LEADERS

Chiefs of Scotland's Fleming Clan

The Fleming family served the monarchs of Scotland with great skill and loyalty over five centuries. In recognition of this service, King David II created Malcolm Fleming of Fulwood Earl of Wigtown in 1342; James II created Robert Fleming of Biggar and Cumbernauld Lord Fleming in 1458; and James VI created John, 6th Lord Fleming, Earl of Wigtown in 1606.

These and other leaders of the family also suffered through the ups and downs of Scotland's political struggles down the years, with David Fleming assassinated in 1406; Malcolm Fleming executed for treason in 1440 (subsequently exonerated); John, 2nd Lord Fleming assassinated in 1524; Malcolm 3rd Lord Fleming killed in battle in 1547; James, 4th Lord Fleming poisoned in 1558 while on an embassy to France; while John 5th Lord Fleming was attainted for treason in 1568 and killed by friendly fire in 1572.

Their stories are among those of 22 family leaders from 1342 to 1867 that are available by clicking any of the tiles set out below. The stories of 7 earlier family leaders, ancestors of the Flemings of Biggar, are available here.

Malcolm of Fulwood
1st Earl of Wigtown

Thomas of Fulwood
2nd Earl of Wigtown

Malcolm
of Biggar

David of Biggar
and Cumbernauld

Malcolm of Biggar
and Cumbernauld

Robert
1st Lord Fleming

John
2nd Lord Fleming

Malcolm
3rd Lord Fleming

James
4th Lord Fleming

John
5th Lord Fleming

John
1st Earl of Wigtown

John
2nd Earl of Wigtown

John
3rd Earl of Wigtown

John
4th Earl of Wigtown

William
5th Earl of Wigtown

John
6th Earl of Wigtown

Charles
7th Earl of Wigtown

Clementina
Lady Elphinstone

John Elphinstone
12th Lord Elphinstone

Charles Elphinstone-Fleming
of Cumbernauld

John Elphinstone-Fleming
14th Lord Elphinstone

Cornwallis Maude-Fleming