sigston, d. bef. Feb. 17, 1299, held land in West Heslerton in 1284 (Feudal Aids).
1.2.1.2.1.1.3.1.1. Robert de Colville, fl. 1300-24, tenant of the Brus fee in East Heslerton in 1302. (ibid.).In 1300, Robert de Colville was at the muster at Carlisle, and was responsible for conscripting local men to fight in the Scotland.
1.2.1.2.1.1.3.1.1.1. Sir Robert de Colville, fl. 1330, m. Elizabeth, dau. and heir of Sir John Conyers.
1.2.1.2.1.1.3.1.1.1.1. Sir William de Colville, fl. 1359-76; m. (1) Joan, dau. of John, Lord Faucomberge; (2) Joan St. Quintin.
1.1.2. Robert de d’Armentières, held Whatton of Gilbert de Gand. Domesd. tom. i. fol. 56 b.
1.1.2.1. William de Whatton, pogenitor of the families of Newmarch and Wormley.

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1. Odonel de Umframville. His dau., Matilda, m. William Albini I. (Brito). He was the nephew of Ralph d’Albini (Brito), whose dau., William’s cousin, Maud d’Albini (Brito), m. William de Colville. They were the parents of William de Colville,*  who m. Beatrice de Stuteville, sister of Alice de Stuteville, who m. Roger de Merlay; their son, Roger de Merlay, m. Margery de Umframville, dau. of Richard Umframville, and sister of Gilbert de Umframville I. The latter William de Colville’s grandson, Walter de Colville, m. … d’ Albini Brito, of Aubourn and Counthorpe, Lincs., dau. of Odenel d’ Albini Brito, son of William d’Albini Brito I. and Matilda, dau of Odonel de Umframville. Walter de Colville bore or, a fess gules, as a descendant of the Coxwold Colvilles, who bore or a fess gules charged with three lions rampant argent – the charge being the arms of Fauconberge, with which the Colvilles intermarried. Walter’s son, was Gilbert de Colville: The Writs of Military Service show (1292) Gilbertus Coleville performing military service in Scotland ‘due from Gilbertus de Neville’, his kinsman, through the Merlays. *He was the br. of Thomas de Colville, who m. Asceline, half-sister of Robert de Quincy, son of Saher de Quincy, who m. (after 1136) Matilda de Saint Liz, relict of Roger FitzGilbert de Clare, and mother of Matilda FitzRobert de Clare, wife of William d’Albini BrIto II., their son marrying Maud de Umframville, their granddau. being the wife of Walter de Colville. Robert de Quincy’s son, Saher de Quincy, bore or, a fesse gules, the exact arms of the Colvilles of Coxwold. Saher’s granddau., Elizabeth de Quincey, m. Alexander de Comyn, whose nephew, John Comyn, m. Isabella de Ross.
1.1. Richard de Umframville, Lord of Redesdale, Baron of Prudhoe, did homage for his father’s lands in 1226.
1.1.1. Gilbert de Umframville, succeeded to his father’s titles and lands.
1.1.1.1. Gilbert de Umframville, m. Elizabeth Comyn, dau. of Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan; the said Alexander being the second-cousin of Alice Comyn, who m. Geoffrey de Mowbray, whose family were overlords and very likely kin of the Colvilles.
1.1.1.1.1. Robert de Umfreville, Earl of Angus, d. 12 Apr 1325; m. (1) 1303, Lucy de Kyme, dau. of Philip, 1st Lord Kyme, MP 1295, d. bef. 2 Apr 1323, and his wife, Joan Bigod, dau. of Sir Hugh Bigod, Chief Justice of England. [Ancestral Roots, Line 224-31]. Philip de Kyme was the son of William de Kyme, of Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and Lucy de Ros, dau. of William de Ros, of Hamlake, who was the sister of Robert de Ros, who m. Isabel, dau. and heiress of William de Albini, feudal lord of Belvoir, in Leicestershire, by whom he acquired Belvoir Castle, co. Lincoln, and other extensive landed possessions.
He d. 16 June, 1285, leaving issue by the heiress of Belvoir, William, his successor; Robert, knighted 1296; and Isabel, who m. Walter de Fauconberge, of Skelton, Yorkshire, whose sister, Joan, m. William de Colville.

Gilbert de Colville’s family were probably tenants of their neighbours and kin in Rutland. Their domain of Bytham is only 14 mls from Hambleton, from which the Hamiltons most likely derived their toponym: ‘Gilbert de Umframvill, earl of Angus, to settle the manors of Birtley and Otterbourne, and the demesne lands of Harlow (Hirlawe), on himself, Elizabeth his wife, and his heirs, retaining the barony of Prudhoe and liberty of Redesdale (Northumberland), and the reversion of the manors of Hambleton and Overton (Rutland), now held for life by Margaret, late wife of Gilbert his son, and the reversions of rents in Birtley and Whelpington (Northumberland), and the earldom of Angus (Scotland). N’humb. Rutland. Scotland. 1302/3. (Nat. Arch. ref. C 143/43/13).
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