Quote Originally Posted by JSFMACLJR View Post
It is usual--and the law--that peers of the Realm sign their name with the title only; hence the Duke would sign his name simply as "Buccleuch." I doubt very much that the late Duke of Buccleuch signed anything "Scott" or "Dalkeith," except the latter when he had not inherited and went by the courtesy title of the Earl of Dalkeith. The "family name" is Scott.
Sorry to go off topic again, folks... just putting out information in case this ever gets referenced again.

Actually, according to His Grace (and as Bruce Scott has noted), the family name is 'Montagu Douglas Scott', no hyphens. (Per a letter to the Clan Scott Society, published in the Stag & Thistle quarterly newsletter, Oct/Nov/Dec 2008). According to His Grace, that's what was on their family passports until relatively recently. In his letter, he said his children tend to use the dominant 'Scott' on a day-to-day basis. (His heir is probably still getting used to being Earl of Dalkeith now.)

The late Duke once stated (I don't recall where I read/heard that) that he preferred to use simply 'Scott' when being listed by name and title, e.g. "Walter Francis John Scott, Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry". He did indeed sign letters and other messages simply as Buccleuch, as is the custom for peers of his station.

As MoR points out, the current Duke appears to be using the modern social custom. 'Richard Buccleuch' is how His Grace signed the forementioned letter.