William Venator (1st Laird)

William Venator (b. 1080) was the first chief of Clan Hunter. Born in Normandy, France. He became the first chief from 1116-1153.

He was born Gilbert de Venables IV and changed his name to Gilbert Huntar, as to how it transformed to William Venator is still under research by ancestral historians.

It is unkown if he married Margary Croxton de Hatton (b. 1125) from Kinderton, Cheshire but they had 4 children. Margary died in 1157 in Somme, France.

Childs Name	Birth	Death	Spouse
William De Venables	1134	1228	?
Amibilla of Venables	1147	1200	?
Norman Hunter (Venator)	?	1200	Maud
Gilbert de Venables	?	?	Margaet Hatton

William Venator (William The Hunter) was named in a document of the Royal court of David Prince of Cumbria soon to be King David I of Scotland (ca 1116) together with Hugh de Morville and other men of rank or importance.

Ventor in latin means "The Hunter"

It is suggested that the original chief and his family received a grant of land at Hunterston from William the Conqueror David I Scotland returned to Scotland after a few years to serve his brother-king in various capacities, including heading up an inquiry to settle the matter of the extent of church lands in the area south and west of Glasgow.

That session was held in 1116, and the resulting agreement between local principal landholders and the church was signed by William Hunter (actually as “Venator,” in Latin as was done with all legal documents involving the church). David succeeded to the throne on the unexpected death of his brother in 1124.

It is suggested that the standing of David and William Hunter was such that the latter was given a grant of land at Hunterston.