Earl Haig
Earl Haig is a title in the peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1919 for Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. During the First World War, he served as commander of the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front in France and Belgium (1915–18). Haig was made Viscount Dawick and Baron Haig, of Bemersyde in the County of Berwick, at the same time he was given the earldom, also in the peerage of the United Kingdom The viscountcy of Dawick is used as a courtesy title by the Earl's son and heir apparent. As of 2022 the titles are held by the first earl's grandson, the third earl, who succeeded his father in 2009.
| Earldom Haig Chief of Clan Haig | |
|---|---|
Arms: Azure a Saltire between two Mullets in chief and base, a Decrescent and Increscent in fess Argent. Crest: A Rock proper. Supporters: Dexter: a Bay Horse caparisoned, thereon mounted a Trooper of the 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars, habited, armed and accoutred, all proper. Sinister: a Bay Horse caparisoned, thereon mounted a Lancer of the 17th (The Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Lancers, habited, armed and accoutred, all proper. | |
| Creation date | 18 October 1919 |
| Created by | King George V |
| Peerage | Peerage of the United Kingdom |
| First holder | Sir Douglas Haig |
| Present holder | Alexander Haig, 3rd Earl Haig |
| Remainder to | 1st Earl's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten |
| Subsidiary titles | Viscount Dawick Baron Haig |
| Status | Extant |
| Seat(s) | Bemersyde House |
| Motto | TYDE WHAT MAY (What will be, will be) |
The family seat is Bemersyde House, near Newtown St. Boswells, Roxburghshire.
The family motto is "Tyde what may", which refers to a 13th-century poem by Thomas the Rhymer which predicted that there would always be a Haig in Bemersyde:
'Tyde what may betyde
Haig shall be Haig of Bemersyde'.