Around 1330 there were two brothers John and Ralph, who moved to Roxburgh. There they established to two main Kerr families of Scotland. Those descended from Ralph becomes the Kerrs of Ferniehurst Castle (Ferniehirst), while those of John became the Kers of Cessford Castle. Soon the two families became rivals as their power on the Scottish borders grew.
In 1451 Andrew Ker of Cessford got the Barony of Old Roxburgh. In 1502 Sir Andrew Kerr of Ferniehurst acquired the Barony of Oxnam by Royal Charter.
The two family's rivalry ended in 1631 due to the marriage of William Kerr of Ferniehurst and Anne Ker of Cessford.
Clan Kerr motto- 'Sero sed serio' (Late but in earnest)
