Clan Chief

Sir Norman Murray Archibald MacGregor Pringle of that Ilk

26th Chief of the Name and Arms of the Honourable Clan Pringle,
Representor of the Lairds of Craigleith/Newhall – 18th in line,
Representor of the Lairds and Feudal Barons of Stichill – 11th in line,
10th Baronet of Stichill (Nova Scotia).

The Pringle Chiefship:
In 2009, Murray Pringle officially petitioned the Lord Lyon, King of Arms (the Heraldic Authority in Scotland), for recognition as the Chief of the Name and Arms of the Honourable Clan Pringle, however the case was delayed until the his claim for the Stichill Baronetcy was resolved. After he successfully claimed his Baronetcy, he attended the Lyon Court on 27th June 2019 in Edinburgh, where the Lord Lyon heard Sir Murray’s petition. Sir Murray’s case was successful and the Lord Lyon has recognized his entitlement to the chiefship on 18/02/2020.
We invite all Pringles to read the official documents from the Lyon Court.
Petition to the Lord Lyon King of Arms 4th October 2018
Interlocutor or Official Notice from the Lyon Court 3rd December 2018
Interlocutor from the Lord Lyon 28th March 2019
Lord Lyon’s Pringle Findings and Reasons 18th February 2020
Interlocutor from the Lord Lyon 28th May 2020
The Lord Lyons judgment also appears here: CourtOfTheLordLyon.scot.

The Pringle of Stichill Baronetcy:

The Pringle of Stichill Baronetcy (Nova Scotia) was created by HM Charles II on 5th January 1682/3 for Sir Robert Pringle of Stichill, the MP for Roxburghshire. In 2013 there arose a legal dispute between Simon Pringle and Murray Pringle, as to whom was legally entitled to be enrolled as the Baronet of Stichill. HM Queen Elizabeth II personally referred the case to The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (which also acts as the UK Supreme Court) for a legal ruling. They decided in favour of Sir Murray Pringle who became enrolled as the tenth baronet.
 The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council:
‘In the matter of the Baronetcy of Pringle of Stichill’ – Transcript of the Judgment (20/06/2016).
YouTube Video of Judgment: https://youtu.be/gHH614eK8W8

Sir Murray Pringle’s shield as Chief of the Clan

Sir Murray Pringle’s shield as Baronet of Stichill

Clan Pringle members cap badge

It is traditional for ordinary non-armigerous members of a clan to wear the clan chiefs crest badge in a belt and buckle with the chiefs motto upon it, as a symbol of their allegiance to the clan chief.

A Clan Chiefs cap badge

An example of how a chiefs cap badge should be with three eagles feathers

Previous Pringle Chiefs

Historically the Hoppringles of that ilk, afterwards the Pringles of Torsonce, on Gala Water, were heads of the name, Chiefs of the Clan and the senior branch of the family.
The last Clan Chief was John Hoppringle of that Ilk and Torsonce, who died on 21st December 1737. His only daughter, Margaret, married Gilbert Pringle, 2nd son of the 2nd Baronet of Stitchill, carried the estates into that branch of the family (which were sold by the 6th Baronet of Stitchill).
John Hoppringle of that ilk had a younger brother called James Pringle, who had two sons. The eldest called Thomas Pringle, and the younger called James Pringle, who was a wright and burgess of Edinburgh. However, both were dead by June 1756 with no issue. (Ref. -Records of the Pringles of the Scottish Border, pages 26-29. By Alex Pringle, Published 1933, Edinburgh.)
William Anderson in his ‘The Scottish Nation’ quotes Burke’s Landed Gentry (Supp. P. 262), stating that John Pringle of Lees then became heir male, but his family also became extinct in the male line in 1769. Both Burkes and Anderson were wrong, as the Pringles of Symington and the Pringles of Caledon were both closer relatives to the last clan chief, however these families are also believed to have died out.
Gilbert Pringle became their heir to the Pringles of that ilk, and in turn his brother and then nephew, who were Baronets of Stitchill, became heirs to the lands and Arms of Pringle of that ilk. The Pringles of Stitchill therefore became ‘Chiefs of the Name and Arms of Pringle’.

The Arms of the Pringles of that Ilk and Torsonce

The Arms of the Pringle Baronets of Stichill

List of Previous Clan Chiefs

  1. Robert De Hoppryngil. Appears in a charter contained in the Chartulary of Soltre c.1265 in the reign of King Alexander III of Scots. – Source: Registrum Domus de Soltre, page 29 (dates from between 1265 and 1275).
  2. Thomas Hoppringill. Appears in a charter of Robert de Lauder, miles, Dominus de Quarlewood in the reign of King Alexander III, according to Nisbet’s System of Heraldry p.360. Corroborated by the ‘History of Channelkirk’, page 537: “Thomas de Hoppringle is mentioned in a deed conveying lands near Lauder to Thomas Borthwick (1249-86).”
  3. Elias De Hoppringill, Tenant of the bishop of St Andrews. Appears as Elys de Obrinkel in the Ragman Roll on 28th Aug 1296, and  Helias De Hopri’gkil on the attached seal. – Source: Ragman Rolls, page 147 (dates from 1296).
  4. Thomas De Hoppryngel. Squire to William 1st Earl of Douglas from at least 1357.
  5. Adam Hoppryngill. Squire to William 1st Earl of Douglas and James 2nd Earl of Douglas – he probably fell at Otterburn in 1388.
  6. William Hoppringill of that ilk. d. 1391. Mentioned in the Great Chamberlain’s account for year ended 1390-1 and first to be designated Hoppringill of that Ilk, a contemporary of Adam. (It is believed that Robert Hoppringill the 1st of Smailholm was a younger son of William).
  7. Adam Hoppringill of that ilk (and Yerlsyde, 4th part of Fans, Lauderdale). Received from Walter Haliburton of that Ilk a charter of all his lands (a quarter thereof) of Fans as a younger son of William of that Ilk. Sons: 1) William, 2) Archibald, 3) Sir Andrew.
  8. William Hoppringill of that ilk. d. 1458. Appeared as William Hoppringill of that Ilk on an inquest in Lauder on 31 Oct 1440 under Laurence of Abethnethy re the lands of Samuelston (MSS Duke of Athol and Earl of Home). No sons but one daughter: Mariote Hoppringill.
    • Mariote Hoppringill, heiress and a widow, she took Hoppringill, Glengelt, Kirktonhill and Muirhouse. Glengelt was given to Lord Borthwick and Hoppringill was later recovered by Adam of that Ilk.
    • Archibald de Pringil, d. 1479. Younger brother of William (2) Hoppringill of that ilk. Appeared in Lauder under Cranston of Corsbie on the retour of William, son of Lord Abernethy in the lands of Lyleston and Oxton on 30 Apr 1461 (RH6/361) He was never designated ‘of that Ilk’ either before nor after death. Archibald had issue with Elizabeth Hoppringill [thought to be the daughter of Robert Hoppringill 1st of Smailholm]: Adam (his heir) and, we believe, William of Craigleith, Constable of Cessford Castle who was the ancestor of the Pringles of Stitchill, Alexander of Trinlyknowe and David in Tynnes.
  9. Adam Hoppringill of Burnhouse and later of that ilk and Caverton, Roxburghshire (son of Archibald) d. 1494, Royal Guardsman of King James III of Scots. Grandson of Adam (2) inherited Fans and received by charter the lands of Caverton forfeited by Robert, Lord Boyd and recovered Hoppringill in 1480. He was referred to as the late Adam Hoppringill of that Ilk in 1494.  Adam had issue: Alex (his heir), Elizabeth m. William Spottiswood of that Ilk, Margaret m. apparently Patrick Crichton of Luton, Isabella, Prioress of Coldstream Abbey.
  10. Alexander Hoppringill of that ilk and Burnhouse. d. 1530. A minor in 1494 he witnessed a charter of the lands of Choicelee granted by William Cockburn of Langton to his brother Christopher in 1504. In 1526 he and his sons John, James and George are respited for art and part in a slaughter (P.S.). He died before 20 May 1530. Alexander had issue: John (his heir), James of Newbattle, George, household servant of the king, William (ancestor of the Pringles of Lees) household servant of the king, Robert prebender of Arniston, Margaret m. Christopher Cockburn of Choicelee, Agnes m. John Houston of that Ilk, Jonet Prioress of Coldstream Abbey.
  11. John Hoppringill of that ilk, Torsonce and Burnhouse. d. 1555.  In 1530 John gets a gift of the non-entry of the quarter lands of Fans and also the lands of Caverton. In 1540 he is confirmed in the lands of Caverton. In 1541 he receives a 5-year tack of Torsonce, Torsonce Mill and Crunzian; while his mother gets a similar tack of Cordlain. In 1544 Walter Ker of Cessford pays a grassum to the Cardinal for the feu of Torsonce, Crunzian, Plenploth, and Stow mill. In 1549 John appeared before the Lords of Council stating that his neighbours were encroaching on Hoppringill, Burnhouse, Langmuir and Kittyflat which were his by heritage and had belonged to his predecessors past memory knowing that the evidents of his bounds were burnt and destroyed by the English army after the battle of Pinkie. John’s Will was registered on 14 Jun 1555. John had issue: Thomas (his heir), Michael, James in the Bow (Tutor), Archibald in Torquhan, Elizabeth Prioress of Coldstream, Margaret m. Clement Mauchen of Pilton, Cramond.
  12. Thomas Hoppryngill of that ilk and Torsonce. d.1566. In 1555 a dispensation of marriage was granted in favour of Thomas and Isabella daughter of George of Torwoodlee within the fourth degree of consanguinity. In October 1555 Walter Ker of Cessford alienates to him the lands of Torsonce, Crunzian, Cordlain, Stow mill, free entry to the commons of Stow and Muirhouse for which John signs and delivers a Bond of Manrent; seal attached, on the shield a bend charged with 3 escallops, legend round the circumference S. THOME HOPPRINGILL (C.L.). Thomas died late in 1566. By his spouse Elizabeth Pringill of Torwoodlee he has issue: James (his heir) and George.
  13. James Hoppringill of that ilk. d. 1606. In 1567 Robert Hoppringill (great uncle), prebendary in the College of Crichton gives James sasine on behalf of the Archbishop of St Andrews, Langmuir, Burnhouse, Kittyflat, Bow and Cathie (L.C. 824). In Dec 1580 James, as heir of Adam his abavus (great-great-grandfather) is retoured in Yerlsyde and Spencerland or the quarter of Fans and on sasine pays £845 to the Exchequer. In May 1581 James contracts to marry Elizabeth Edmonston, relict of Nicol Elphinston and daughter of Eupham Wauchope, Lady Edmonston, cautioner George Hoppringill of Newhall. In 1582, James now twenty registers an Interdiction prohibiting himself from entering a bond or obligation affecting his lands without the consent of Sir James Edmonston of that Ilk, John Ker of Littledean, James Hoppringill of Whytbank and John Hoppringill of Buckholm, or any two of them, Sir James Edmonston or John Ker being one: the 5-year tack of half Hoppringill  to James Hoppringill of Whytbank and his spouse Elizabeth Douglas to remain for reasons known to the surname: subscribed “James Hoppringill of that Ilk”: Hoppringill witnesses, Malcolm of Cortleferry, George, brother to Whytbank, George of Newhall and James in Bow, [uncle to the subscriber] (A.D.). In Nov 1591, James of that Ilk, James of Whytbank, John of Buckholm, George of Blindlee, George of Newhall and Thomas of Trinlyknowe become caution for one another. On 26 Jul 1597 James subscribes to the Hoppringills mutual Bond of Manrent – to which the signatories were: James of Smailholm, George of Torwoodlee James of Whytbank, George of Blindlee, James of that Ilk, James, younger of Whytbank, George, younger of Newhall (S.W.). James died in Jun 1606. By his spouse Elizabeth Edmonston, he had issue: John (his heir), Robert, and Eupham, m. George son and heir of Patrick Brown of Coalston (G.S., 1614).
  14. John Pringill of Torsonce. d. 1626. In Sep 1606 Robert, John’s brother is one of twenty Pringills finding caution not to harm Sir Robert Stewart of Shillinglaw. In May 1607, John gets sasine to Torsonce, Cordlean with pasturage and entry to the commons of Stow and Muirhouse, Stow mill with its lands and astricted multures. And the lands and mill of Plenploth with pasturage in Lugate common all held of Lord Roxburgh, the superior and of the Archbishop of St Andrews. John gets from the Archbishop the lands of Hoppringill, Langmuir, Burnhouse, Kittyflat, Bow, Cathie and Torquhan. In 1614 John receives a royal feu charter of his Fans lands, called Spencerfield and Yerlsyde (G.S.). Anna Heriot, John’s first wife died in Dec 1614. In Mar 1620, John was among the tenants of Gala Water put to the horn by the keeper of the waters but the keeper not compearing, the horning was annulled. (A.D.). In 1625, John was JP for the shire of Edinburgh. And in the same year he and his son James are infefted anew by the Archbishop to his lands (G.S.). In May 1631 a contract for marriages made between James, his eldest son, and Margaret, dau. of Sir George Ramsay of Wylliecleuch, bro. of the Earl of Holderness. John died on 27 Aug 1626. John had issue by Anna Heriot: James (his heir) and Elizabeth m. Sir Walter Murray of Livingstone, third son of Sir Gideon, first of Elibank (S.P.). And by Margaret Pringill of Whytbank he had Issue: Thomas of Symington, William, John in Watherston, who had issue, Eupham m. George, younger of Muirhouse, Jonet, Jeane m. (1st) William Scott in Linton, (2nd) Walter Scott of Satchells (A.D. 1667) and Margaret m. George Kier in Hatton Mains in 1635.
  15. James Hoppringle of that ilk and Torsonce. d. 1669. In Jul 1634, James had disponed to him for acting as cautioner to Sir George Ramsay the 12 husbandlands of Wylliecleuch. These lands were apprised by James from John Ramsay, grandson of Sir George and assigned by him to Patrick Brown of Coaltson. Litigation on the matter took place between the parties in 1654 (A.D. Scott). In 1648, James was appointed a commissioner for war for Edinburgh and Berwickshire (A.P.). James was a prisoner in the Tolbooth from Feb 1657 to Mar 1658 whilst his son George was soldiering in Prussia. In Jul 1659, George fear of Torsonce, now at home subscribed to a contract with the right worthy James Hoppringill of that Ilk, his father in which in consideration of his father having disponed to him all his lands and certain great sums owing to him he undertakes to keep his father skaithless reserving to his father the lands of Fans, Hoppringill, Langmuir and Kittyflat and the right to cut the woods of Torsonce, Bow and Torquhan (R.D.). In Jan 1664 James moves for suspension of a horning against him because he was a prisoner in the Tolbooth from Nov 1662 to Feb 1663 and could not attend (A.D., Durie). James died in 1669. James had issue by his first wife Margaret Ramsay of Wylliecleuch: George (his heir), William b 1637, James of Rowchester b. 1639, John factor of the Earl of Lauderdale (who went to Ireland and became the ancestor of the Pringles of Caledon), Margaret m. George Kier, tenant in Hatton Mains late in Ravelston, Elisabeth b. 1641 m. George Pringle of Halltree. And by his second wife, Elizabeth Scott, m 1658, he had no issue.
  16. Lieutenant-Colonel George Hoppringle of that ilk and Torsonce. d. 1684. Captain in the Royalist Army of Charles II, in May 1676 appointed Lieut.-Colonel of the Duke of Monmouths and Buccleuchs Militia Regiment of Foot. In 1667 George receives from Marion, spouse of Lord Cranston, sasine of four husbandlands in the East third of Smailholm. George died in Oct 1684. George and his wife, Agnes, dau of William Borthwick, 3rd of Soutra (S.P.) had issue: John (his heir) and James in Fans and later in Yair.
  17. John Hoppringil of that ilk and Torsonce. d. 1737. In Sep 1681 a contract of marriage was made between John, younger, of Torsonce and Grissell, eldest daughter of Hugh Scott of Galashiels; witnesses, Patrick, Master of Polwarth, John Pringle, younger, of Stichill, Francis Scott of Mangerton, Walter Pringle, advocate, James, the young laird’s brother, and others (S.E.). In 1696, John proved before the Lords that the whole barony was thirled and astricted to the mill of Stow, and the right thereto had been disponed to his ancestor in 1543 by Andrew Ker of Cessford who was the immediate vassal of the Bishop of St Andrews. In Jul 1698 he was appointed a commissioner of supply for Edinburgh and Berwick shires (A.P.). In Sep Hugh Scott acquired certain adjudicated lands and disponed them to John and John, now in possession of the whole, received a new Royal charter of them, paying the feu duties to King William instead of the Archbishop and in Dec he and his spouse got sasine of the same with delivery of earth and stone (S.E.). In Dec 1712 John Hoppringill of that Ilk nominates as Curators of Margaret, his only daughter during her minority Sir John Pringle of Stichill, Sir Walter Pringle and Robert Pringle, advocates, Thomas Pringle, W.S., George Pringle of Greenknowe and Thomas Scott, brother of Sir James Scott of Gala, her uncle. Between 1693 and 1704 John had eight children, all of whom were dead except Margaret, with whom, as his heiress, the long descended Hoppringills of that Ilk would come to an end – a fate that had already befallen the Pringles of Smailholm, Blindlee and Buckholm. In Aug 1732 an instrument of sasine certain lands were disponed to Thomas Pringle W.S. In 1733 a contract of marriage was made between Gilbert Pringle, merchant, burgess of Edinburgh (brother of Thomas and Robert of Stichill and Margaret Hoppringill (S.W.). John died on 21st Dec 1737.
    • Margaret Pringle, d.1738. Margaret, heiress , m. Gilbert Pringle of Stichill and survived her father only three months dying at Torsonce in Mar 1738 aged forty-two years. Gilbert survived Margaret many years and died at Torsonce on 3rd Sep 1765. He left a daughter Frances to whom his brother Sir Robert of Stichill, his sole executor and legatee, was to pay £300 sterling (T.E., 1766).
  18. Gilbert Pringle of Torsonce, d.1765 by right of his wife Margaret Pringle. Son of the 2nd Baronet of Stichill.
  19. Sir Robert Pringle, 4th Laird of Stitchill, 3rd Baronet. (1745-1779) Heir to his brother Gilbert Pringle of Torsonce.
  20. Colonel Sir James Pringle, 5th Laird of Stichill, 4th Baronet. Colonel in the 21st Regt. Royal Scots Fusiliers. Also served in the Royal Company of Archers of Scotland and as H.M. Master of Works Scotland and MP Berwicks 1761-79. (1726-1809). His portrait can be seen on the Royal Company of Archers website.  
  21. Sir John Pringle, 6th Laird of Stichill, 5th Baronet. (1784-1869) Sold Stichill and moved to the Isle of Wight. 
  22. Major Sir Norman Pringle of Newhall, 6th Baronet, of the 21st Regt. Royal Scots Fusiliers. (1787-1870). British Consul in Stockholm and Dunkirk.
  23. Colonel Sir Norman William Drummond Pringle of Newhall, 7th Baronet. 1st Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment. JP Selkirk. Member of the Royal Company of Archers. (1836-1897).
  24. Captain Sir Norman Robert Pringle of Newhall, 8th Baronet. (1871-1919). Newhall was sold by his widow.
  25. Sir Ronald Steuart Pringle, de jure 9th Baronet. (1905-1968). Tea planter in Africa. 
  26. Sir Norman Murray Archibald MacGregor Pringle of that ilk, 10th Baronet of Stichill. (1941-present).
    • Alastair Steuart Ronald Pringle, son and heir of Sir Murray. (1972-present).

For more information about Clan Chiefs, see:

ClanChiefs.org.uk – The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs

Clans, Families and Septs, by Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw, Bt.

Wikipedia – Scottish Clans

Wikipedia – Scottish Clan Chief

Wikipedia – List of Scottish Clans