Marjoribanks

From ‘New Lights on Old Edinburgh’ by John Reid, 1894:

page 163

It is impossible to study Old Edinburgh history without everywhere stumbling across men like Moubray of Barnbougle, the Hendersons of Fordell, the Primroses and the Marjoribanks of Ratho – a Midlothian village that was in these days annexed to the barony and regality of Renfrew. The Marjoribanks, ancestors of Lord Tweedmouth, lived for many years in Bell’s Wynd. During that period, and down to a much more recent date, the family were closely connected with local history, two of the name having filled the Lord Provost’s chair, and others having been judges and members of the Scottish Estate. (Thomas Marjoribanks of Ratho in 1540, and Sir John Marjoribanks of Lees in 1814 and again in 1825. Sir John distinguished himself by carrying forward the improvements of the city, and was the chief promoter of the erection of the Calton Jail and the Regent Bridge.) There were various branches of the family, and the name occurs very frequently in the Burgess Roll, particularly from the beginning of the 17th century. In 1535 Thomas Marjoribanks was appointed advocate for the poor jointly with Dr. Gladstanes, who with his colleague’s consent received the magnificent salary of £10 a year. As one of four “honest men” selected by the Privy Council he had also in 1551 to inquire into the great dearth and exorbitant price of “all manner of stuff, alsweill horse meat as mannis meit.” Christian Marjoribanks, believed to be the grand-daughter of the

above, married George Heriot in 1586. At this period Thomas Marjoribanks* of Ratho, presumably her father, was living in Bell’s Wynd, so that there is reasonable ground for believing that Jinglin’ Geordie celebrated his first marriage there.

*It seems that Simon Marjoribanks was her father. See below.

page 66

George Heriot commenced married life in Old Fishmarket Close in 1586 at the early age of 23. The house he occupied belonged to his father-in-law, Simon Marjoribanks, whose name appears in an original receipt as his landlord in 1590. Heriot was married twice – the second time to the eldest daughter of the first Earl of Rosebery’s grandfather (James Primrose).