[1] The historian, Black, gives two variations of the name, from either a vill or manor near Yvetot in Normandy or from Beuzevill near Bolbec.

[1] During the Wars of Scottish Independence chief Walter de Bosville was taken prisoner by the English at the Battle of Dunbar (1296).

[1] During the Anglo-Scottish Wars of the 16th century chief Sir Alexander Boswell of Balmuto was killed at the battle of Flodden in 1513.

John Boswell of Balmuto was knighted at Stirling Castle on 30 August 1594, at the baptism of Prince Henry.

His son, James Boswell, 9th Laird of Auchinleck, was the famous biographer of Dr Samuel Johnson.