Hamilton
Hamilton was accepted by CDSNA as a sept and allied family in July 2012.
Clan Hamilton is a separate clan recognized by The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs but individuals with this surname should be welcome at Douglas tents and encouraged to become Clan Douglas members. According to many, the current Chief of Hamilton should also be the Chief of Douglas but is excluded from being also Chief of Clan Douglas by the Lord Lyon.
The arms of the Duke of Hamilton include the Douglas arms. The late 15th Duke of Hamilton considered himself a Douglas and was usually seen in a Grey Douglas kilt (according to the Douglas Archives).
In a web article pertaining to the history of the name Hamblenden, the text states,
The title passed to Anne, the daughter of the first Duke. A woman of great intellect and determination, she inherited the title and estates heavily burdened by debts, a situation made worse by a legal dispute with her kinsman, the Earl of Abercorn, who challenged her right to succeed. She had married William Douglas, Earl of Selkirk, and set out to re-establish the family seat, laying the foundations for the building of a great palace.
Scotweb’s article on Hamilton reports:
Hamilton Palace, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire had been the Family’s Seat from 1695, built by Duchess Anne, and her husband William Douglas, 3rd Duke of Hamilton. It had the distinction of being the largest non-royal residence in Europe, reaching its greatest extent under the 10th and the 11th Dukes in the mid nineteenth century. However, excessive subsidence of the palace, (by the families own mines!) caused its condemnation and demolition in 1921. The 13th Duke then moved to Dungavel House, near Strathaven. It was here that deputy-führer Rudolf Hess was aiming for during his doomed peace mission, to see the Douglas, 14th Duke of Hamilton in 1941.
In 1947, Dungavel was sold to the coal board, and then on to the government, who turned it into an open prison. Currently, it is the site of a controversial holding centre for asylum-seekers. The family moved to Lennoxlove House in East Lothian, where today it remains the residence of the Angus Alan Douglas-Hamilton, the 15th Duke.
There is also this charter of “manrent” found in The Manuscripts of the Duke of Hamilton, K.t. (p. 79, 80) for James, first Lord Hamilton, to George, 4th Earl of Angus:
59. Bond of manrent by James, first Lord Hamilton, to George, fourth Earl of Angus. "Be it kende til al men be thir present letlris me James lorde hamiltoue etc., to be cummyn man, aftd be thir present lettris becummys man of speciale seruice and retenew for al the dayis of my lyfe To a he and michty lord George Erie of Angus lord Douglas and wardane of the est and midle marchis of Scotlande foranentis Ingland, before and agaynis al thaim that lyfe or de may, mjne allegiance til oure souerane lorde the king and my bande of seruice til our souerane lady the quene Mary now present alanerli outtane ; promitting me al and aindry detful poyntis and articlis in bande of retenew contenit to obserue and kepe to my lord forsaide as afferis for al the saide tyme : In witnes of the quhilk thing To thir my lettres I haf gert set my sele at Temptalone the xxiii day of the moneth of May the yere of oure lorde a thousande foure Hundred fifti ande sevin yeris."
Hamilton members can learn more about the Hamilton surname and clan from the Clan Hamilton Society website.
SOURCES:
Clan Hamilton Society: http://www.clanhamilton.org/
The Douglas Archives. http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/angus15thdukeofhamilton.htm
Hambleden. http://heraldry.celticradio.net/search.php?id=80&branch=Hamblenden
Hamilton. http://www.scotweb.co.uk/info/hamilton
Hamilton, William A. L. S. D.-H, and William Fraser. The Manuscripts of the Duke of Hamilton, K.t. London: Printed for H.M. Stationary Off., by Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1887. Print.
The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. http://www.clanchiefs.org/p/members.html