[1] He became head of the family on the death of his 15-year-old nephew James, 2nd Lord Boyd in 1484.
He was Chamberlain of Kilmarnock before 2 August 1488 and a witness to the sasine of Queen Margaret to the Lordship of Kilmarnock on 19 April 1504.
[2] He was said to be a favourite of King James IV.
[3] Alexander Boyd married Janet, sister of Sir William and daughter of Sir Robert Colville of Ochiltree on 23 November 1505.
[2][4] They were related within the third and third and fourth and fourth degrees of consanguinity, and had a dispensation for the marriage already contracted between them and legitimising the children already born, 23 November 1505.