Comments on: Is there a connection between Burness and Campbell of Argyll?

By: Steven Burness

Steven Burness — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 21:13:00 +0000

Indeed we are of clan Campbell. When Scotland turned from Catholic to Protestant and at war with those of the catholic faith all the protestant families were governed by the Campbell family. There were several other clans we were affiliated to one being the Isaacs and those being of the catholic faith were governed by the MacDonalds. (Research the battle of Glencoe) I do have a lot more information in regard to our heritage so please feel free to email me. stevenjdburness@gmail.com

By: Brian Burness

Brian Burness — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 21:48:26 +0000

There is a legend that Walter Campbell of Loch Awe was cutting wood by his small abode, when two travelling bards came by. The custom was that if the bards requested food and shelter for the night, the host should oblige. However Walter Campbell was not endeared to these travellers, so when his axe got trapped in a log while cutting firewood, he asked the two visitors to help release the axe by pulling the log apart. Campbell was to force a wedge into the log, but instead he tricked them and trapped their hands instead. He then made them promise to move on somewhere else in return for releasing their hands. The bards did so willingly, burt on their journey they bad-mouthed Walter Campbell so much, that the rest of the local clan ostrocised him for bringing bad luck on the neighbourhood. Walter was then said to eventually move away to the east coast near Stonehaven and changed his name to Burness. Some say he was originally known as ‘Campbell of Burn House’, which may explain the name Burness.
There is also a mention of a De Burness family, Norman conquerors in the Domseday Book. Some settled at a garrison in North Yorkshire (Burneston)., some ended up near Carlisle and others may have crossed the borders into Scotland. Who knows for sure?

By: Norman Burns

Norman Burns — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:15:14 +0000

I am a descendant (12 generations) of Walter Burness, born about 1615 in Kincardine, Scotland, died November 1670, Bogjorgen, Glenbervie, Kincardine, Scotland. He married Isobel Grieg. I am loking for genealogy of Walter Burness and prior (who he descended from). Through secondary sources I have always read that the Burns family was part of the Campbell Clan, is this a correct?

By: Ian R. Gerrard

Ian R. Gerrard — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:18:40 +0000

I am interested in finding out more about my family tree. I too believed there was a link between Burness and Campbell.

A few notes here from the female side of my paternal family tree:-

Walter Campbell of Argyle, born 1590, alias Walter Burness – James Burness of Bralinmuir son, born 1656 married M. Margaret Fulmer – James Burness of Glenbervie, born 1690 – Thomas Burnes* born 1728 married Sarah ? – Thomas Burnes born 1759 married in 1785 Mary ? – Thomas Burnes born 1792 married Hulse ? – Mary Burnes married H Willley – Emily Willey married E Butcher – Emily May Butcher born 1881 (My Grandmother) married on 11-03-1902 Joseph Gerrard born Toxteth Liverpool.

* Spelling change from Burness to Burnes.
Simple & brief but there it is. I may be able to find the missing names some time.

If anyone can help me extend my family tree I would love to hear from them.