He was the fourth son of Malcolm III (Máel Coluim mac Donnchada) and Margaret of Wessex (later Saint Margaret) but the first to be considered eligible for the throne after the death of his father.
Era o cuarto fillo de Malcolm III (Máel Coluim mac Donnchada) e Margarida de Wessex pero o primeiro en ser considerado elixible ó trono despois da morte do seu pai.