Notes on the surnames of Francus, Franceis, French, etc. in Scotland

SECOND LAIRD OF THORNYDYKES.
Adam French, second Laird of Tkornydykes, suc-
ceeded his father Robert in the reign of Robert III.
(19th April, 1390-4^1 April, 1406); and Nisbet makes
the following allusion to the succession : " This ap-
pears by ane other charter upon resignatione of his
mother Elizabeth French [who is surnamed French
in this but not in the former] in favour of his
[Robert's] son and his spouse, Jonet Rule, of the
same contents with the former [charter] in the hands
of the foresaid George, Earl of March, and Lord
of Annandale and Man."
About this period Adam Gordon,* William Baird,
and Adam French became conspicuous among the
border chieftains; for at a meeting held in 1398 be-
tween the Commissioners of the Scotch and English
marches, appointed to arrange about border difficul-
ties, prisoners, etc., an exception was made to the
release of these persons. At that the Scotch Com-
missioners gave heavy bonds in the name of their
* The history of the Gordon family at this period shows only
one of this Christian name, that of Sir Adam Gordon, Lord of
Gordon and Huntly, who was killed at the battle of Homildone
Hill in Berwickshire, Sept. 14, 1402.