Documents & Archives
Charters, Seals, and Historical Records
A glimpse into the archives: historical legal documents and registers, reflecting the preservation of baronial and territorial records over centuries.
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Below are the official documents and evidentiary materials attesting to the legitimacy, historical continuity, and legal recognition of the Barony and Lordship of Leslie, including instruments issued under the Great Seal of Scotland, entries in the Scottish Barony Register, and warrants granted by the Court of the Lord Lyon.
All documents provided in this section are made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), and may be freely used, reproduced, and cited without restriction, including for academic, historical, and encyclopedic purposes such as Wikipedia and similar platforms. |
Crown & Parliamentary Instruments
| great_seal_of_scotland_leslie_cc-by-4.0.pdf |
| charter_of_confirmation_1859_leslie_cc-by-4.0.pdf |
Extract from the Great Seal of Scotland
Authenticated under the Magnum Sigillum Regni Scotiae, the royal seal affixed to charters, patents and parliamentary acts since the fourteenth century. The enrolled extract reproduced here records the barony’s erection and traces its earliest legal identity, providing unimpeachable Crown confirmation of the dignity’s territorial designation.
Charter of Confirmation, 22 January 1859
Granted in Queen Victoria’s name and sealed at Holyrood, this was the last Charter of Confirmation ever issued for a Scottish feudal barony. It re-states in modern form all earlier rights, jurisdictions and heraldic privileges of the Barony and Lordship of Leslie, making it a pivotal bridge between mediaeval tenure and contemporary property law.
Authenticated under the Magnum Sigillum Regni Scotiae, the royal seal affixed to charters, patents and parliamentary acts since the fourteenth century. The enrolled extract reproduced here records the barony’s erection and traces its earliest legal identity, providing unimpeachable Crown confirmation of the dignity’s territorial designation.
Charter of Confirmation, 22 January 1859
Granted in Queen Victoria’s name and sealed at Holyrood, this was the last Charter of Confirmation ever issued for a Scottish feudal barony. It re-states in modern form all earlier rights, jurisdictions and heraldic privileges of the Barony and Lordship of Leslie, making it a pivotal bridge between mediaeval tenure and contemporary property law.
Modern Title Deeds & Succession
| deed_of_assignation_2024_leslie_cc-by-4.0.pdf |
| scottish_barony_register_certificate_leslie_cc-by-4.0.pdf |
Deed of Assignation – Sir Christopher Ondaatje to Dr Giacomo Merello
The Deed of Assignation of the Barony and Lordship of Leslie (2024) marks the formal transfer of the dignity from the previous holder to the current Baron in accordance with Scottish feudal custom and law. Stamped and recorded by the Scottish Barony Register (SBR), this deed ensures the lawful continuity and recognition of the Barony, preserving its territorial designation and rights under the stewardship of its new holder. The document stands as a testament to the enduring heritage of the Leslie title, reflecting the commitment to safeguarding and honouring the historic legacy of the Barony for future generations. A copy of the official entry in The Edinburgh Gazette can be viewed here for reference.
Certificate of Registration – Scottish Barony Register
The Certificate of Registration issued by the Scottish Barony Register (SBR) formally records the Barony and Lordship of Leslie under the name of its current holder, ensuring its lawful recognition and continuity within the framework of Scottish feudal heritage. This certificate confirms that the Deed of Assignation and all supporting documentation have been duly examined and registered, preserving the territorial dignity and its historic designation in accordance with established Scottish practices. It stands as an enduring record of the Barony’s lawful status, reflecting the commitment to protecting and honouring the Leslie legacy for the future.
The Deed of Assignation of the Barony and Lordship of Leslie (2024) marks the formal transfer of the dignity from the previous holder to the current Baron in accordance with Scottish feudal custom and law. Stamped and recorded by the Scottish Barony Register (SBR), this deed ensures the lawful continuity and recognition of the Barony, preserving its territorial designation and rights under the stewardship of its new holder. The document stands as a testament to the enduring heritage of the Leslie title, reflecting the commitment to safeguarding and honouring the historic legacy of the Barony for future generations. A copy of the official entry in The Edinburgh Gazette can be viewed here for reference.
Certificate of Registration – Scottish Barony Register
The Certificate of Registration issued by the Scottish Barony Register (SBR) formally records the Barony and Lordship of Leslie under the name of its current holder, ensuring its lawful recognition and continuity within the framework of Scottish feudal heritage. This certificate confirms that the Deed of Assignation and all supporting documentation have been duly examined and registered, preserving the territorial dignity and its historic designation in accordance with established Scottish practices. It stands as an enduring record of the Barony’s lawful status, reflecting the commitment to protecting and honouring the Leslie legacy for the future.
Heraldic Authority
| lord_lyon_signed_warrant_cc-by-4.0.pdf |
| coat_of_arms_leslie_cc-by-4.0.jpeg |
Warrant of Arms, Court of the Lord Lyon
Signed 19 February 2024 by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the sole heraldic authority in Scotland. The warrant grants arms to Dr Merello, jurisdiction having arisen through the dignity's entitlement. It authorises full achievement—including baronial helm—thus visually embodying the territorial designation in heraldic form.
Signed 19 February 2024 by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the sole heraldic authority in Scotland. The warrant grants arms to Dr Merello, jurisdiction having arisen through the dignity's entitlement. It authorises full achievement—including baronial helm—thus visually embodying the territorial designation in heraldic form.
| lord_lyon_coat_of_arms.pdf |
Letters Patent of Sir Philip Christopher Ondaatje, Feudal Earl of Rothes and Baron & Feudal Lord of Leslie
Matriculated 6 August 2007 – Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms
This Letters Patent, issued by the Court of the Lord Lyon on 6 August 2007 to Sir Philip Christopher Ondaatje, is an important document in the modern history of the Barony of Leslie. It is exceptional in that it explicitly names the grantee as “Baron and Feudal Lord of Leslie” within the formal text—a form, or style, of wording that has often been omitted in more recent matriculations. As such, it provides a clear and recent precedent for the express recognition of the baronial dignity in its higher Lordship form in official heraldic instruments. The record in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland captures not only the full heraldic achievement but also the crest, badge, and standard associated with the dignity, preserving the visual and legal identity of the Barony and confirming the continuity of title from Sir Christopher to the present holder, Giacomo Merello, Baron of Leslie.
Legal & Copyright Disclaimer
The above file is a faithful reproduction of the original Letters Patent issued by the Court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, on 6 August 2007 to Sir Philip Christopher Ondaatje, at the time Feudal Earl of Rothes and Baron and Feudal Lord of Leslie. The armorial bearings, crest, badge, and standard depicted remain protected under the Lyon King of Arms Act 1672 and other applicable laws. They may not be used, reproduced, or displayed for any purpose without the express authority of the Lord Lyon King of Arms or the lawful holder of the dignity. This reproduction is published for historical and documentary purposes only. The artistic emblazonment remains the copyright of its creator and/or the Court of the Lord Lyon.
Matriculated 6 August 2007 – Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms
This Letters Patent, issued by the Court of the Lord Lyon on 6 August 2007 to Sir Philip Christopher Ondaatje, is an important document in the modern history of the Barony of Leslie. It is exceptional in that it explicitly names the grantee as “Baron and Feudal Lord of Leslie” within the formal text—a form, or style, of wording that has often been omitted in more recent matriculations. As such, it provides a clear and recent precedent for the express recognition of the baronial dignity in its higher Lordship form in official heraldic instruments. The record in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland captures not only the full heraldic achievement but also the crest, badge, and standard associated with the dignity, preserving the visual and legal identity of the Barony and confirming the continuity of title from Sir Christopher to the present holder, Giacomo Merello, Baron of Leslie.
Legal & Copyright Disclaimer
The above file is a faithful reproduction of the original Letters Patent issued by the Court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, on 6 August 2007 to Sir Philip Christopher Ondaatje, at the time Feudal Earl of Rothes and Baron and Feudal Lord of Leslie. The armorial bearings, crest, badge, and standard depicted remain protected under the Lyon King of Arms Act 1672 and other applicable laws. They may not be used, reproduced, or displayed for any purpose without the express authority of the Lord Lyon King of Arms or the lawful holder of the dignity. This reproduction is published for historical and documentary purposes only. The artistic emblazonment remains the copyright of its creator and/or the Court of the Lord Lyon.
External Registers & Scholarly References
- Burke's Peerage. Burke’s Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage is the most authoritative reference work on the genealogy and heraldry of the United Kingdom’s titled families, including peers, feudal barons, landed gentry, and knightly orders. Established in 1826, it remains the gold standard for verifying hereditary titles and armorial bearings. The current edition includes a dedicated biographical entry for Dr Giacomo Merello, recording his lineage and his titles as Baron and Lord of Leslie, as well as his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross in the Royal Order of the Eagle of Georgia. Inclusion in Burke’s Peerage affirms the historical and legal legitimacy of these honours. Importantly, Burke’s Peerage is presently the only formally recognised source for registering a feudal barony title on a UK passport or driving licence, making its record both symbolically prestigious and practically significant. Find the official listing in Burke’s Peerage—just enter “Giacomo Merello” in the name search field to locate the full biographical and heraldic entry.
- International Armorial Register – Entry No. 0739 (Vol. 5). A peer-reviewed global compendium of lawful armorial bearings. Inclusion confirms that the Leslie arms meet international heraldic standards and ensures perpetual public notice of the barony’s insignia. Volume 1 was first published under the brand of Burke's Peerage & Gentry International Register of Arms in 2011, changing name to the International Armorial Register from Volume 2 onwards. http://www.armorialregister.com/arms-sco/merello-g-arms.html
- Debrett’s “Directory of Scottish Feudal Barons”. Published by Debrett’s, London’s pre-eminent authority on the British aristocracy since 1769. Listing in the directory attests to the barony’s social precedence and its acceptance within the broader hierarchy of United Kingdom dignities. The Barony and Lordship of Leslie entry is registered on https://debretts.com/directories/other-titles-2/the-feudal-baronies-of-scotland/
- Registry of Scots Nobility (RSN). A specialist private index curated by senior Scottish jurists and historians. The RSN records successions to bona fide Scots dignities that have been validated either by the Lord Lyon or the SBR, offering an additional layer of scholarly corroboration. The Baron is a registered member of the Registry of Scots Nobility and has been awarded the Jewel, an additional ceremonial honour granted in recognition of his baronial dignity and contributions to Scottish heritage. http://www.registryofscotsnobility.com/baronage/
- The Scottish Registry of Tartans (SRT). The Merello Tartan is officially recorded in the Scottish Register of Tartans, the national repository established and maintained by the Scottish Government to preserve and promote Scotland’s textile heritage. Each tartan in the Register is uniquely documented with its thread count, symbolic meaning, and registered ownership, ensuring its authenticity and cultural significance. The Merello Tartan reflects the personal and familial heritage of the Baron and may be viewed in full via the official register. https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=14723
- The Forum for the Scottish Baronage features a dedicated entry on the Barony and Lordship of Leslie, providing additional historical insights, territorial context, and lineage details of the Leslie barony within the Scottish feudal framework. This external resource complements our archival materials by situating the Barony of Leslie within the wider narrative of Scotland’s baronial history, offering visitors an opportunity to explore how the Leslie lands and title have contributed to the enduring tapestry of Fife’s heritage. Visit the Forum's page on the Barony of Leslie here.
- The Authoritative Roll of Barons proposes to become an official, continuously updated record of Scotland’s baronial heritage—currently listing 156 verified and 209 pending entries as of 22 July 2025. Maintained by the trusted Keepers of the Roll, it preserves centuries-old lineage and title histories, and ensures each entry is carefully authenticated using legal documentation and heraldic verification. This is the Roll's entry on the current Baron of Leslie.
- Wiki Entries. For a concise public summary of the Barony and Lordship of Leslie, including its historical background, territorial designation, and heraldic details, see the Wikipedia entry, and the Barony's entry on Wikitia. These online encyclopedia resources complement the primary documents and charters preserved in our archives by providing an accessible overview for visitors and researchers alike.
Continuing Curation
The archive grows as new scholarship emerges—whether further sasine extracts, estate plans of Leslie House, or peer-reviewed articles on the Leslie family’s historical impact. Researchers wishing to contribute primary material, or to request higher-resolution images for academic use, are invited to contact the barony's secretariat here.
Together, these instruments and references form a transparent evidential chain from the reign of Malcolm III to the present day, charting an unbroken line of lawful possession and heraldic recognition for the Barony and Lordship of Leslie.
Together, these instruments and references form a transparent evidential chain from the reign of Malcolm III to the present day, charting an unbroken line of lawful possession and heraldic recognition for the Barony and Lordship of Leslie.
Media, Press and Articles
The Barony and Lordship of Leslie has been acknowledged in prominent international publications, reflecting its rich heritage and global connections. Highlights include coverage in an Italian-language article from Nuvolemercati discussing modern applications of heraldic law and nobility, Lord Leslie’s investiture as a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Eagle of Georgia, and an Expat Living feature highlighting his involvement in citizenship-by-investment programmes and legal heraldry. The Baron of Leslie periodically published articles on Medium discussing the intersection of heritage, law and purposeful living.
