NAPIER Hon. William 1996-2021

[DB]

Hon. William Alexander Hugh NAPIER Master of Napier only son of Sir Charles 15th Lord Napier and 6th Lord Ettrick Bt and Zara Jane McCalmont died 28th August 2021 "after an extended illness" at the age of 25. Lord Napier's only daughter, Hon. Sophie Eleanor Rose Napier born 1999, is now Mistress of Napier and heir to the baronies. The heir to the baronetcy of Nova Scotia "Scott of Thirlestone" (created 1666) is Lord Napier's younger brother Hon. Nicholas Napier born 1971. 

Source: "Claymore October 2021". Wikipedia has the date of death as 27th August. Apologies if this has been posted before, I did a search but could not see it.

[marquess]

The Hon Nicholas is also heir to the 1872 barony of Ettrick. 

[colinp]

According to The Complete Peerage the grant of the Lordship of Napier of Merchistoun was with remainder to the heirs male of the grantee's body so Nicholas Napier would appear to be heir to all the dignities assuming the baronetcy was granted on the same basis

[dpth...@gmail.com]

The LOrdship of Napier of Merchiston now passes through female lines, which is how it got into the Scott of Thirlestane family.

Archibald, 3rd Lord Napier of Merchistoun, d. shortly before 7 Aug 1683; in 1676 he resigned his peerage and in 1677 received a new grant thereof, with remainder to heirs male of his body, then to his eldest sister and her heirs male, then to the eldest heir female of her body, then to his other sisters in like manner, then to heirs male, and then to heirs and assigns; on his death the Baronetcy (Napier of Merchiston, cr 1627) became dormant until claimed in 1817.

Sir William Scott, of Thirlestane, 2nd Bt., married Elizabeth, dau of John Brisbane by Margaret, suo jure 5th Baroness Napier of Merchistoun, and passed the Napier Barony to the Scotts, who then took the surname Napier. The Baronetcy held by the present Lord Napier is the Scott Baronetcy on 1666, which seems to pass to heirs male only. 

The original Napier Baronetcy stayed in the Napier family.

[dpth...@gmail.com]

" The Baronetcy held by the present Lord Napier is the Scott Baronetcy on 1666, which seems to pass to heirs male only. "

I should have said "issue male of the grantee only", not "heirs male".

[colinp]

Thanks Paul, knowing how Scottish titles have been surrendered and re-granted I should really have read the whole of the CP article before jumping to conclusions!

[bx...@yahoo.com]

The Debrett's database is finally reflecting the passing of the Master of Napier (b. 1996), the son and heir apparent of Lord Napier and

[bx...@yahoo.com]

The Debrett's database is finally reflecting the passage of the Master of Napier (b. 1996), son and heir apparent of Lord Napier and Baron Ettrick. The Hon. William Alexander Hugh, Master of Napier died in 2021.

The heiress presumptive to the lordship of Napier is Lord Napier's daughter (sister of the late Master of Napier), the Hon Sophie Eleanor Rose (b. 1999).  She now holds the courtesy title of Mistress of Napier.  She is unmarried.

The heir presumptive to the barony of Ettrick and the baronetcy of Thirlestane is his Lordship's younger brother, the Hon. Nicholas Alexander John (b. 1971).  He now holds the courtesy title of the Master of Ettrick.  He is married with 2 sons, the elder of which is Charles Ludovic Percy (b. 2005).

Since the current lord is in his early 60's, and unlikely to produce  another son, upon his passing, his titles will be split.

Brooke

[Henry W]

Thanks for that update Brooke.  I suspect that Debrett's, like me, were finding it difficult to pin down a reliable source for this death.  Whilst I believe all posters provide information in good faith, its always helpful if a direct link to a source can be provided - I never did pin down what "Claymore October 2021" was referring to.   As for the wikipedia edit, again, I want to believe its in good faith, but there are so many things on wikipedia that get maliciously edited (mostly as a prank) that I would always want confirmation.  I did some of my own searching but drew a blank.

[pyvery]

I fail to see how the Hon Nicholas napier can use the courtesy title of Master of Etterick as this is a UK title created in 1872.

Talking of the use of the courtesy titles of Master and Mistress for Scottish titles I wonder whether

Hon Richmond Colville can be known as Master of Colville

Hon Philip Howard as master of Ruthven

Lady Caroline Crichton-Stuart as Mistress of Dumfries

Colin Carnegy as Master of Northesk. ?

In this regard i see that Hon Alexander Leslie is recorded as master of Rothes.

[bx...@yahoo.com]

pyvery, to be honest, I had the same thought as you regarding the use of "Master of" for the heir to the Ettrick title. 

 I thought "Master of" was reserved for only some Scottish titles, but this is what the Debrett's database said.

Brooke

[marquess]

It is reserved only for Scottish titles, hence he should be the Master of Napier. If Debretts is stating that he is the "Master of Etterick" then standards have slipped.

[www.maltagenealogy.com]

Uncle of Hon William Napier is heir to the Barony of Etterick and the Baronet... Though who would be heir to the "Clan Chief of Clan Napier." ? The Uncle or the daughter of the Present holder ?

[Henry W]

notice-with-candidates-list-rotherwick.pdf (parliament.uk)

Lord Napier & Ettrick references the death of his son in his candidacy for the House of Lords:

However, having lost my son and heir apparent aged 25 on the ground of his mental illness late last August, I am able to expose how utterly flawed our NHS mental health system is.