Walter fitz Alan

Walter fitz Alan (c. 1106/1110–1177), younger son of the Anglo-Norman baron Alan fitz Flaad, entered David I of Scotland’s service around 1136 and became royal steward around 1150, serving David, Malcolm IV and William the Lion. He received western lordships and in 1163 founded Paisley Priory.

He may have commanded when Somerled was slain near Renfrew in 1164. He died at Melrose in 1177 and was buried at Paisley; his son Alan inherited his office, from which the royal House of Stewart took its name.