[1581/10/65]¹

Concerning the changing of the surname of William Maxwell, apparent heir of Lamington in the surname of Baillie

Forasmuch as concerning the supplication given in by John [Maxwell], lord Herries, William Baillie of Lamington and Edward Maxwell, son to the said lord, making mention that where for fulfilling of a part of the contract of marriage made between the said lord and his said son on that one part, and the said laird of Lamington and Margaret Baillie, his lawful daughter, on the other part, for marriage contracted and shortly thereafter solemnised between the said Edward and the said Margaret, it being convened that the said Edward should receive the surname of Baillie and arms of the house of Lamington in respect of the good deeds and benefits he was to receive of the said marriage, nevertheless, upon considerations moving the said parties, it is condescended and agreed with advice of friends on either part that it shall be dispensed with the said Edward's receiving of the said surname of Baillie for a certain space to come, providing that William Maxwell, eldest lawful son born between the said Edward and the said Margaret, shall instantly receive the said surname of Baillie and arms of the said house of Lamington and an act and statute to be made in this present parliament thereupon; therefore our said sovereign lord, with advice and consent of the three estates of this present parliament and of consent of the said John, lord Herries, William Baillie of Lamington and the said Edward Maxwell, has statute and ordained that the said William Baillie, eldest lawful son and apparent heir born between the said Edward and Margaret, has willingly passed from his surname of Maxwell, received and accepted in place thereof the said surname of Baillie and arms of the said house of Lamington and, therefore, decrees and ordain him now to be called in all times coming William Baillie, and all his posterity thereafter to be called Baillie of their surname, and never to revoke the same nor to receive any other surname hereafter; and ordains letters of publication to be directed hereupon, if need be, in the appropriate form.