Colmonell, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2)

Vol. # ___5__ County: ________Ayr___________ Parish: _______Colmonell__________

This account was written in

1838.

The name of this parish may derive from the Latin

word Columba meaning pigeon, because the woods abound with wood-pigeons.

Colmonell is the nearest town.

Craigneil is a particular fine ruin. It was built in the thirteenth century, and is said to be one of the hiding places of King Robert the Bruce. The Duchess deCoigny is the major land owner.

The land was primarily used for,

oats, wheat, barley, potatoes, turnips, sheep, cattle, horses, and swine.

The population in

1801 was1306. The population in 1831 was 2213.

The registers begin in 1759 but nothing was said of there accuracy.

Four-fifths of the whole population are of the Established Church. There are two Dissenting Congregations, one of Reformed Presbyterians, and another of Original Seceders. A few belong to the United Secession church, and about forty Roman Catholics