Elgesbrich, Varia Capella
Falkirk is a parish in the eastern part of Stirlingshire. It is bounded on the north by Dunipace, Larbert, and Bothkennar, on the east by Polmont and Muiravonside, and on the west by Dumbartonshire and Denny. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Bainsford or Brainsford, Barleyside, Bonnybridge, Camelon, Castlecary, Falkirk, Glen, Grahamstown, Grangemouth, Laurieston, West Carron Ironworks
Bantaskine, Callendar, Kerse House
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The church, dedicated to St Modan, previous to the Reformation belonged to the Abbey of Holyroodhouse. It was included in the Presbytery of Stirling until 1508, though in Linlithgow, 17 May 1614.
Disjoined Quoad Sacra Parishes:
Bonnybridge. A church was opened here on 11 November 1877. The parish of Bonnybridge was disjoined from Denny, Dunipace and Camelon on 14 March 1878.
Camelon. Disjoined from Falkirk, and erected into a parish quoad sacra by Court of Teinds, March 1853. Church built in 1839.
Grahamston. Disjoined from Falkirk and erected into a parish quoad sacra by Court of Teinds, 6 December 1875.
Grangemouth. Declared a parish quoad sacra by the General Assembly, 29 May 1837. Disjoined from Falkirk and erected a parish quoad sacra by Court of Teinds, 7 June 1880. Church built in 1866.
Kerse. Disjoined from Falkirk and erected into a parish quoad sacra by Court of Teinds, 13 July 1906. Church and halls built in 1899.
Laurieston. Disjoined from Falkirk and erected into a parish quoad sacra, 10 July 1914.
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
Falkirk (QO)
Bonnybridge (QS)
Camelon (QS)
Grahamston (QS)
Grangemouth (QS)
Kerse (QS)
Laurieston (QS)
(1928: Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, by Hew Scott, D. D.)
Parish registers turned over to the Registrar-General, as a result of the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (Scotland) Act of 1854. The letters B. D. and M. indicate Births (or Baptisms), Deaths (or Burials), and Marriages (or Proclamations of Banns) respectively. Numbers indicate separate volumes or books. Note: These records are by no means complete or without damage; consult the Detailed List of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland (1872) to learn more about the condition of the records.
| OPR and RD Numbers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date Range | Name | Number | Type |
| 1594-1854 | Falkirk | 479 | OPR |
| 1855-1891 | Falkirk Burgh | 479-1 | RD |
| 1855-1891 | Falkirk Landward | 479-2 | RD |
| 1892-1971 | Falkirk | 479 | RD |
| 1972-2003 | Falkirk, Stirling | 479 | RD |
| 2004-2008 | Falkirk, Falkirk | 479 | RD |
| 2009 | Falkirk Council, Falkirk | 479 | RD |
| 2026 | Falkirk Council; Falkirk Central Community Council | ||
(2009: Parishes and Registration Districts of Scotland - Old and New, National Records of Scotland)
Local community councils (2026) are provided as a potential source of additional information for settlements within the original boundaries of the parish. (Source)
Statistics from informal and official censuses
Anderson, Brown, Campbell, Miller, Mitchell, Morrison, Scott, Smith, Taylor, Wilson
Note: Names appearing in research materials, other than censuses. Simple names (First name, surname only) have been omitted unless they appear associated with large properties. All women's names, and men's names with occupations, military ranks, or peerage titles are included.
By James Wilson, M. A., Minister of the Parish.
"The parish of Falkirk contains about 8020 inhabitants. In the town there are 3892; in the village of Camelon there are 568; in that of Briansford, 758; in the village of Grangemouth, 410; and in that of Laurieston, 858; in the country part of the parish the inhabitants are about 1534 in number.
Forty years ago there were but 3 surgeons in the town of Falkirk; but at present there is 1 physician, 5 surgeons, and 2 druggists. About 60 years ago there were then only 3 bakers in Falkirk, and they were but occasionally employed. There are now 18 bakers in the town of Falkirk, and 6 in the different villages within the parish. Forty years ago there were but 2 grocers in Falkirk; they complained of little business, and one of them was also a tallow-chandler. We have now 22 in that line of business; some of them carry on an extensive trade, both in wholesale and retail, and import wine, &c. from foreign parts. There are now four clock and watchmakers in the town of Falkirk."
(This section contains excerpts, at times restructured or paraphrased, from an article appearing in Statistical Account of Scotland, Sir John Sinclair, 1791-1799)
Primary Sources:
Statistical Account of Scotland (1791-1799), Volume 19, p. 71
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 8, Section II, p. 1
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
