Maxwells of Munches

The Maxwells of Munches (Munchies or Munshes) previously styled the Maxwells of Terraughty, represent an old aristocratic and armigerous Scottish family with deep roots in the country's history (named after their estate 'Munches'). Historically, members of the Terraughty–Munches line were recognized as the heir-male representatives of the Earls of Nithsdale the hereditary chiefs of the larger Maxwell Clan, and thus occupied a senior position within the clan hierarchy. Through strategic marriages and the extinction of several collateral Maxwell lines, the Munches family became associated with, or represent the surviving line of, the Maxwells of Barncleugh, the Maxwells of Breconside, the Maxwells of Arkland, and the Maxwells of Buittle. The current head of the family is Desmond Maxwell.

The Munches line originates with James Maxwell of Breconside of Kirkgunzeon (1607–1659), the second son of John Maxwell, 6th Lord Herries of Terregles, and grandson of the old Maxwell Lords of Caerlaverock. This descent places the family within one of the most senior male-line branches of the historic Maxwell kindred. James’s descendant John Maxwell, 3rd of Breconside and of Terraughty (1670–1724) consolidated the family’s holdings, and was succeeded by his son William Maxwell, 4th of Breconside and Terraughty (d. 1756), whose line formed the basis of the later Munches succession.

William Maxwell was succeeded by his son John Maxwell of Portrack, Terraughty, Munches and Dinwoodie (1720–1814), who acquired the estates of Munches and Dinwoodie through his second wife Agnes Maxwell of Munches. He was formally served heir-male to Robert Maxwell, 4th Earl of Nithsdale, on 4 June 1778, recognising him as the chief surviving male representative of the ancient Maxwell chief’s line. His son, Alexander Herries Maxwell of Munches and Terraughty (1735–1815), continued this male representation, but died without issue.

Under the 1813 Disposition and Deed of Entail, the estates of Munches, Terraughty and Dinwoodie passed to his niece Clementina Herries Maxwell (1782–1858), eldest daughter of William Maxwell, second son of John Maxwell of Terraughty and Munches, and of Janet Syme of Barncailzie. Clementina succeeded as 7th of Munches upon Alexander’s death in 1815.

Her marriage in 1813 to her first cousin John Herries Maxwell of Barncleugh, (1784–1843) united the Terraughty–Munches succession with the Barncleugh branch. John Herries Maxwell was the eldest surviving son of Wellwood Maxwell of Barncleugh (formerly Wellwood Johnstone) and Catherine Maxwell, daughter of John Maxwell of Terraughty and Munches, thereby reinforcing the connection between all three Maxwell cadet houses.

Clementina and John Herries Maxwell’s son, Wellwood Herries Maxwell of Munches MP (1817–1900), succeeded as 8th of Munches. In 1868 he re-matriculated the family arms in the Public Register, quartering the heraldry of Maxwell, Herries, Maxwell of Barncleugh, and Johnstone of Clauchrie, in accordance with the Deed of Entail and the combined genealogy of the house. He was succeeded by his son William Jardine Herries Maxwell, 9th of Munches (1852–1933).

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.