Maxwell Allied and Dependent Families
• Edgar •

The Edgars seem to have preceded the Maxwells in many of the offices in Nithsdale. They probably lost power due to financial difficulties or problems in the line of succession and came under the influence of the ascendant Maxwells in the 14th Century.

The name Eadgar is from the Old English and means “happy spear.” The first recording of the name in Scotland is thought to have been Eadgar, King of Scots, who reigned from 1097-1107. The Edgars of Nithsdale are thought to be of Gaelic origin, however. Edgar, son of Duvenald, son of Dunegal of Stranid (Strath Nith), had extensive land holdings in Nithsdale during the reign of William the Lion, and his descendants assumed the surname of Edgar. About 1200, this Edgar granted the church of Kyllosburn (Closeburn in Nithsdale?) and the church of Mortun in Strehtun to the Abbey of Kelso.

Richard Edgar of Wedderbie witnessed the second marriage of King Robert Bruce and possessed the castle and half the barony of Sanchar or Seneschar in Upper Nithsdale during that king’s reign. That was probably the same man (Richar Edgar) who was Sheriff of Dumfries in 1329 and (Ricardus Edgar) who witnessed a royal charter of the lands of Dalmakeran about 1316-18. Thomas Edzear or Odeir had a charter of the lands of Kildonan in the Rynes from Robert I, and Donald Edzear acquired from David II the captainship of Clan MacGowan in Nithsdale.

As the two families are intertwined, see also the section on another of the Maxwells’ allied families: Adair