Earl of Errol
{{Short description|A title of nobility in Scotland}}
{{About|the baronage title|the peerage title|Earl of Erroll}}{{Multiple issues|
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{{Infobox hereditary title|name=Earldom of Errol|image=150px
180px|caption=Azure, a sword palewise Proper hilted and pommelled Or the pommel charged with a cross Sable, surmounted of two engrailed chevronels, in chief two fleur-de-lis of the Second.|creation_date=1546|creation=Baronage of Scotland|monarch=Mary, Queen of Scots|first_holder=Andrew Hay, 8th Earl of Erroll|present_holder=Dr David Willien, Earl of Errol|heir_presumptive=Lukas Willien, Younger of Errol|remainder_to=heirs male of the body and assignees|former_seat=Slains Castle|motto=INVIA VIRTUTI NULLA EST VIA
(No Road is Impassable to Virtue)}}
Earl of Errol (or Erroll), in the County of Perth, is a title in the Baronage of Scotland. It was created by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1546 for Andrew Hay, 8th Earl of Erroll. It is not to be confused with Earl of Erroll, both of which had been held in the same family until 20th century.
History
The earldom traces its origins to the medieval Scottish nobility, derives from the village of Errol in Perth and Kinross. The lineage began with the Hay family, who gained prominence in Fife. The first Hay of Errol fortified his social and territorial standing through marriage to a member of the indigenous aristocracy in Fife, which consolidated his holdings in Errol.{{Cite web |title=House Hay of Erroll – CLAN HAY |url=https://www.clanhay.org/history/house-hay-of-erroll/ |access-date=2025-05-27 |language=en-GB}}{{Independent source inline|date=June 2025}}
File:New Slains Castle - geograph.org.uk - 7565330.jpg
In 1546, Queen Mary formally confirmed and regranted the lands, earldom, and barony of Errol to Andrew Hay, 8th Earl of Erroll, son of George Hay, 7th Earl of Erroll, including various holdings like manors, gardens, orchards, mills, fisheries, and the family's right of patronage over local churches and chaplainries. George Hay personally resigned these holdings to the Crown, and the Queen, while confirming the regrant, reserved a liferent for George, allowing him continued use and income from the properties during his lifetime.{{Cite book |last=Paul |first=James Balfour |url= |title=Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum, A.D. 1306-1668 |publisher= |year=1882 |volume=3 |location=General Register House |pages=751 |language=la |trans-title=Register of the Great Seal of Scotland}}
The title remained with the Earls of Erroll for several centuries until the early 20th century, when it came into the possession of Sir John Ellerman, a prominent shipowner and investor.{{Cite book |url= |title=Building: (1916) |date=1916 |publisher=Builder House |language=en}} The title is currently held by Dr David Willien, baron of Tulloch, who succeeded in 2021 by way of assignation.{{Cite web |title=The Feudal Baronies of Scotland |url=https://debretts.com/directories/other-titles-2/the-feudal-baronies-of-scotland/ |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Debrett's |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Burke's Peerage Revised Families |url=https://www.burkespeerage.com/new_records.php?record=WILLIEN |access-date=2025-06-21 |website=Burke's Peerage}}
Earls of Errol (1546)
{{Incomplete list|date=May 2025}}
See Earl of Erroll for earlier Earls of Errol.
- Sir John Ellerman, 1st Bt., Earl of Errol (1862—1933)
- Dr David Willien, Earl of Errol (b. 1981)
The heir presumptive is the present holder’s nephew, Lukas Jean Robert Willien (b. 2011).
Arms
{{Infobox COA wide|name=the Earl of Errol{{Cite book |last=Goldstraw |first=Martin |title=International Register of Armorial Bearings |date=2020 |publisher=The Armorial Register |isbn=978-0-9957246-8-6 |volume=3}}|image= |escutcheon=Azure, a sword palewise Proper hilted and pommelled Or the pommel charged with a cross Sable, surmounted of two engrailed chevronels, in chief two fleur-de-lis of the Second. Mantling: Azure doubled Or.|helm=A baronial helm appropriate to the dignity of an Earl in the Baronage of Scotland.|crest=A lion sejant and winged Or, its dexter paw resting on an open Bible Proper binding and fore-edged Gules with two open clasps on the dexter edge Or.|motto=INVIA VIRTUTI NULLA EST VIA
(No Road is Impassable to Virtue)|armiger=Dr David Willien, Earl of Errol.|notes=Arms matriculated by the Lord Lyon King of Arms.{{Cite book |title=Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland |publisher=Court of the Lord Lyon |volume=94 |pages=46}}}}