MAXWELL ANCESTORS


Anne or Agnes Maxwell was born in about 1765. She married Malcolm MacCallum in about 1786, most likely in Kilbrandon, Argyllshire. Anne died before the 1841 census, when Malcolm had re-married.

Maxwell is not a common surname in this part of the Highlands. Most of the Maxwells found in Argyllshire are in Campbeltown, about 100 miles south of Kilbrandon. How did Ann Maxwell end up in Kilbrandon? Very few Maxwells are found in local records.

These Maxwells are found in these records in or near Kilbrandon:

Valuation Lists

• John Maxwell, tenant occupier, shop and dwelling George Street, Oban, 1855
• James Maxwell, proprietor, dwelling house, Argyle Square; dwelling house and shop, Argyle Square, 1855

Baptisms

James Maxwell of Aros, the son of Robert Maxwell, was the chamberlain to the Duke of Argyll on Mull, beginning in 1787. He came from a family in Kintyre with Renfrewshire origins. He married Janet McNiel. They had these children baptised in Kilninian:

• John Argyll christened 12 Aug 1790 in Kilninian (Mull)
• Neil christened 11 Feb 1792 in Kilninian
• James christened 25 March 1794 in Kilninian
• Mary christened 25 Mar 1794 in Kilninian

Death Certificates

• Captain William Craig Maxwell, single, died 6 August 1860 in Kilninver, age 46 years, son of William Maxwell of Dangavel Renfrewshire and Mary Maxwell, maiden surname Campbell.

Marriages

• Mary Maxwell married James Campbell 10 Oct 1822 in Kilmore and Kilbride (Oban): “James Campbell Oban and Mary Maxwell Glasgow”
• James Maxwell married Jessy McNeill 2 May 1784 in South Knapdale.
  
• Agnes Maxwell married Norman McLeod 2 Apr 1811 in Kilninian (Mull). Agnes was the daughter of James Maxwell of Aros.
• Robert Maxwell married Catharine Steward 3 Jan 1818 in Kininian. Robert was the son of James Maxwell of Aros.
• Mary Maxwell married Allan McNaughtan 24 Apr 1823 in Kilninian (Mull). Mary was the daughter of James Maxwell of Aros.

Did the Maxwells come into the Kilbrandon area as merchants? Were they possibly soldiers sent after the Jacobite rebellion? It is a family mystery.


SOURCES: Mull the Isand & Its People, Jo Currie; parish registers for Kilninian, Coll, and Kilninver on www.scotlandspeople.co.uk.


The Maxwell clan was one of the most powerful families on the Scottish southwest border. The name Maxwell originates from Maccus, a Norse chief who gave his name to Maccuswell, a pool of the river Tweed near Kelso bridge. The clan motto is "Reviresco (I grow strong again". (www.scotclans.org)  It is a Lowland Scottish clan in Dumfries. The clan chief lived at Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfriesshire. The clan does not currently have a chief, but is considered an armigerous clan.

Clan Maxwell tartan