Dixon Genealogy

[cbmage]genealogy[/cbmage]

The following links provide useful Dixon family related research information and my Dixon family tree (excluding living relatives):

Dixon Surname Forum

Ancestors of William S. Dixon

BRIEF DICKSON FAMILY HISTORY: Iona Johnston Gates copied this section in 1971 from a Mary C. (Dickson) Stephan (Ancestors in bold type). Ref “Border Clans”, Homer Dixon, Virginia State Library, Richmond, VA.

“Dickson” is the usual form of spelling the name In Scotland but in England, where the spelling of the name does not denote a clan or common origin, but where all derive their surname from the sons of various “Dicks”, it is written “Dixon”. The Coat of Arms on the left is the original Coat of Arms.

This clan is descended from Mr. Keith’s Earls Marshall, son of the most powerful family in Scotland where, with the sole exception of the Royal family, the title of Earl was the highest in the kingdom, and who had so many possessions that it was formerly said that they could journey from the north to the south of Scotland and sleep every night in one of their own castles. This descent is proved by no less than three entries in the records of the Lyon Office between the years 1672 – 1694.

It was first registered in 1672 after an act ordered all the nobility and gentry to registered their armorial bearings (some did but some considered it not necessary because they were so well known), “Mr. Robert Dickson, Advocate, descended of ye familie of ye Earl Marshall bears. The Coat of Arms on the left is from around 1672.

Nisbet, in his Heraldry of Edinburgh, say the Dicksons are descended from one Richard Keith, son of the family of Keith’s – Earls Marshall of Scotland, and in proof carry in their arms the Chief of Keigh Marisehal; Richard, called “Dick”, and his sons carry this prefix in the family name. Richard, son of the Great Marshal Harvey de Keth, who died in 1249, by his wife Margaret, daughter of William, 3rd Lord Douglas. The paternal and maternal arms of these families have been combined to form the arms of the Dickson Clan. “Dicksons” of Buchtrig bore the chief of the Keiths with the Douglas Mullets in base, a perfect specimen of composed arms.

Thomas Dickson, Laird of Synopston and Heslesede County Lanark, and Castellane of Douglas, son of Dick de Keth, was born 1247 AD and is the grandson of the a foresaid Henry de Keth, was also a second cousin of William, 7th Lord Douglas, father of Sir James, 8th Lord Douglas, to both of whom Dickson was certainly a trusted friend.

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