The Burnetts of Monboddo descend from James Burnett of Craigmyle through his third son, also named James.  He married twice, his second wife being Elizabeth Irvine of Monboddo, whose estates he purchased from her brothers. His son, Alexander Burnett of Monboddo, married his cousin Margaret Burnett, daughter of Sir Alexander Burnett of Leys, 2nd Baronet.

Alexander of Monboddo's grandson, James Burnett of Monboddo, was the famous Lord Monboddo.  He and his wife Elizabeth Farquarson had 2 daughters, the elder of whom, Helen, married Kirkpatrick Williamson, who then assumed the name and title of William Burnett of Monboddo.

Helen and Kirkpatrick's great-grandson, James Shank Burnett-Burnett of Monboddo succeeded in 1905 and was killed by an elephant in India in 1910.  At his death he was succeeded by his older son James Malcolm Burnett of Monboddo, who married Gladys Ingram in 1942.