The Napiers are said to descend from the Lennox family and it's claimed that the name originated with a comment from King Alexander III (1241 - 1286) after a battle in which the great bravery of a young Lennox turned defeat into victory: "You have all done valiantly, but there is one amongst you who has nae peer." (no equal). And he commanded young Donald Lennox to change his name forthwith