| Marquessate of Ailsa | |
|---|---|
 Arms of Kennedy, Marquesses of Ailsa: Argent, a Chevron Gules, between three crosses-Crosslet fitchée Sable, the whole within a Double-Tressure flory counterflory of the second. Crest: A Dolphin naiant proper. Supporters: On either side, a Swan wings inverted proper, beaked and membered Gules[1] | |
| Creation date | 10 September 1831 |
| Created by | King William IV |
| Peerage | Peerage of the United Kingdom |
| First holder | Archibald Kennedy, 1st Marquess of Ailsa |
| Present holder | David Kennedy, 9th Marquess of Ailsa |
| Heir apparent | Archibald Kennedy, Earl of Cassilis |
| Remainder to | The 1st Marquess' heirs male of the body lawfully begotten |
| Subsidiary titles |
|
| Status | Extant |
| Former seat(s) |
|
| Motto | AVISE LA FIN (Consider the end) [1] |
Marquess of Ailsa, of the Isle of Ailsa in the County of Ayr, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 10 September 1831 for Archibald Kennedy, 12th Earl of Cassilis.[2][3] The title Earl of Cassilis (pronounced "Cassels") had been created in 1509 for the 3rd Lord Kennedy. This title had been created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1457. The 1st Marquess had been created Baron Ailsa in the Peerage of the United Kingdom on 12 November 1806.[4][3]
The name of the title was taken from the Island of Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde.[5]
James Kennedy, Archbishop of St Andrews, was the younger brother of the first Lord Kennedy.
The Marquess of Ailsa is the hereditary Clan Chief of Clan Kennedy.
The family's seats were Cassillis House[6] and Culzean Castle, near Maybole, Ayrshire.
- ^ a b Debrett's Peerage, 1876, p.16
- ^ "No. 18846". The London Gazette. 9 September 1831. p. 1833.
- ^ a b Cokayne 1910, p. 67.
- ^ "No. 15971". The London Gazette. 4 November 1806. p. 1438.
- ^ [1][permanent dead link]
- ^ "Battle brews over castle 'clearances'". www.scotsman.com.