|
The name Ainslie originally come from the town of Annesley in Nottinghamshire.
It means `Annes Meadow`. When the Ainslies fled into Scotland it became
Ainslie. This means `Ones Own Meadow`. The ` ie ` is the Scottish spelling.
The ENGLISH LORDS OF ANNESLEY fled to the saftey offered by Malcolm 111 with
the invasion of William the Conqueror and settled around Dolphinstone.
WILLIAM DE AINSLIE, canon of Glasgow, witnessed a charter by Walter, Bishop of
Glasgow, in 1208.
THOMAS DE AINSLIE acted as a mediator between the monks of Kelso and the
bishopric of Glasgow during a dispute in 1221.
ROBERT DE AINSLIE, BARON OF DOLPHINSTON and Patrick, Earl of Dunbar nad
March, travelled on a six year crusade of the Holy Land from 1248. It is
believed that The LAIRD OF DOLPHINSTONE who swore fealty to Edward 1 was
Robert of Dolphinstone`s son, John.
SIR JOHN AINSLIE is recorded as the Keeper of The Keys of Dolphinstone Castle
around 1275.
The Ragman Roll of 1296 lists both John de Aynesleye of Roxburghshire and
Johan de Aynesley of Crufurt as supporters of Edward 1.
The AINSLIE opposition to Robert the Bruce resulted in the loss of their
estates. However the family gained favour again when WILLIAM DE AINSLIE became
associated with Robert 11. The estates were returned to him in 1377.
ROBERT AINSLIE ( born 1766 ) became a companion to Robert Burns during his
travels through the Borders.
The military exploits of the early AINSLIES in the Crusades are echoed in the
number of high ranking kinsmen.
GENERAL CHARLES DE AINSLIE commanded the 93rd Highland Regiment who were `The
Thin Red Line` at The Battle of Balaclava in 1854.
The Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edingburgh was built with the fortune of lawyer
DAVID AINSLIE who died in 1900.
JOHN AINSLIE, born in Jedburgh in 1745, was a prominent surveyor.
|
