Grant, FAMILY OF.

Grant, FAMILY OF. Among various conflicting theories as to the origin of this family, the most probable is, as the name seems to indicate, that it is of Norman extraction, and that it was introduced into Britain at the Conquest. Occasionally it appears in parts of England; but by the middle of the 13th century it had established itself in the north of Scotland—Laurence le Grant holding the responsible office of sheriff of Inverness in 1263. He and his descendants acquired large territories in the great Caledonian Glen, and also in Strathspey, Freuchie, now Castle Grant, near Grantown, becoming their principal barony and residence. The sixth laird of Freuchie was knighted by King James VI., and his grandson had his lands erected into the regality of Grant—whence their designation since. Sir Ludovick Grant, fourth laird of Grant, married as his second wife, Lady Margaret Ogilvie, daughter of James, fifth Earl of Findlater and Seafield, and, through this marriage, their grandson succeeded in 1811 to the earldom of Seafield, assuming the surname of Ogilvie in addition to that of Grant. Through another marriage, a younger brother of the fourth laird of Grant succeeded to the estates of the Colquhouns of Luss, and, assuming the surname of Colquhoun, became the ancestor of the present family of that name. The Chiefs of Grant (3 vols. 4to, 1883), prepared by Sir William Fraser, K.C.B., for the family, presents a history of its descent, and also shows the dispersion of its numerous cadet branches, many members of which have become distinguished in various spheres of life.