The Arms of the Earl of Glasgow
Noel Cox
first published (Autumn 2004) 90 New Zealand Armorist 6-7
Rear Admiral the Right Honourable Sir David Boyle, GCMG, was created Baron Fairlie, of Fairlie, in the county of Ayr, in the peerage of the United Kingdom in 1897. He had succeeded a cousin as the seventh Earl of Glasgow in 1890, and was Governor of New Zealand 1892 to 1897.
The fourth baron (who is also the tenth earl) lives in the United Kingdom.
The seventh Earl of Glasgow, as he is better known, saw active service with the Royal Navy during the Crimean War 1854-55, and the Chinese War 1857. He retired from the Royal Navy with the rank of post-Captain.
The first Lord Fairlie is notable for having resigned as Governor of New Zealand in 1897 when he found himself unable to live on the salary. Unlike his predecessors, he was not prepared to use his private means to help support the office, feeling that the Colonial Parliament should vote a sufficient salary to maintain the Governor in an appropriate style.
Lord Fairlie was the cousin of Sir James Fergusson, who was Governor of New Zealand 1873-74.
Although documentary evidence is lacking, it is probable that the ancestors of the Boyle family had held their lands of Kelburn since the twelfth century.
David Boyle, one of the Commissioners appointed to effect the Treaty of Union with England was created the first Earl of Glasgow in 1703. He was a member of the Scottish Parliament for Buteshire 1689-99, when he was created Lord Boyle. He also served as a Scottish representative peer in the upper house of the new Parliament of Great Britain, 1707-8.
The arms of Lord Fairlie, properly called the Earl of Glasgow (this being the senior title), reflect his family background, but also a distinguished office once held by a member of the family. The arms are, quarterly, first and fourth, is an eagle displayed, with two heads, Gules.
This is a coat of augmentation, an addition made by the Sovereign by way of reward or compliment.
The second and third quarters are the arms of Boyle, per bend, embattled Argent and Gules.
Over the whole shield is an escutcheon Or, charged with three stags' horns erect Gules, two and one. This is from the family of Boyle of Kilburne.
The supporters are, dexter, a savage wreathed about the loins, holding in the dexter hand a branch of laurel all Proper. Sinister, a lion, per pale, embattled Argent and Gules.
The crest is an eagle displayed, with two heads, per pale, embattled Gules and Argent. Displayed is where the wings are expanded. Embattled is depicted like the battlements of a castle.
The motto is Dominus providebit. This may be translated as "The Lord will provide". This motto is also used by the Anderson, Burton, Lawson, MacLaws, M'Laws, M'Vicar, and Mason families, amongst others.