As he died under the age of 21, the barony of Errol, Perthshire, were held by the crown all his life.

[2] William Hay married Lady Helen (whose name also appears as "Elenor" and "Helenor") Stewart, eldest daughter of John Stewart, 3rd Earl of Lennox.

They had one daughter: The Earl of Erroll died on 11 April 1541, in Edinburgh, being under 21 years of age.

His wife Helen later remarried John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland.

Six months after his death, the earldom and barony were restored to his cousin, George Hay, the grandson of William Hay, 3rd Earl of Erroll.