Clan Boyle

Clan Boyle
Crest: A double headed eagle displayed, parted per pale embattled Gules and Argent
Motto	Dominus providebit
Profile
Region	Lowlands
District	North Ayrshire
Chief
The Rt. Hon. Patrick Boyle
The 10th Earl of Glasgow
Seat	Kelburn Castle

Clan Boyle is a Scottish clan.

The name Boyle comes from the Norman town of Beauville near Caen. In 1164 David de Boivil appears as a witness to a charter. In 1275 Richard de Boyville held the lands of Kelburn in Ayrshire. In around 1291 Henry de Boyville was keeper of Dumfries Castle, Wigtown Castle and Kirkcudbright Castle. Richard de Boyvil and Robert de Boyvil both appear on the Ragman Rolls in 1296 submitting to Edward I of England. Richard Boyle married a daughter of Sir Robert Comyn.

Six generations after Richard Boyle, John Boyle, his descendant, was killed at the Battle of Sauchieburn, fighting in support of James III of Scotland in 1488. The family estates were forfeited but his son, also called John, had them restored by James IV of Scotland.

Another branch of the Clan Boyle from Scotland settled in Ireland where they became the powerful Earls of Cork. The Boyles also supported Mary, Queen of Scots.

During the 17th century the Boyles supported Charles I of England and they suffered hardships as a result. However the family fortunes were later restored when John Boyle of Kelburn was elected as a Commissioner of Parliament. John's eldest son, David Boyle also became a Commissioner of Parliament and Privy Councillor. In 1699 David was raised to the Peerage as Lord Boyle of Kelburn. In 1703 he was created Earl of Glasgow. He was also one of the commissioners for the Treaty of Union. During the Jacobite rising of 1715 he was a staunch supporter of the British-Hanoverian government and even raised and armed troops at his own expense.