I have always wondered, as have many ohers, which "noble" family the Caldwell's were affiliated with.
It has been said that they came to Scotland in the train of the FitzAllan's or de Morvilles (or both).
The family bane seems to have originated almost simultaneously in central Ayrshire and in Renfrew. It also appears that there are other families that are similarly located. ie: there seems a definite split betweenthe lands in Renfrew and the lands in Ayrshire and yet the families seem to have connections to each. The feudal lords that held the lands where the Caldwells seem to have originated would appear to have been the early Stewarts. The lands in between (in Cunningham) were de Morville (eventually Montgomery) in North Ayrshire close to the Renfrew border and the Cunningham ancestor lands (generally North of the Irvine).
This is reinforced by information from David Caldwell naming farms in the Kyle Stewart area with Caldwell connections. They are south of the Irvine River (the northern boundary of Kyle Stewart). Exceptions are Annanhill and Springhill which are both close to Kilmarnock - in this case we have to remember that the Lords of Kilmarnock (the Boyd family) were supposed to have been descended from a brother of Walter FitzAllan.
Some early charters of land to Caldwell's in the Lochwinnoch area were from the Stewart family.
An early reference to a Caldwell in Kilmarnock said that he was a merchant in the service of a Montgomery - accordingly the initial statement appears to hold credence.
There is evidence of Caldwell's all over Ayrshire - including the country between Kilmarnock and the Renfrew border (Lanark, the Lothians, Aberdeen, etc). No doubt the family moved from its initial base from economic circumstance and other factors.
I would like to pursue the issue of the location of farms for the clues that this might offer.
Gailes
Bogside
Ploughland
Harperland
Galrigside
Fortacres
Inchgotrick
Todriggs
These farms run along a line on the southern side of the Irvine River from the sea to the outskirts of Kilmarnock, passing very close to the Stewart seat at Dundonald. It might just be a co-incidence that the Caldwell's have just happened to farmed that area however I wonder just how far back this goes. There are probably other farm-names associated as well and I seem to recollect Templeton and Earlston from somewhere.
From a Caldwell will associated with Annanhill (William Caldwell in Butterwall 1625) the name Butterwall (David Caldwell - son?) along with Whitecraigs is mentioned. There are a few "Whitecraigs" about and I cannot find a Butterwall although it is supposed to have been associated with the Largs area and the grant of the land of Kempisland to a Caldwell of Todriggs. Kempisland is supposed to have been on the upper Gogo Burn which appears to flow through a gorge to Largs itself - this are appears to be no longer farmed (and never much of a "catch" so the supposed location is probably incorrect)).
The apparent neighbours who signed the will are "in"
Fairlie (William Boile) (also William Blak - executor)
Haining (William Craufurd)
Ryside (John Con)
Dykes (John Ewing)
Whitecraig (Hew Wilson) (also Whitecraig Fairlie a Legacy to Hew Blak - son in law and Bessie Caldwell daughter)
Inglichous (Andro Kelso)
Kiroksyd (Gaven Aitken)
Horneit (Hew Smyt)
Fairlie is near Largs and the last three properties I cannot find. The remaining four are concentrated along the Rye Water running into the Garnock near Dalry. Therefore is is possible that the Whitecraig associated with the Caldwell's of Todriggs is that property near Dalry. Perhaps someone can help with the location of Butterwall - I expect it to be close to Largs or one of the other un-named properties (my map) on the Rye Water.
Many of the names are common names of farms and this makes finding a location difficult. Several of the names mentioned are found in a locality which might be a coincidence or may just be the correct pointer. The fact that Whitecraig is shown as Whitecraig Fairlie when it refers to the daughter and son-in-law tends to work against my theory.
I would welcome comment from anyone better versed in the details of that area.