LEARMONTH-LERMONTOV. A HYISTORY OF THE NAME AND FAMILIES

David Learmonth married Agnes Kynman, daughter of
(most probably) Kynman of Hill in the Carse of Gowry. Their
children were James (heir, b. c. 1500); Robert (b. c. 1501) and
John (b. c. 1503). All three became educated men as did most of
the Learmonths from these families. Robert Learmonth was a
citizen of St Andrews in 1555. He was a witness to a deed by his
brother, James; his other brother John was also a witness to the
same deed dated 1545. Robert and John Learmonth were both
appointed Procurators. Robert: in June 1545; October 1550,
Robert and Sir John Learmonth May 1552 and May 1557; August
1556 and September 1556 (“Protocol book of Sir Alexander Gaw,
1540-1558”, ed. by the Rev. John Anderson and William Angus,
Edinburgh, printed for the Society by J. Skinner, 1910, p.p. 10, 18,
25, 36).
In the Town Hall foyer in St Andrews there is a seat, (a
settle) dated c 1511, which is made up of 5 wooden panels, 2 on
the top and 3 below. The top 2 panels show on the left an initial I
which may have been L for Learmonth as it is damaged. Behind is
a possible O or part of a D….David. The plaque on the seat says:
“The Panels in this Settle Belonged to David Learmonth who was
Provost of St Andrews in 1511”. This is probably the earliest
Learmonth Coat of Arms in existence (Illus. 15).
Many generation of the family were born at the castle.
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