Stewart was the Royal House of Scotland between 1371 and 1603 and, following the Union of the Crowns, of Scotland and England between 1603 and 1714. There were fourteen Stewart monarchs in all.
The line is descended from Walter, created hereditary Great Steward of Scotland by King David I (1084 - 1153). Another Walter, the 6th Great Steward, distinguished himself at Bannockburn and was knighted by Robert the Bruce. Walter married Robert's sister, and their son later became King Robert II. The Great Stewards were supporters of Paisley Abbey, and are buried there.
A branch of this family form the Stuarts of Bute, who are hereditary Sheriffs of Bute and Arran, Keepers of Rothesay Castle and Marquesses of Bute. The Stuarts of Darnley became the Earls of Lennox. The Stewart Earldoms have included Angus, Arran, Atholl, Bothwell, Buchan, Caithness, Carrick, Fife, Galloway, Mar, March, Menteith, Moray, Orkney, Strathearn and Traquair.
The family can trace its ancestry back to Brittany (France), and had lands in East Lothian and Renfrewshire.