Maxton, General

Promoted by the landowner, Ker of Littledean, the village of Maxton became a Burgh of Barony in 1587, a chartered status which entitled the community to have resident craftsmen and to hold a weekly market and one or more annual fairs.

Maxton's origins are probably, however, far more ancient in date. The name 'Maxton' may come from Maccus, an Anglo-Saxon noble who was granted these lands in the eleventh century after fleeing from England and who was probably the ancestor of that prominent Border family, the Maxwells, whose name is derived from 'Maccus-vill'.

In 1200, Hugh de Normanville obtained the lands through marriage, and after that, the estate passed through various hands until by the late sixteenth century it was in the possession of the Kers of Littledean. Like many other Border towns and villages, Maxton suffered throughout the medieval period as a result of hostile raids carried out by English soldiers, who burned the village on more than one occasion. Evidently, however, it was a populous place, given that it is said that it was possible to raise 1000 armed men from those resident in the parish.

Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project

NT63SW 33 centred 61358 30209

For Burgh Cross (NT 61334 30207), see NT63SW 27.

Maxton (NT 613 301) is now a decayed hamlet, but was formerly of nearly the size and importance of Kelso.

J A Wade 1861.

Erected burgh of barony in 1587/8.

G S Pryde 1965.