Jardine

Originally from the French, this name signified one who lived in or near a garden. The first recording of the name in Scotland is of one Winfredus de Jardine who resided in Scotland before 1153 and witnessed charters by David I to the Abbeys of Kelso and Arbroath. Prior to their later appearance in Scotland it is known that Du Jardine was a name recorded at the Battle of Hastings and it is assumed that the family first settled around Kendall, England, and then moved to Lanarkshire in the 13th Century. Early in the 14th Century they settled in Dumfries-shire where they have been established ever since. The chiefly house is that of Jardine of Applegarth, a well established and landed family, the head of which was raised to the baronage of Nova Scotia by patent dated 1672. About 280 of these titles were conferred by Charles II by persons who had contributed to the settlement of Nova Scotia. The line continues to this day.

The Buchanan-Jardine of Castlemilk, Dumfries is one of the families that is descended from Dr. William Jardine, co-founder of the famous Jardine Matheson conglomerate. He died unmarried at the age of 58, a multi millionaire. He was succeded by numerous nephews and nieces who in turn produced the Buchanan-Jardines of Castlemilk, The Cunningham-Jardines of Fourmeikland, The Jardine-Patersons of Balgray and the current Taipans of the company, the Keswick family.  William Jardine became M.P. for Ashburton.  His fortune was made in smuggling Opium into China which sparked the three Opium wars. Tea was not so profitable. As well as the common versions of the name, Jardine and Jardin, other variations have been noted; among them Gardinus, Gardino, Jarding, Jardane and Jerden.

The following information has been provided by Jerry Jardine

As far as can be ascertained there was no one with the surname of Gardine or Jardine in the first half of the eleventh century (before the Norman invasion) - in fact very few people had surnames at all at that time. The first mention of the name Jardine is contained in Hollingshead's Chronicles of England as one of the knights that fought at the Battle of Hastings (AD 1066). There is also evidence that may suggest that the Jardines were of Norse extraction that migrated to Normandy with a warrior named Ganger Rolf prior to 1066. From then till records were kept and accounted for and enclosed, the family was known as de Gardine de Applegirth. In 1304 a William du Gerdyne is recorded as owning land around Kendal which accounts for the name spreading through England. The spelling variated from de Gardino, Gardyne, Jardin, Jardyne, Gardyne

In 1573 the King confirmed the grant of lands to Sir Alexander Jardine of Jardinefield in Berwickshire; Applegirth and Sibbaldbie in Dumfrieshire; Hartside and Wandel in Lanarkshire; and Kirkandrews in Kirkcudbright. It is recorded that he had to muster 242 men to fight for the King if required. It was these retainers who then had no surnames who became known as "Jardine Men" and adopted Jardine as their surname.

The Jardines were present at the battles of Stirling Bridge & Falkirk along with many other Scottish nobles (Bruce, Lindsay, Maxwell etc) fighting for King Edward I of England against William Wallace. The Jardines have, throughout history, had a strong bond with the Bruce family and were present at the Battle of Bannockburn with King Robert de Bruis.   They are recorded as being present at the courts of Kings David II, James I & II and they were present at the early Crusades. They and several other Border families, were granted the use of the Shield, Saltire and Mullets of the Bruce's as depicted on the Jardine Crest/Badge. The Jardines were one of fourteen West March Border families that were
named as Clans by the Scottish Parliament in 1587

In 1644 Sir Alexander Jardine was the Member of Parliament for Dumfries. At the same time Sir Alexander purchased (along with many other gentlemen) a Baronetcy of Nova Scotia from King Charles II. Another incident in the life of this Chief was the imprisonment and subsequent death for incendiarism of Dunty Porteus the miller. The ghost has haunted the family even up to these days.  The family moved out of their castle (Keep, Tower) named Spedlins to a more spacious residence across the river called Jardine Hall.

Jardine Hall, now in possesion of the Cunningham - Jardine family has finally demolished the ruins.  Spedlins Tower has been restored to a very habitable state and is owned by a Mr. & Mrs. Grey.