The Holburnes were descended from Sir Thomas Holburne of the district of Tullibole, near Kinross, in the 15th century. His descendants moved to Menstrie, near Stirling, by the early 17th century. The family motto was Decus Summum Virtus, ‘the highest glory is virtue’.
James Holburne (d.1687) was in the army, reaching the rank of Major-General, and fought for the Parliamentarians in the Civil War, fighting at Newbury and Taunton. During the Commonwealth though he supported the Royalist and Scots armies against Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland. A Presbyterian, he was imprisoned for two years in Edinburgh Castle during the Restoration for religious non-conformity. He bought Menstrie Castle in 1649, former home of the Alexander family. Sir William Alexander (d.1640), 1st Earl of Stirling, served James VI/I and Charles I and he founded and colonized Nova Scotia. This purchase by James Holburne added significantly to his lands and status.
His grandson James (c.1671-1737) was created the 1st baronet in 1706. He sold Menstrie Castle in 1719. His sons were James, 2nd baronet (d.1758), Captain William and Admiral Francis; James’ brothers and sons, James and Alexander, all served in the Navy. Captain William achieved the rank of Lieutenant in 1739 and Captain of the Prince Frederick in 1748. He was the older brother of the Admiral and served under him in Nova Scotia in 1755 and 1757. William also served in the Mediterranean. He died at sea in 1760.