Maxwells of Munches



The Maxwells of Munches (Munchies or Munshes) also/previously known as the Herries Maxwells, Maxwells of Barncleugh, the Maxwells of Breconside & Terraughty, and the Maxwells of Buittle, represent an old aristocratic Scottish family with deep roots in the country's history (named after their estate 'Munches'). . Historically, they have held prominent positions within the larger Maxwell Clan, once serving as the head family of the Maxwell clan, with previous heads of the family being chiefs of the Maxwells and the heir males of the Earls of Nithsdale. The current head of the family is Desmond Maxwell.

Origins and heritage
The current branch of the family descends in the paternal line from the Johnstons (Ironically, a clan famously rivalling the Clan Maxwell). However, James Johnston (brother to Thomas Johnstone of Clachrie) married Barbara Maxwell, and their son Wellwood Johnston took in terms of settlements of his uncle, James Maxwell, the name Maxwell and became Wellwood Maxwell of Barncleugh. Wellwood Maxwell went on to marry Catherine Maxwell, daughter of John Maxwell of Portract, Terraughty, Munches, and Diwoodie (heir male to the Earls of Nithsdale and chief of the Clan Maxwell). Their son John Herries Maxwell of Barncleugh went on to marry his cousin Clementina Maxwell, also grandchild to the aforementioned John Maxwell. Clementina Maxwell served as heiress to her uncle Alexander Herries Maxwell of Munches and Terraughty (heir male to the Earls of Nithsdale and Chief of the Maxwells ) and succeeded to Munches, Dinwoodie and Terraughty. Their son was Wellwood Herries Maxwell of Munches MP (husband to Jane home Jardine, eldest daughter of Sir William Jardine of Applegirth, Baronet) who had the Armorial Bearings of his family rematriculated in 1868 to represent the Maxwells, the Herries, and the Johnstones. The Maxwells of Munches are intertwined with several other old Scottish families, and the family has family connections to most aristocratic families in England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as other Scottish Clans. These familial connections highlight the extensive reach and influence of the Maxwells throughout Scottish history.

Heraldry
In the extract of Matriculation obtained by Wellwood Herries Maxwell of Munches, it declares that the whole heirs of entail and the substitutes and the husbands of the female heirs shall be bound on the succession opening to them respectively to assume, use and constantly retain the surnames and arms of Herries and Maxwell and the designation of Herries and Maxwell of Munches in all time after their succession to obtaining possession of the said land and estate as their proper surnames, arms and designation.

The armorial bearings held by the head of the family are as follows.

Vizt Quarterly, first and fourth grand quarters, argent, an eagle displayed with two heads sable beaked and membered gules, bearing on his breast an escutcheon of the first charged with a Saltire of the second surcharged with an urcheon or, for Maxwell ; second grand Quarter, argent, three urcheons sable, for Herries ; Third Grand Quarter, counter quartered first and fourth, argent, a saltire sable, on a bordure of the second eight lozenges of the first, for Maxwell of Barncleugh, second and third, argent, a saltire invecked sable between two pellets in flank, on a chief gules three cushions or, for Johnstone of Blauchrie. Above the Shield is placed a helmet befitting his degree, with a mantling gules doubled argent, and on a wreath of his liveries is set for crest, a stag lodged in front of a holly tree proper, and in an escrol over the same this Motto, "Reviresco".

Matriculated the twenty eighth day of April 1868 by Wellwood Herries Maxwell.

Estates and land
The Maxwells of Munches were historically associated with the Estates of Munches and various other lands. These properties, once held by the family, played a significant role in their social standing and influence. The family has since lost ownership of these lands and estates having to sell them off due to financial instability

Lands and estates once owned by the family include: Breconside, Dinwoodie, Munches, Buittle and Buittle Castle, Terraughty, Dalbeattie, Portrack and Barnlceuch.

Notable figures

 * Wellwood Herries Maxwell MP
 * Peter Maxwell, Lord Maxwell
 * William Jardine Herries Maxwell