The origins of Clan Balfour stem from Siward but not the Siward we all may think, from findings of researcher and author Adrain Grant in his latest book on the Kingdom Of Fife he lays out the true origins of the Balfours. For many years it was believed that Siward, Earl of Northumbria was progenitor of the clan; Siward already was the progenitor of Earls of Huntingdon (of Robin Hood fame), Clan Duncan, the Dunbardsm, the Siwards and a few more via his numerous legitimate and illegitimate children that also included some Strathcdlyde nobles from his stint as protector of the KIngdom of Strathclyde. The Balfours still come from a Siward who was not only the real Thane Of Fife (yes that famous Thane of Fife from Shakespeare MacBeth) but he was the Nephew of the Siward, Earl of Northumbria. Son of Earl Siwards sister Bera who married a man named Osluf (whose name comes up later in Balfour history). Osluf also descends on his maternal side from royal and noble families of Gododdin and Dalradia.
Siward Thane of Fife had a sister named Bera or Suthea who married Duncan the First of Scotland whose son was Malcom III . Now Siward, Earl of Northumbria had a brother (actually several siblings and half ones) named Crinan Abbot of Dunkled who married Bethoc daughter of Malcom II . Bera married her First cousin
Siward, Thane of Fife had 2 sons Osluf and Siward (yes a popular name) both his sons are the progenitors of the 2 main branches of Clan Balfour. Osluf is the one who gets the head of Ottar the Dane and granted lands in Fife along with the title Baron of Strah of Or, it is also known as StrathOR, the Valley of Or, between the River Leven and the River Or. Osluf and his descendants get the hereditary title Sheriff of Fife.
Siward Thane of Fife was also Malcome III uncle.
So Siward, Thane of Fife is the progenitor of Clan Balfour, the Balfours are cousins to the kings of Scotland. Other Balfours marry into other ruling families and the Stewarts. Serving the Stewart Monarchs of Scotland and later of Britain, all the way to the House of Windsor.
More details of Siward, Thane of Fife and the location of his wooden castle to come in updates
