Glenesk History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Glenesk was first found in Angus (Gaelic: Aonghas), part of the Tayside region of northeastern Scotland, and present day Council Area of Angus, formerly known as Forfar or Forfarshire, where they had been anciently seated and the best evidence presented shows them to be descended either directly or indirectly from the ancient Earls of Panmure. This earldom was acquired by the Maules, a noble Norman family descended from Guarin de Maule living in 960 A.D. He was a rich Parisian and was the Seignior of Maule. His son Guarin, and his brother Ansold, were at the Battle of Hastings. Guarin's son, another Guarin, acquired the Lordship of Hatton in Yorkshire in 1086. Robert, his son, followed David Earl of Huntingdon in 1138. David would later become King David of Scotland. Robert was granted lands in Angus. His son fought at the Battle of the Standard in 1138. Descended were the Earls of Panmure, ancestors of the Douglas Clan. Christian, the widow of Sir Peter Maule of Panmure, deeded the Clan lands in 1256 to Sir John of Glenesk, the first to use the name Glenesk.