Note on the probable origin of the Scottish surname of Gemmill or Gemmell

10
The first of the Templehouse family of whom authentic
record exists is
I. Johnne Gemmill, who was in possession of the
Templelands of Dunlophill, and died some time before 1559.
He was succeeded by his son
II. Patrik Gemmill, who as above stated appeared
before the Court held at Ayr by David Crawford, Baillie of
the Templelands, on 19th August, 1586, by virtue of a
Commission from Lord Torphichen and " Producit a Precept
of dare constat of James Lord Sanct Johnne, dated 10 August,
1559, entering him as son and heir of Johnne Gemmill in
the Temple lands of Dunlophill."
In Pitcairn's Ancient Criminal Trials of Scotland there
are records of two trials in which this Patrik Gemmill was
concerned, and which are curiously indicative of the lawless
times in which he lived, when it may be said that every
man's hand was against his neighbor.
On 4 November, 1570, he was one of the jury 1 on the
trial of" William Cuninghame ol Aiket, William Fergushill,
" Florence Crauford and John Raeburn of that Ilk, dilatit
" of the slauchter of umqle (i.e., the late) Johnne Mure of
" Cauldwell." 2
He next appears as the victim of robbery and abduc-
tion :
HAMESUCKEtf-BRIGANCY— OPPRESSEONT -HORSE-STEALING—
FORAYING, &c.
August 1, 1601 — Thomas Cuninghame, sword-slipper, servant to Williame
Cuninghame, the Laird of Tourlandis.
Dilatit of certain crimes of theft, and for "taking of captive and prisoner
Patrik Gemmil.
1. The 17 jurors at that trial were country gdntlemen chiefly, and of these the descendants
only of Geminill of Templehouse, John Sehaw of Grenok, and George Maxwell of Nether Pollik,
continue the possession of the lands then held by their ancestors— the last two being represented
by Sir Michael Shaw-Stewart, Bart . , of Ardgowan, and Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Bart. , of Pollok,
Pitca'rn's Criminal Trials, Vol. 1, Part. Ill, p. 19, Maitland Club, 1833.
2. Paterson's History of Ayrshire, Vol. IV, p. 238, and Robertson's Historic Ayrshire
Vol. 1, p. 18.