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Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick

1200 – 1250

Gall-Gaidhil prince and Scottish magnate

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About Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick

Lived 1200 – 1250.

Donnchadh (; Latin: Duncanus; English: Duncan) was a Gall-Gaidhil prince and Scottish magnate in what is now south-western Scotland, whose career stretched from the last quarter of the 12th century until his death in 1250. His father, Gille-Brighde of Galloway, and his uncle, Uhtred of Galloway, were the two rival sons of Fergus, Prince or Lord of Galloway. As a result of Gille-Brighde's conflict with Uhtred and the Scottish monarch William the Lion, Donnchadh became a hostage of King Henry II of England. He probably remained in England for almost a decade before returning north on the death of his father. Although denied succession to all the lands of Galloway, he was granted lordship over Carrick in the north.

Allied to John de Courcy, Donnchadh fought battles in Ireland and acquired land there that he subsequently lost. A patron of religious houses, particularly Melrose Abbey and North Berwick priory nunnery, he attempted to establish a monastery in his own territory, at Crossraguel. He married the daughter of Alan fitz Walter, a leading member of the family later known as the House of Stewart—future monarchs of Scotland and England. Donnchadh was the first mormaer or earl of Carrick, a region he ruled for more than six decades, making him one of the longest serving magnates in medieval Scotland. His descendants include the Bruce and Stewart Kings of Scotland, and probably the Campbell Dukes of Argyll.

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Important facts

Born
1200, Dumfries and Galloway
Birth century

Family & relationships

Spouse
Alan fitz Walter
Parent
Donnchadh II, Earl of Fife
Parent
Gille-Brighde of Galloway

People in Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick?

Gall-Gaidhil prince and Scottish magnate

When was Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick born?

Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick was born in 1200 in Dumfries and Galloway.

When did Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick die?

Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick died on 13 June 1250.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick

· Wikidata: Q1241816

· DBpedia: Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick. https://biography.guide/donnchadh-earl-of-carrick/

MLA: "Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/donnchadh-earl-of-carrick/.

Chicago: "Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/donnchadh-earl-of-carrick/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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