BEPORT of meetings for 1901 9& 



Thornydykes. 



Breaking the journey at Thornydykes, Mr Walter Lockie, 

 who possesses a rich storo of local information, described the 

 house, and briefly narrated what is known of its history. 

 The barony of Thornj'dykes was in the possession of the 

 French family in the 16th and early part of the 17th centuries. 

 This surname French appears in earlier records under the 

 various forms of Francus, Franciscus, Francigena, Franceis, 

 and Franke ; "and it is well authenticated that the surnames 

 of Brus and Franceis were both identified with that part of 

 the Cotentin of Normandy called the district of Valognes, in 

 which was located Chateau d' Adam, the Castle of Brix." 



The following notes from "The Frenches of Scotland" 

 [by A. D. Weld French, F.S.A. (Scot.); privately printed, 

 1893] give some particulars of the Frenches of the Scottish 

 Border. 



On August 28th 1296^ in the Parliament of Nobles and Prelates of 

 both realms, held at Berwick-on-Tweed, certain nobles, prelates, 

 knights, and others renounced the league with France, and did homage. 

 Among these the following bore the French surname : — 



John Fraunceys of Long Newton, county of Roxburgh. 

 John Fraunceys of Benestnn, county of Edinburgh. 

 William le Fraunceys, county of Edinburgh. 

 Symon Fraunceys, county of Roxburgh. 

 William Franceys, county of Fife. 

 Aleyn Fraunceys, county of Roxburgh. 



The line of Lairds of Thornydykes, bearing the surname French, 

 is as follows, the dates being either those of succession, or of some 

 recorded event in the laird's lifetime. 



Lairds of Thorny dylces. 



1. Robert French, 1370. 6. Adam, 1494. 



2. Adam, 1390. 7. Robert, 1526. 



3. Robert, 1406. 8. Adam, 1549. 



4. Robert, 1478. 9. Robert, 1583. 



5. Robert, 1490. 10. Adam, b. 1599, d. 



1617, in wardship. 



Soon after his demise the estates of Thornydykes reverted to the 

 Crown, because of feudal delinquency, and so remained till 1619, when 

 they were given by a charter of King Jauies to Adam Freuche of 



