List of heirs to the Scottish throne
This is a list of the individuals who were, at any given time, considered the next in line to inherit the throne of Scotland, should the incumbent monarch die. Those who actually succeeded (at any future time) are shown in bold. Stillborn children and infants surviving less than a month are not included.
It may be noted that although the Crown could pass through the female line (for example to the House of Dunkeld in 1034), in the High Middle Ages it is doubtful whether a queen regnant would have been accepted as ruler.
Significant breaks in the succession, where the designated heir did not in fact succeed (due to usurpation, conquest, revolution, or lack of heirs) are shown as breaks in the table below.
The symbols +1, +2, etc. are to be read "once (twice, etc.) removed in descendancy", i.e., the child or grandchild (etc.) of a cousin of the degree specified. The symbols -1, -2, etc. indicate the converse relationship, i.e., the cousin of a parent or grandparent (etc.).
1124 to 1290
[edit]This section possibly contains original research. Women were not generally considered as heirs in the 12th and 13th centuries. (September 2022) |
Heir | Status | Relationship to Monarch | Became heir | Reason | Ceased to be heir | Reason | Monarch |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Henry, Earl of Huntingdon | Heir apparent | Son | 23 April 1124 | Father became king | 12 June 1152 | Died | David I |
Malcolm | Heir apparent | Grandson | 12 June 1152 | Father died | 24 May 1153 | Became king | |
William, Earl of Northumbria | Heir presumptive | Younger brother | 24 May 1153 | Brother became king | 9 December 1165 | Became king | Malcolm IV |
David, Earl of Huntingdon | Heir presumptive | Younger brother | 9 December 1165 | Brother became king | 1193 | Daughter born to king | William I |
Margaret | Heiress presumptive | Eldest daughter | 1193 | Born | 24 August 1198 | Brother born | |
Alexander | Heir apparent | Son | 24 August 1198 | Born | 4 December 1214 | Became king | |
Margaret, Countess of Kent | Heiress presumptive | Elder sister | 4 December 1214 | Brother became king | 4 September 1241 | Son born to king | Alexander II |
Alexander | Heir apparent | Son | 4 September 1241 | Born | 8 July 1249 | Became king | |
Margaret, Countess of Kent | Heiress presumptive | Aunt | 8 July 1249 | Nephew became king | 25 November 1259 | Died | Alexander III |
Isabella, Countess of Norfolk | Heiress presumptive | Aunt | 25 November 1259 | Sister died | 28 February 1261 | Daughter born to king | |
Margaret | Heiress presumptive | Daughter | 28 February 1261 | Born | 21 January 1264 | Brother born | |
Alexander | Heir apparent | Eldest son | 21 January 1264 | Born | 28 January 1284 | Died | |
Margaret | Heiress presumptive | Granddaughter | 28 January 1284 | Uncle died | 19 March 1286 | Became lady and queen | |
No recognised heir 1286–1290 | Margaret |
1292 to 1296
[edit]Heir | Status | Relationship to Monarch | Became heir | Reason | Ceased to be heir | Reason | Monarch |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Edward | Heir apparent | Eldest son | 17 November 1292 | Father became king | 10 July 1296 | Father abdicated | John |
1306 to 1371
[edit]Heir | Status | Relationship to Monarch | Became heir Reason |
Ceased to be heir Reason |
Monarch |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No recognised heir 1306–1315 | Robert I | ||||
Edward Bruce, Earl of Carrick | Heir presumptive | Brother | 27 April 1315 Proclaimed heir |
14 October 1318 Died | |
No recognised heir Oct–Dec 1318 | |||||
Robert Stewart | Heir presumptive | Grandson | 3 December 1318 Proclaimed heir |
5 March 1324 Twin sons born to king | |
David Bruce, Earl of Carrick | Heir apparent | Son | 5 March 1324 Born |
7 June 1329 Became king | |
Robert Stewart, 7th High Steward of Scotland | Heir presumptive | Half-nephew | 7 June 1329 Half-uncle became king |
22 February 1371 Became king |
David II |
1371 to 1707
[edit]Heir | Status | Relationship to Monarch | Became heir Reason |
Ceased to be heir Reason |
Next in succession Relation to heir |
Monarch |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No recognised heir Feb–Mar 1371 | Robert II | |||||
John Stewart, Earl of Carrick | Heir apparent | Son | 27 March 1371 Proclaimed heir |
19 April 1390 Became king |
None 1371–1373 | |
Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife 1373–1378, Brother | ||||||
David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay 1378–1390, Son | ||||||
David Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 19 April 1390 Father became king |
26 March 1402 Died in captivity |
Robert Stewart, Earl of Fife 1390–1394, Uncle |
Robert III |
James Stewart 1394–1402, Brother | ||||||
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 26 March 1402 Brother died |
4 April 1406 Became king |
Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany Uncle | |
Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Uncle | 4 April 1406 Nephew became king |
3 September 1420 Died |
Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany Son |
James I |
Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | 1st cousin | 3 September 1420 Father died |
25 May 1425 Executed |
Robert Stewart 1420–1421, Son | |
Walter Stewart 1421–1425, Son | ||||||
Alexander Stewart 1425, Son | ||||||
Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl | Heir presumptive | Half-uncle | 25 May 1425 Half-nephew executed |
16 October 1430 Twin sons born to king |
Alan Stewart, Earl of Caithness Son | |
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 16 October 1430 Born |
1430 Died |
James Stewart Brother | |
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 1430 Brother died |
21 February 1437 Father assassinated, became king |
Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl Granduncle | |
Walter Stewart, Earl of Atholl | Heir presumptive | Half-granduncle | 21 February 1437 Half-grandnephew became king |
26 March 1437 Executed, grandson executed on same day |
Robert Stewart, Master of Atholl Grandson |
James II |
No recognised heir 1437–1451 | ||||||
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 10 July 1451 Born |
3 August 1460 Became king |
None 1451–1454 | |
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany 1454–1460, Brother | ||||||
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 3 August 1460 Brother became king |
17 March 1473 Son born to king |
John Stewart, Earl of Mar Brother |
James III |
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 17 March 1473 Born |
11 June 1488 Father killed in battle, became king |
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Albany 1473–1476, Uncle | |
James Stewart, Duke of Ross 1476–1488, Brother | ||||||
James Stewart, Duke of Ross | Heir presumptive | Brother | 11 June 1488 Brother became king |
January 1504 Died |
John Stewart, Earl of Mar 1488–1503, Brother |
James IV |
John Stewart, Duke of Albany 1503–1504, 1st cousin | ||||||
John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | 1st cousin | January 1504 1st cousin died |
21 February 1507 Son born to king |
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran 1st cousin | |
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 21 February 1507 Born |
27 February 1508 Died |
John Stewart, Duke of Albany 1st cousin −1 | |
John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | 1st cousin | 27 February 1508 1st cousin +1 died |
20 October 1509 Son born to king |
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran 1st cousin | |
Arthur Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 20 October 1509 Born |
14 July 1510 Died |
John Stewart, Duke of Albany 1st cousin −1 | |
John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | 1st cousin | 14 July 1510 1st cousin +1 died |
10 April 1512 Son born to king |
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran 1st cousin | |
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 10 April 1512 Born |
9 September 1513 Father killed in battle, became king |
John Stewart, Duke of Albany 1st cousin −1 | |
John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | 1st cousin −1 | 9 September 1513 1st cousin +1 became king |
30 April 1514 Posthumous son born to James IV |
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran 1st cousin |
James V |
Alexander Stewart, Duke of Ross | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 April 1514 Born posthumously |
18 December 1515 Died |
John Stewart, Duke of Albany 1st cousin −1 | |
John Stewart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | 1st cousin −1 | 18 December 1515 1st cousin +1 died |
2 June 1536 Died |
James Hamilton, 1st Earl of Arran 1515–1529, 1st cousin | |
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran 1529–1536, 1st cousin +1 | ||||||
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | 2nd cousin | 2 June 1536 1st cousin –1 died |
22 May 1540 Son born to king |
Helen Campbell, Countess of Argyll 1536–1537, Sister | |
James Hamilton 1537–1540, Son | ||||||
James Stewart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 22 May 1540 Born |
21 April 1541 Died |
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran 1540–1541, 2nd cousin −1 | |
Arthur Stewart, Duke of Albany 1541, Brother | ||||||
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran 1541, 2nd cousin −1 | ||||||
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | 2nd cousin | 21 April 1541 2nd cousin +1 died |
8 December 1542 Daughter born to king |
James Hamilton Son | |
Mary Stewart | Heiress presumptive | Daughter | 8 December 1542 Born |
14 December 1542 Became queen |
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran 2nd cousin −1 | |
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | 2nd cousin −1 | 14 December 1542 2nd cousin +1 became queen |
19 June 1566 Son born to queen |
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran Son |
Mary I |
James Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 19 June 1566 Born |
24 July 1567 Mother abdicated, became king |
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran 2nd cousin −2 | |
James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | 2nd cousin −2 | 24 July 1567 2nd cousin +2 became king |
22 January 1575 Died |
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran Son |
James VI |
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran | Heir presumptive | 3rd cousin −1 | 22 January 1575 Father died |
19 February 1594 Son born to king |
John Hamilton Brother | |
Henry Frederick Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 19 February 1594 Born |
6 November 1612 Died |
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran 1594–1596, 3rd cousin −2 | |
Elizabeth Stuart 1596–1600, Sister | ||||||
Charles Stuart, Duke of Albany 1600–1612, Brother | ||||||
Charles Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 6 November 1612 Brother died |
27 March 1625 Became king |
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine Sister | |
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine | Heiress presumptive | Sister | 27 March 1625 Brother became king |
13 May 1629 Son born to king |
Hereditary Prince Frederick Henry of the Palatinate 1625–1629, Son |
Charles I |
Prince Charles Louis of the Palatinate 1629, Son | ||||||
Charles James Stuart, Duke of Rothesay[1] | Heir apparent | Son | 13 May 1629 Born |
13 May 1629 Died |
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine Aunt | |
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine | Heiress presumptive | Sister | 13 May 1629 Nephew died |
29 May 1630 Son born to king |
Prince Charles Louis of the Palatinate Son | |
Charles Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 29 May 1630 Born |
30 January 1649 Proclaimed king |
Elizabeth, Electress Palatine 1630–1631, Aunt | |
Mary Stuart 1631–1633, Sister | ||||||
James Stuart 1633–1649, Brother | ||||||
James Stuart, Duke of Albany | Heir presumptive | Brother | 30 January 1649 Brother proclaimed king |
6 February 1685 Became king |
Henry Stuart 1649–1660, Brother |
Charles II |
Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange 1660, Sister | ||||||
Charles Stuart 1660–1661, Son | ||||||
William III, Prince of Orange 1661–1662, Nephew | ||||||
Mary Stuart 1662–1663, Daughter | ||||||
James Stuart 1663–1667, Son | ||||||
Mary Stuart 1667, Daughter | ||||||
Edgar Stuart 1667–1671, Son | ||||||
Mary, Princess of Orange 1671–1677, Daughter | ||||||
Charles Stuart 1677, Son | ||||||
Mary, Princess of Orange 1677–1685, Daughter | ||||||
Mary, Princess of Orange | Heiress presumptive | Daughter | 6 February 1685 Father became king |
10 June 1688 Son born to king |
Princess Anne of Denmark Sister |
James VII |
James Stuart, Duke of Rothesay | Heir apparent | Son | 10 June 1688 Born |
11 May 1689 Father deposed, excluded from succeeding |
Mary, Princess of Orange Sister | |
William II | Mutual heirs[2] | Husband | 13 February 1689 Became joint monarchs |
28 December 1694 Became sole monarch |
Princess Anne of Denmark Sister(-in-law) |
Mary II |
Mary II | Wife | 28 December 1694 Died |
William III | |||
Princess Anne of Denmark | Heiress presumptive | Sister-in-law / 1st cousin |
28 December 1694 Sister died |
8 March 1702 Became queen |
Prince William of Denmark 1694–1700, Son | |
None 1700–1702 | ||||||
No recognised heir 1702–1707[3] | Anne |
Jacobite succession, 1689–1807
[edit]The following are the heirs of the Jacobite pretenders to the throne to the death of the last Stuart pretender. For other persons in this lineage, see Jacobite succession.
Heir | Status | Relationship to Pretender | Became heir Reason |
Ceased to be heir Reason |
Next in succession Relation to heir |
Pretender |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
James Stuart, Prince of Wales | Heir apparent | Son | 13 February 1689 Father deposed |
16 September 1701 Became pretender |
Mary, Princess of Orange 1689–1694, Sister |
James VII |
Princess Anne of Denmark 1694–1701, Sister | ||||||
Princess Anne of Denmark | Heiress presumptive | Sister | 16 September 1701 Brother became pretender |
1 August 1714 Died |
Louisa Maria Stuart, Princess Royal 1701–1712, Sister |
James VIII "The Old Pretender" |
Anne Marie, Queen of Scilly 1712–1714, 1st cousin | ||||||
Anne Marie, Queen of Sardinia | Heiress presumptive | 1st cousin | 1 August 1714 1st cousin died |
31 December 1720 Son born to pretender |
Victor Amadeus, Prince of Piedmont 1714–1715, Son | |
Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Piedmont 1715–1720, Son | ||||||
Charles Stuart, Prince of Wales | Heir apparent | Son | 31 December 1720 Born |
1 January 1766 Became pretender |
Anne Marie, Queen of Sardinia 1720–1725, 1st cousin −1 | |
Henry Stuart, Duke of York 1725–1766, Brother | ||||||
Henry Stuart, Duke of York | Heir presumptive | Brother | 1 January 1766 Brother became pretender |
31 January 1788 Became pretender |
King Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia 1766–1773, 2nd cousin |
Charles III "The Young Pretender" |
King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia 1773–1788, 2nd cousin +1 | ||||||
King Victor Amadeus III of Sardinia | Heir presumptive | 2nd cousin +1 | 31 January 1788 2nd cousin –1 became pretender |
14 October 1796 Died |
Charles Emmanuel, Prince of Piedmont Son |
Henry I "Cardinal York" |
King Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia | Heir presumptive | 2nd cousin +2 | 14 October 1796 Father died |
13 July 1807 Last Stuart pretender died |
Prince Victor Emmanuel of Savoy Brother |
See also
[edit]- Family tree of Scottish monarchs
- List of heirs to the British throne
- List of heirs to the English throne