Lyle

This name appears to be Norman in origin, being derived from D’Lisle, which is often rendered in Latin ‘de insula’, both meaning ‘of the island’. The first of this name in Scotland appears to come from the great Northumberland family of that name and is given as Ralph de Insula, a follower of Walter the Steward, who witnessed a gift of land to the monks of Paisley Abbey around 1170. William de Lile witnessed a charter of certain lands belonging to Paisley Abbey between 1222 and 1233. Alan de Insula witnessed many charters of Alexander, son of Walter the High Steward, prior to 1252. Both John de Lille of Berwickshire and Richard del Isle of Edinburgh rendered homage to Edward I of England and appear on the Ragman Roll of 1296. They acquired the barony of Duchal in Renfrewshire, and they extended their lands during the reign of David II, receiving a charter to the barony of Buchquhan (now Buchanan) in Stirlingshire. Sir Robert Lyle was raised to the peerage as Lord Lyle by James II, and the second Lord Lyle was sent as ambassador to England in 1472. He formed part of that band of noblemen who intrigued against James III and is said to have been present when the king was murdered at Sauchieburn in June 1488. However, he appeared to have been appalled by the actual murder of the king, and joined the Earl of Lennox and other nobles to take up arms to avenge the king’s death. The fortunes of war did not favour them, and Lord Lyle was forfeited in 1489. But the estates were restored shortly thereafter, and Lyle enjoyed high judicial office for the rest of his life. This title is now extinct. Another family of Lyles received the lands of Murthill in Forfarshire around 1375. This family produced a number of distinguished soldiers, including Hercules Lyle, who fought in the Forty-Five and was killed at the Battle of Falkirk in 1746. They subsequently acquired the lands of Gardyne by Forfar in Angus, which they still held in the twentieth century.