SPENS, William of Lathallan ¹

   User ID: K356.

  Research Notes:

"This name is believed to be derived from the old French, 'despense', used to describe the custodian of the larder. This may originally have been an office within the monastic system, but from the thirteenth century onwards the name Spensa, or Dispensa, is used to describe royal officials. Roger 'dispensator' witnessed a deed recording the transfer of lands near Dallas in Inverness-shire in 1232. John Spens is listed as baillie of Irvine in 1260. Henry Spens witnessed a charter by Robert, Earl of Fife, in 1390, and it was in that ancient earldom that the family was to prosper. Henry de Spens of Lathallan swore fealty to Edward I of England, and his name appears on the Ragman Roll of 1296. He died around 1300, when his son, Thomas, succeeded. He is mentioned in two charters of Robert the Bruce."

from My Clan: Spens website




"Origins of the Clan

The principal Scottish family of Clan Spens descend from one of the ancient Earls of Fife. John 'Dispensator' or 'Le Dispenser' appeared in a list of the tenants and vassals of Walter fitz Alan Steward of Scotland on the period 1161-1171. Roger 'Dispensator' witnessed a charter by Bricius de Douglas, the bishop of Moray granting the church of Deveth to Spynie between 1202 and 1222 . His son Thomas 'Dispensator' witnessed a charter in 1232 of Andreas de Moravia, later bishop of Moray. John Spens is listed as baillie of Irvine in 1260. In the year 1296 Henry de Spens, feudal baron, swore fealty to Edward I of England, and his name appears on the Ragman Rolls of 1296. He died around 1300, when his son, Thomas, succeeded. He is mentioned in two charters of King Robert the Bruce. His heir Thomas de Spens witnessed several charters of Trinity college of Edinburgh between 1296 and 1324 and of the monastery of Soltray. One of his sons William de Spens was laird of Gylgyrstoun, Glespany and gets the lands of Dumbarnie and Bondiingtoune from William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas in 1358. His son William de Spens gets married with Isabel Campbell of Glendouglas heiress and daughter of Sir Duncan Campbell of Glen Douglas and Strachur. They get by charter given in Dunblane the 5 May 1385 the lands of Athaland, Ketydy and Craigswmqwar from Robert Earl of Fife and Menteith. These lands were later made into a barony in 1430."

from Wikipedia article ^{2 3}

William married Isabel CAMPBELL heiress of Glendouglas by 5 May 1385(charter).^{1 2} (Isabel CAMPBELL heiress of Glendouglas was born about 1365.)

  Marriage Notes:

"William Spens of Lathallan married, before 1385, Isabel, heiress and daughter of Duncan Campbell of Glendouglas, by whom he had John his heir; and William, ancestor of Spenses of Kilspindie. He died in 1432."

from East Neuk of Fife




"William de Spens gets married with Isabel Campbell of Glendouglas heiress and daughter of Sir Duncan Campbell of Glen Douglas and Strachur. They get by charter given in Dunblane the 5 May 1385 the lands of Athaland, Ketydy and Craigswmqwar from Robert Earl of Fife and Menteith. These lands were later made into a barony in 1430."

from Wikipedia article ^{1 2}