Lord Kinfauns

Lord Kinfauns is a title of nobility and baronial rank held by the Irish, Roman Catholic, Commane family. The lordship was granted in 1487 by King James III of Scots and in 1608 by King James I of Ireland, but was possibly created earlier for Sir Thomas Charteris around 1340.

History

The title started with Sir Thomas Charteris around 1340, according to legend. He was a Frenchman who moved to Scotland. Stories say he was a pirate before he became a knight. He helped Sir William Wallace and King Robert the Bruce fight for Scotland, earning the title for his bravery.

In 1487, the title was officially recorded in a document called the Great Seal. The Charteris family held the title for many years. In 1552, Sir John Charteris, the second lord, was killed in a fight with another family. Another Sir John Charteris, the third lord, refused to give up during a siege (attack on a fortified place) in a war involving Mary, Queen of Scots. Quoted in contemporary narrative as:

Current Lord

The current Lord Kinfauns is Fergus Commane born in 1952. In the Gaelic nobility of Ireland, he is The Commane, Chief of Clan Ó Comáin. His son, Antoin Commane, is the heir (next in line) to the title. Fergus is the 26th Lord Kinfauns. His wife is Maria, Lady Kinfauns.

His lordship is custodian (person who takes care) of Killone Abbey and the Holy Well of St John the Baptist, important religious places in County Clare, Ireland.

Seat

The family lives at Newhall House and Estate in County Clare, Ireland.

Kinfauns Name

The name Kinfauns comes from the Gaelic words ceann-fauns, meaning "head of the slope." This refers to the Sidlaw Hills near the village of Kinfauns in Scotland.

Duties

The Lords Kinfauns were granted by the Crown the hereditary (passed down through family) office of admiralty over the River Tay in Scotland. This means they protect the river’s fish and stop people from fishing illegally. Long ago, ships on the river would salute (show respect to) Kinfauns Castle as they passed.