Sir Thomas Brisbane was born at Brisbane House, Largs, on the 23d July 1773. He was descended from the Brisbanes of Bishopton, one of whom, according to Hailes, “held the office of Chancellor of the kingdom of Scotland in 1332.” They possessed a large tract of country, extending from Erskine Ferry to Largs; and had this estate been still in their possession (consisting, as it did then, of Bishopton, Greenock, Ardgowan, Skelmorlie, Largs, and Brisbane), its revenues would have been princely; but Sir Thomas only inherited the smaller portion of the possessions of his ancestors, Largs and Brisbane.