Stewarton formed part of the extensive district over which the De Morville family held sway at the commencement of the recorded annals of Scotland. In 1283 the lands of Stewarton were erected into a separate lordship and became the inheritance of James, High Steward of Scotland. When the House of Stewart Came to the throne in the person of Robert II Stewarton became the property of the King as Steward of Scotland. In the reign of Robert 111, John Stewart, Earl of Buchan and Elizabeth de Douglas, his spouse had a charter of the lands from Archibald, Earl of Douglas as pert of the Endowment of his daughter Elizabeth. On the death of the earl of Buchan without heirs male, they reverted to the Douglases.   James I, as Steward of Scotland granted a charter of lands of Stewarton to James Douglas of Balveny
(afterwards 6th Earl of Douglas and Beatrice his wife and the heirs of James confirmed at Edinburgh 12th January 1426-1427 Reg Magnum Sigillum 11. No 77.)

1451.

James II, confirmed to William 7th Earl of Douglas the lands of Stewarton held off the King as Steward of Scotland, Edinburgh 26th April. Ibid No 504.

1452.

The lands reverted to the crown on forfeiture of Douglas.

1467.

James III granted lands of Stewarton to Thomas Boyd, Earl of Arran, and the Lady Mary Sister of the King. Edinburgh 26th April 1467.   Ibid No 912. (On the forfeiture of Arran the lands reverted to the Crown.)

1545.

Nigel or Neil Montgomery of Langshaw second son of the 1st Earl of Eglintoun received a crown charter of the lands of Stewarton, (Uretoun) in which family the lands of Lainshaw remained for over 210 years.

In 1417 the name of John de Arnot of Lochrig (Lochridge) appears as one of a jury in a cause between the Burgh of Irvine and William Fraunces of Stane.

1602.

A crown charter was given to Andrew Arnot of Lochrig. -Willielmi Cunninghame, Magistri de Glencairne 4th Earl of Glencairn had a royal charter of the lands  of Blacklaw, Hairshaw and Corsehill on 4th May 1538. His second son Andrew was the first of the House of Corsehill.   All these families thus obtained charters from the crown.

1672.

Sir Alexander Cunninghame of Corsehill on 12th January 1672 obtained a charter from the crown and on 26th February 1672 the dignity of a baronet was conferred on him and his heirs male. Prior to the latter part of the 17th century the town of Stewarton consisted only of a cluster of houses round the church, the inhabitants occupying themselves in the making of bonnets.

1630.

In the year 1630 we find the bonnet makers of Stewarton a small but powerful corporation. Sir Alexander Cunninghame of
Corsehill is entitled in the Record the "Deacon Heritable" and it held meetings either in Stewarton or the neighbourhood as the Bonnet Court of Corsehill,   The first Minute book still extant dates from 1666 - Dec. 1773.   The second begins 1st January 1774 and the last Minute is dated 3rd February 1790.   Glasgow was the principal market and by a document dated 24th April 1650 signed by Alexander Cunninghame of Corsehill and Garvan Nasmyth Deacon  of the Bonnet Makers of Glasgow it was permitted for all time coming for the members of the Bonnet Court of Corsehill to sell their wares in the "Marcats of Glasgow".

1954.

Bonnet making is still carried on by three firms although now the principal industry is the manufacture of hosiery for outer wear. 17 firms in all take part in this trade employing over 800 operatives.

Stewarton is situated in the Cunninghame District of Ayrshire and forms part of the extensive district over which the De Morville family held sway at the commencement of the recorded annals of Scotland.   In 1283 the lands of Stewarton were erected into a separate lordship and became the inheritance of James, High Steward of Scotland.   When the House of Stewart came to the throne in the person of Robert II Stewarton became the property of the King
as Steward of Scotland.

From then until 1672 various families in the town obtained Charters from the Crown.

Prior to the latter part of the 17th century the town of Stewarton consisted only of a cluster of houses round the church, the inhabitants occupying themselves in the making of bonnets.

While the history of the town can be traced back to the time of the De Morville period it was not until 1868 that Stewarton became a Police Burgh and took over its own administration of local affairs. From the records the citizens who held the important Office of Provost of the Burgh over the last hundred years are:

While Stewarton became a Police Burgh in 1868 they had no official Coat of Arms and it was not until 1955 that the Burgh obtained this. The motto in the Coat of Arms is "Knit Weel".   Included in the Coat of Arms are part of the baronial arms of the Earl of Douglas, Earl of Arran, the Cunninghames of Corsehill and the Montgomeries of Lainshaw because of their early association with the Burgh as well as the bonnets which represent the Town and Trade.

In 1957 the Citizens of Stewarton presented to the Burgh a Chain '' of Office for use by the Provost. The presentation was made by Rev Andrew R Hastie and was accepted on behalf of the Town Council by Provost Thomas W Mackie.

During the last hundred years the Town has expanded and the Burgh boundaries had to be extended in 1869, 1904 and lastly in 1950. The present area of the Burgh is 572 acres.

The main field of expansion has been in housing but other improvements have been carried out notably in Street Lighting, Water and Public Health.   Prior to the 1930's street lighting was by gas lamps but this was superseded by electricity.   While the Town Council are now only responsible for part of the street lighting services, they can be proud of the improvements which they have carried out in this sphere.   In 1902, the Council, looking to the future and in forseeing the development and growth of the Burgh, both industrially and domestically, felt that an adequate water supply was necessary
and proceeded to acquire the necessary land and formed thereon the "White Loch" which has given an adequate supply to the Burgh and still maintains its high yield. Under the recent legislation, this service has now been handed over to the Ayrshire and Bute Water Board.

Various improvements in Social hygiene have been carried out during the last hundred years and while a modern sewage work was provided in the early 1900's this has now become outdated in view of the growing population and a new sewage scheme will be embarked on during this Centenary Year.

There are one or two Children's Play Areas provided in the Burgh but the main recreational ground at Standalane was provided in 1930. Other recreational grounds are under consideration and a gift has recently been made to the citizens of the Burgh of the land known as "Corsehillbanks". This latter ground is to be known as the Cunninghame-Watt Park and has been gifted by Miss Cunninghame-Watt. The park is to be laid out as a Children's Playground in accordance with the Deed of Gift.

The Cunninghame Institute which is the Town Hall was gifted to the Burgh by Mrs Helen Ethel McDouall or Cunninghame of Duchrae on 12th February 1928. Since that date the premises have been completely renovated and brought up to date making them the most suitable for the needs of the community.