History of the Barclay/Barkley Clan

Roger de Berchelai came to England with William the Conqueror and was granted Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire. This early form of the name was believed to be the Anglo-Saxon version of ‘beau’ meaning beautiful, and ‘lee’, a meadow or field. Roger was mentioned in the Domesday Book as well as his son, John. In 1069 John de Berchelai accompanied Margaret (later St. Margaret) to Scotland. In gratitude for his service, King Malcolm (Canmore) granted him lands of Towie, near Turriff, in Aberdeenshire, as well as the title, Barclay of that Ilk. … The Barclays formed important alliances and held land throughout the northeast of Scotland, principally Towie, Mathers, Gartley and Pierston in Aberdeenshire. … Throughout Scotland, they played important roles in national affairs. … One of the major Barclay families was established at Urie near Stonehaven in Kincardineshire. The first Laird, Colonel David Barclay, was a professional soldier serving with such armies as that of Gustavus Adolphus. After the war, David Barclay became a Quaker. This volume is divided in two parts: Register Report of David Barclay of Urie and Outline Descendant Tree of David Barclay of Urie. Illustrations, maps and a full-name index enhance the text.