There has been one creation of abaronetcy with the surnameClerk (/klɑːrk/) (as distinct fromClark,Clarke andClerke). It was created in theBaronetage of Nova Scotia byLetters Patent dated 24 March 1679, forJohn Clerk of Pennycuik (or Penicuik; seePenicuik House). His father, the merchantJohn Clerk, had returned from Paris in 1647 with a considerable fortune and purchased the lands ofPenicuik inMidlothian. The 1st Baronet acquired the lands ofLasswade, Midlothian, in 1700. The second Baronet builtMavisbank House nearLoanhead between 1723 and 1727.[1]
The 3rd Baronet, James, laid out plans for a new town in 1770, inspired by the local plans for a New Town inEdinburgh which were by then coming into reality.[2] The rebuilding included a new church, St Mungos, in 1771, reputedly by Sir James himself.
The family are said by Anderson (1867) to date from at least 1180 AD when one of them appeared as a witness to a donation toHolyrood Abbey byWilliam The Lion.John Scougal is known to have painted at least two portraits of the first baronets.
A number of the lineage are buried in Penicuik Old Parish Churchyard, with both a memorial gateway and a mausoleum to their memories.
