Johnstone, FAMILY OF

Johnstone, FAMILY OF, takes its surname from the lordship of Johnstone in Annandale, Dumfriesshire. In former days it was one of the most powerful and turbulent clans of the west Borders, and was at constant feud with its neighbours, especially the Maxwells. Three branches of the name still exist, Johnstone of Annandale, Johnstone of Westerhall, and Johnston of Hilton and Caskieben in Aberdeenshire. The first named, which retained the ancient patrimony, was ennobled by Charles I., and became successively Lords Johnstone of Lochwood, Earls of Hartfell, and Earls and Marquises of Annandale. These titles, being limited to heirs-male, became dormant in 1792, and more than once rival claims for their revival by the Annandale and Westerhall branches have been repelled by the House of Lords. Both the houses of Westerhall and Caskieben enjoy knightly rank, and a branch of the former was in 1881 raised to the peerage as Baron Derwent.