The original Boyd family were vassals of the de Morevilles, a powerful Anglo-Norman family with estates in the Lowlands whom the Boyds probably accompanied from England. The current chief is Robin Jordan Boyd, 8th Baron Kilmarnock.The Boyd family came to political prominence during the mid-fifteenth century. Robert, the eldest son of Sir Thomas Boyd of Kilmarnock, was named Lord Boyd by King James II of Scotland. James II was killed by a cannon explosion in 1460, leaving his nine-year old son to succeed him as James III. Lord Boyd was named Protector of James III and eventually was named Regent of Scotland. However, political fortunes turned against him, and in 1469 was tried and sentenced to death for treason for having earlier kidnapped James III in an episode associated with his rise to power. Lord Boyd fled to England, leaving his younger brother Alexander to be hanged in his stead.
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