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The Spreule Spreull Sproul Sprowle Sprowl Families of Lennox and Renfrewshire

A Free Space Page for sources, timelines, cadet branches, heraldry, and working notes. Please add sourced detail and improve summaries.

Scope and name forms

The surname appears as Spreule, Spreull, Sprewel, Sprewell, Sproul, Sproule, Sprowle, Sprowl. Treat these as one family unless a record states otherwise.^[1]

Arms and identity

Nisbet records purses or palmer scrips in the arms. Later armorial lists give for Cowden and Caldoun a blazon that reads Or a chevron chequy Azure and Argent between three purses Gules. A recorded variant reads Or a fess chequy Azure and Argent between three purses Gules.^[2]

Key places

Cowden parish of Neilston Renfrewshire. Main house of the family in printed successions.^[1]
Coldoun or Caldoun in the Lennox orbit with Dalquhurn and Dalmuir. Primary line for Dalquhurn vassalage in the sixteen century.^[3]
Dalquhurn and Dalmuir Dumbartonshire. See record list under Coldoun below. Site notes appear at Canmore and Trove.^[4]^[5]
Ladymuir with Castlehill Kings Meadow Kings Orchard and Castlemilk within the territory of the burgh of Renfrew. Master John acquires these in the fifteen forties.^[6]
Blackairn within the Lordship of Provan and a lodging in Glasgow. Printed summaries place these with Master John.^[1]

Origins and earliest notices

The Scottish Nation entry summarizes earlier charters. It names Walter Sprewel of Cowden or Colden as seneschal to Malcolm Earl of Lennox with a grant of Dalquhurn in the time of King Alexander the Third and a later Walter Sprewel seneschallus de Dumbarton with charter in the time of King Robert the Bruce. The Paisley chartulary names Spreull witnesses in Lennox charters.^[1]^[7]

Anchor timeline from the Dalquhurn Writs

The Dalquhurn list prints a continuous Coldoun chain. The same printed page also quotes Cowden items. The styles do not switch, so treat Coldoun and Cowden as distinct territorial names unless a deed says otherwise.^[3]

12 February 1421 Charter from Duncan Earl of Lennox to Walter Spreull dominus de Coldoun of Dalchurne on his own resignation.
1449 Instrument of sasine on a precept of clare constat from Isabella Duchess of Albany Countess of Lennox in favour of Thomas Spreull son and heir of Walter Spreull in Dalchurne and Dalnair.
19 September 1461 Charter under Great Seal to Robert Spreull son and heir apparent of Thomas Spreull and to Margaret Bruis his spouse of Dalquhyrne.
22 May 1502 Discharge by Matthew Earl of Lennox of relief and forefaulture of Dalquhyrne and Dalmure to John Spreull of Coldoun and Elizabeth Blair his wife.
16 April 1515 Charter from John Earl of Lennox to John Spreule of Coldoun and to Elizabeth Semple his spouse of part of Dalquhyrne.
10 May 1515 Sasine on the same charter.
4 June 1541 Instrument of sasine of Thomas Spreule of Coldoun in Dalquhurn on a precept of clare constat from Matthew Earl of Lennox as heir of his father John Spreule of Coldoun.
15 September 1559 Instrument of sasine of Thomas Sprewll of Coldoun on a Crown precept in Dalmure.
Later sixteenth century Notarial copy of sasine of John Spreull of Coldoun and Margaret Colquhoun his wife as heir apparent of Thomas Spreull of Coldoun in Dalquhurn and Dalmure on a precept from James Stewart of Cardonald.
24 July 1589 Charter from Ludovick Duke of Lennox to James Spreule younger of Coldoun and Agnes Kelso his spouse of Dalquhirne and Dalmure in fee on the resignation of his father John Spreule of Coldoun.
26 May 1612 Instrument of sasine of one fourth part of Dalchurne in favour of Adam Colquhoun and Margaret Spreull his spouse.
1 December 1620 Instruments of sasine on a precept from Ludovick Duke of Lennox on a resignation by James Spreull fiar of Coldoun of Dalchurne in favour of John Dennistoun in Kirkmichael.
17 January 1621 Instrument of sasine of Dalchurne and Dalmuir in favour of James Spreull of Coldoun.

These items appear together in the printed Dalquhurn Writs list on the cited page.^[3]

Cowden main line quick spine

Printed successions give a continuous Cowden line into the early seventeen twenties.

John Spreule of Cowden appears as laird in 1481.
Robert Spreul of Cowden appears as laird by 1515.
Two men named John follow Robert in the Cowden succession. Keep the Ladymuir Johns separate in the next section.
James appears near the 1622 sale of Cowden. Printed books vary on the grantee name. Some text names William Lord Cochrane. Some text names Alexander Cochrane of that Ilk. Later digests say a Blair who used the Cochrane name received Cowden. Note the uncertainty until a deed turns up.^[1]^[6]

Ladymuir and Blackairn clerical cadet

Master John Sprewel of Ladymuir appears as a younger son of the Cowden family.

1507 appointment as Vicar of Dundonald. The Glasgow summary also calls him Professor of Philosophy and later Rector of the University and a canon of Glasgow. The prebend carries the Rectory of Ancrum.^[1]
25 August 1541 charter that calls him a canon of Glasgow and records his purchase from Lord Lyle of Kings Meadow Kings Orchard and Castlemilk within the territory of the burgh of Renfrew.^[6]
25 April 1543 contract at Cathcart that records his purchase of Ladymuir from Gabriel Semple of Ladymuir with Jonet Spreull his wife consenting. The deed names the seller’s wife and does not name a wife for the buyer.^[6]
Printed notices also place with him Blackairn in Provan and a lodging in Glasgow.^[1]
1555 death of Master John. The estate passes to his nephew John Spreull son of his brother Robert Spreul burgess of Glasgow.^[1]^[6]

Ladymuir after Master John

Printed county histories and the Scottish Nation digest give a short ladder.

John Spreull nephew and son of Robert receives the estate in 1555.
A grandson named John Spreull serves as Provost of Renfrew near the beginning of the reign of King Charles the First.
His son John Spreull 1616 serves as Principal Town Clerk of Glasgow and later as one of the Principal Clerks of Session. He is the author of Some Remarkable Passages of the Lords Providence.^[1]^[6]

Extracted family tree from Scottish Nation with notes

From the Scottish Nation surname page.^[1] Cowden and Coldoun in Renfrew and Lennox

Walter Sprewel of Cowden or Colden seneschal to Malcolm Earl of Lennox holds a grant of Dalquhairn in the reign of Alexander the Third
Walter Sprewel seneschal of Dumbarton holds a charter of Dalquhairn in the reign of King Robert the Bruce
Lineal succession in Cowden continues to 1622 and a sale by a Sprewel of Cowden to a Cochrane grantee per printed summaries

Ladymuir and Blackairn line

Master John Sprewel younger son of the Cowden family vicar of Dundonald in 1507 professor of philosophy rector of the University prebendary and later canon dies in 1555
- Sister Jonet Sprewel married Gabriel Semple later of Cathcart and Ladymuir
- Purchases by Master John include Ladymuir Castlehill Kingsmeadows Blackairn within Provan and a lodging in Glasgow
Successor nephew John Sprewel son of Robert burgess of Glasgow
- Grandson John Sprewel Provost of Renfrew near the start of the reign of King Charles the First
  - Son John Sprewel 1616 Town Clerk of Glasgow then one of the Principal Clerks of Session
    - Son John Sprewel of Blackairne married Agnes daughter of Andrew Sprewel of Milton
      - Son Andrew Sprewel of Blackairne writer in Edinburgh

Glasgow burgess families and other entries

Retain your burgess and Fife lists. They add control points for timing and kin. Cite protocol books and testaments when you attach parent child links. Useful reference: Abstracts of Protocols of the Town Clerks of Glasgow.

Clan note

Spreull descendants report recognition as a Sept of Clan Lennox by the Chief and Council of Lennox in the year 2020. The petition and the proclamation exist in private circulation. Add links when a host provides public copies. The Lennox tie suits the Dalquhurn chain and the many Lennox charters in which Spreulls appear.

Link notes and deconflicts

The 1515 charter is to John of Coldoun with Elizabeth Semple. Your link points to Spreule-2. Display that profile as Coldoun or create a Coldoun profile if needed.
The 1589 charter is to James younger of Coldoun. Your link Spreule-9 displays Cowden. Display Coldoun for this entry or split the person if two lines are mixed.
Keep John 1590 in the Ladymuir ladder. Do not place him as one of the Cowden laird Johns unless a retour states it.
Place Jonet Spreull wife of Gabriel Semple with the Cowden family as sister of Master John. Do not place her under Coldoun unless a deed states it.

Project and DNA pages

Bibliography and links

^[1]
^[6]
^[3]
^[4]
^[5]
^[2]
^[7]

Notes

Women appear under maiden surnames. Fear means heir apparent. Eik means an addition to a testament. Add precise deed numbers and page points as you find them.

References

Source references

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[[Category:Glasgow Name Study]]
<small>'''Glasgow Name Study:''' [[Space:Glasgow Name Study|project home]] · [[Space:Glasgow Research|research directory]] · [https://glasgow.phenotype.dev/ digital workbench]</small>


= '''The Spreule Spreull Sproul Sprowle Sprowl Families of Lennox and Renfrewshire''' =
A Free Space Page for sources, timelines, cadet branches, heraldry, and working notes. Please add sourced detail and improve summaries.

== '''Scope and name forms''' ==
The surname appears as '''Spreule''', '''Spreull''', '''Sprewel''', '''Sprewell''', '''Sproul''', '''Sproule''', '''Sprowle''', '''Sprowl'''. Treat these as one family unless a record states otherwise.<ref name=scottnation>[https://electricscotland.com/history/nation/sprewel.htm ''The Scottish Nation. Sprewel'']</ref>

== '''Arms and identity''' ==
Nisbet records purses or palmer scrips in the arms. Later armorial lists give for Cowden and Caldoun a blazon that reads '''Or a chevron chequy Azure and Argent between three purses Gules'''. A recorded variant reads '''Or a fess chequy Azure and Argent between three purses Gules'''.<ref name=nisbet1>[https://archive.org/details/systemofheraldry01nisbuoft ''Nisbet. A System of Heraldry'' vol 1]</ref>

== '''Key places''' ==
* '''Cowden''' parish of Neilston Renfrewshire. Main house of the family in printed successions.<ref name=scottnation />
* '''Coldoun or Caldoun''' in the Lennox orbit with Dalquhurn and Dalmuir. Primary line for Dalquhurn vassalage in the sixteen century.<ref name=irving187>[https://archive.org/details/bookofdumbartons02irvi/page/187/mode/1up ''The Book of Dumbartonshire'' vol II page 187 Dalquhurn Writs]</ref>
* '''Dalquhurn''' and '''Dalmuir''' Dumbartonshire. See record list under Coldoun below. Site notes appear at Canmore and Trove.<ref name=canmore>[https://canmore.org.uk/site/42375/renton-old-dalquhurn-house ''Canmore. Old Dalquhurn House'']</ref><ref name=troveplace>[https://www.trove.scot/place/42375 ''Trove. Dalquhurn place record'']</ref>
* '''Ladymuir''' with '''Castlehill''' '''Kings Meadow''' '''Kings Orchard''' and '''Castlemilk within the territory of the burgh of Renfrew'''. Master John acquires these in the fifteen forties.<ref name=metcalfe104>[https://archive.org/details/historyofcountyo00metc/page/104 ''A History of the County of Renfrew'' page 104]</ref>
* '''Blackairn''' within the Lordship of Provan and a lodging in Glasgow. Printed summaries place these with Master John.<ref name=scottnation />

== '''Origins and earliest notices''' ==
The Scottish Nation entry summarizes earlier charters. It names '''Walter Sprewel of Cowden or Colden''' as seneschal to Malcolm Earl of Lennox with a grant of Dalquhurn in the time of King Alexander the Third and a later '''Walter Sprewel seneschallus de Dumbarton''' with charter in the time of King Robert the Bruce. The Paisley chartulary names Spreull witnesses in Lennox charters.<ref name=scottnation /><ref name=paisley1>[https://archive.org/download/registrummonaste00mait/registrummonaste00mait.pdf ''Registrum Monasterii de Passelet'']</ref>

== '''Anchor timeline from the Dalquhurn Writs''' ==
The Dalquhurn list prints a continuous Coldoun chain. The same printed page also quotes Cowden items. The styles do not switch, so treat Coldoun and Cowden as distinct territorial names unless a deed says otherwise.<ref name=irving187 />
* '''12 February 1421''' Charter from Duncan Earl of Lennox to '''Walter Spreull dominus de Coldoun''' of Dalchurne on his own resignation.  
* '''1449''' Instrument of sasine on a precept of clare constat from Isabella Duchess of Albany Countess of Lennox in favour of '''Thomas Spreull son and heir of Walter Spreull''' in Dalchurne and Dalnair.  
* '''19 September 1461''' Charter under Great Seal to '''Robert Spreull son and heir apparent of Thomas Spreull''' and to '''Margaret Bruis''' his spouse of Dalquhyrne.  
* '''22 May 1502''' Discharge by Matthew Earl of Lennox of relief and forefaulture of Dalquhyrne and Dalmure to '''John Spreull of Coldoun''' and '''Elizabeth Blair''' his wife.  
* '''16 April 1515''' Charter from John Earl of Lennox to '''[[Spreule-2|John Spreule of Coldoun]]''' and to '''[[Semple-5|Elizabeth Semple]]''' his spouse of part of Dalquhyrne.  
* '''10 May 1515''' Sasine on the same charter.  
* '''4 June 1541''' Instrument of sasine of '''[[Spreule-7|Thomas Spreule of Coldoun]]''' in Dalquhurn on a precept of clare constat from Matthew Earl of Lennox as heir of his father '''John Spreule of Coldoun'''.  
* '''15 September 1559''' Instrument of sasine of '''Thomas Sprewll of Coldoun''' on a Crown precept in Dalmure.  
* '''Later sixteenth century''' Notarial copy of sasine of '''[[Spreull-6|John Spreull of Coldoun]]''' and '''Margaret Colquhoun''' his wife as heir apparent of '''Thomas Spreull of Coldoun''' in Dalquhurn and Dalmure on a precept from James Stewart of Cardonald.  
* '''24 July 1589''' Charter from Ludovick Duke of Lennox to '''[[Spreule-9|James Spreule younger of Coldoun]]''' and '''Agnes Kelso''' his spouse of Dalquhirne and Dalmure in fee on the resignation of his father '''John Spreule of Coldoun'''.  
* '''26 May 1612''' Instrument of sasine of one fourth part of Dalchurne in favour of '''Adam Colquhoun''' and '''Margaret Spreull''' his spouse.  
* '''1 December 1620''' Instruments of sasine on a precept from Ludovick Duke of Lennox on a resignation by '''James Spreull fiar of Coldoun''' of Dalchurne in favour of '''John Dennistoun in Kirkmichael'''.  
* '''17 January 1621''' Instrument of sasine of Dalchurne and Dalmuir in favour of '''James Spreull of Coldoun'''.  
These items appear together in the printed Dalquhurn Writs list on the cited page.<ref name=irving187 />

== '''Cowden main line quick spine''' ==
Printed successions give a continuous Cowden line into the early seventeen twenties.  
* '''[[Spreule-8|John Spreule of Cowden]]''' appears as laird in 1481.  
* '''[[Spreul-26|Robert Spreul of Cowden]]''' appears as laird by 1515.  
* Two men named '''John''' follow Robert in the Cowden succession. Keep the Ladymuir Johns separate in the next section.  
* '''James''' appears near the 1622 sale of Cowden. Printed books vary on the grantee name. Some text names William Lord Cochrane. Some text names Alexander Cochrane of that Ilk. Later digests say a Blair who used the Cochrane name received Cowden. Note the uncertainty until a deed turns up.<ref name=scottnation /><ref name=metcalfe104 />

== '''Ladymuir and Blackairn clerical cadet''' ==
Master '''[[Sprewel-11|John Sprewel of Ladymuir]]''' appears as a younger son of the Cowden family.  
* '''1507''' appointment as '''Vicar of Dundonald'''. The Glasgow summary also calls him '''Professor of Philosophy''' and later '''Rector''' of the University and a '''canon of Glasgow'''. The prebend carries the '''Rectory of Ancrum'''.<ref name=scottnation />  
* '''25 August 1541''' charter that calls him a canon of Glasgow and records his purchase from Lord Lyle of '''Kings Meadow''' '''Kings Orchard''' and '''Castlemilk''' within the territory of the burgh of Renfrew.<ref name=metcalfe104 />  
* '''25 April 1543''' contract at Cathcart that records his purchase of '''Ladymuir''' from '''Gabriel Semple of Ladymuir''' with '''Jonet Spreull''' his wife consenting. The deed names the seller’s wife and does not name a wife for the buyer.<ref name=metcalfe104 />  
* Printed notices also place with him '''Blackairn''' in Provan and a lodging in Glasgow.<ref name=scottnation />  
* '''1555''' death of Master John. The estate passes to his nephew '''[[Spreul-24|John Spreull]]''' son of his brother '''[[Spreul-26|Robert Spreul]]''' burgess of Glasgow.<ref name=scottnation /><ref name=metcalfe104 />

== '''Ladymuir after Master John''' ==
Printed county histories and the Scottish Nation digest give a short ladder.  
* '''John Spreull''' nephew and son of '''Robert''' receives the estate in 1555.  
* A grandson named '''[[Spreul-23|John Spreull]]''' serves as '''Provost of Renfrew''' near the beginning of the reign of King Charles the First.  
* His son '''[[Spreul-22|John Spreull 1616]]''' serves as '''Principal Town Clerk of Glasgow''' and later as one of the '''Principal Clerks of Session'''. He is the author of '''Some Remarkable Passages of the Lords Providence'''.<ref name=scottnation /><ref name=metcalfe104 />

== '''Extracted family tree from Scottish Nation with notes''' ==
From the Scottish Nation surname page.<ref name=scottnation />  
'''Cowden and Coldoun in Renfrew and Lennox'''  
* '''Walter Sprewel of Cowden or Colden''' seneschal to Malcolm Earl of Lennox holds a grant of Dalquhairn in the reign of Alexander the Third  
* '''Walter Sprewel seneschal of Dumbarton''' holds a charter of Dalquhairn in the reign of King Robert the Bruce  
* Lineal succession in Cowden continues to 1622 and a sale by a '''Sprewel''' of Cowden to a Cochrane grantee per printed summaries

'''Ladymuir and Blackairn line'''  
* '''Master John Sprewel''' younger son of the Cowden family vicar of Dundonald in 1507 professor of philosophy rector of the University prebendary and later canon dies in 1555  
** '''Sister Jonet Sprewel''' married '''Gabriel Semple''' later of Cathcart and Ladymuir  
** Purchases by Master John include '''Ladymuir''' '''Castlehill''' '''Kingsmeadows''' '''Blackairn''' within Provan and a lodging in Glasgow  
* Successor nephew '''[[Spreul-24|John Sprewel]]''' son of '''[[Spreul-26|Robert]]''' burgess of Glasgow  
** Grandson '''[[Spreul-23|John Sprewel]]''' Provost of Renfrew near the start of the reign of King Charles the First  
*** Son '''[[Spreul-22|John Sprewel 1616]]''' Town Clerk of Glasgow then one of the Principal Clerks of Session  
**** Son '''John Sprewel of Blackairne''' married '''Agnes''' daughter of '''Andrew Sprewel of Milton'''  
***** Son '''Andrew Sprewel of Blackairne''' writer in Edinburgh

== '''Glasgow burgess families and other entries''' ==
Retain your burgess and Fife lists. They add control points for timing and kin. Cite protocol books and testaments when you attach parent child links. Useful reference: [https://www.tradeshouselibrary.org/uploads/4/7/7/2/47723681/abstracts_of_protocols_of_the_town_clerks_of_glasgow__1900.pdf ''Abstracts of Protocols of the Town Clerks of Glasgow''].

== '''Clan note''' ==
Spreull descendants report recognition as a '''Sept of Clan Lennox''' by the Chief and Council of Lennox in the year 2020. The petition and the proclamation exist in private circulation. Add links when a host provides public copies. The Lennox tie suits the Dalquhurn chain and the many Lennox charters in which Spreulls appear.

== '''Link notes and deconflicts''' ==
* The '''1515''' charter is to '''John of Coldoun''' with '''Elizabeth Semple'''. Your link points to [[Spreule-2]]. Display that profile as Coldoun or create a Coldoun profile if needed.  
* The '''1589''' charter is to '''James younger of Coldoun'''. Your link [[Spreule-9]] displays Cowden. Display Coldoun for this entry or split the person if two lines are mixed.  
* Keep '''[[Spreul-23|John 1590]]''' in the Ladymuir ladder. Do not place him as one of the Cowden laird Johns unless a retour states it.  
* Place '''Jonet Spreull''' wife of '''Gabriel Semple''' with the Cowden family as sister of Master John. Do not place her under Coldoun unless a deed states it.

== '''Project and DNA pages''' ==
* [http://www.Sprouls.org '''Sprouls dot org''']  
* [https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/sproul '''Sproul DNA group at FamilyTreeDNA''']

== '''Bibliography and links''' ==
* <span id="scottnation"></span><ref name=scottnation />  
* <span id="metcalfe104"></span><ref name=metcalfe104 />  
* <span id="irving187"></span><ref name=irving187 />  
* <span id="canmore"></span><ref name=canmore />  
* <span id="troveplace"></span><ref name=troveplace />  
* <span id="nisbet1"></span><ref name=nisbet1 />  
* <span id="paisley1"></span><ref name=paisley1 />

== '''Notes''' ==
Women appear under maiden surnames. Fear means heir apparent. Eik means an addition to a testament. Add precise deed numbers and page points as you find them.

== '''References''' ==
<references />