Clan Cranstoun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clan Cranstoun |
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Crest: A crane Proper dormant holding a stone in her claw
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| Motto | Thou shalt want ere I want |
| Profile | |
| Region | Lowlands |
| District | Midlothian |
| Chief | |
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| David Alexander Somerville Cranstoun of that Ilk and Corehouse | |
| Seat | Corehouse, Lanarkshire |
Clan Cranstoun is an old and important family from the Scottish Lowlands. They have a long history in Scotland.
Contents
History
Origins of the Clan Cranstoun
The name Cranstoun comes from a place called Cranstoun in Midlothian, Scotland. This area might have been named after the Anglo-Saxon word for "place of the crane." A crane is a bird that you can see on the Clan Cranstoun's shield and crest. Some people also think the name comes from the "home" of someone named Cran or Cren, which were old Saxon names.
The Cranstoun family has been around for a long time. Around 1170, a man named Elfrick de Cranstoun was mentioned in important papers. Later, during the time of Alexander II of Scotland, Thomas de Craystoun gave some land to a church. He did this for the good of his soul and his family.
In 1296, Hugh de Cranstoun promised his loyalty to Edward I of England. This was part of a big list called the Ragman Rolls. Later, in 1338, Randolphus de Cranstoun also gave a gift to a church. Then, David II of Scotland gave Thomas de Cranston official ownership of all the Cranston lands.
Important Times (16th & 17th Centuries)
The Clan Cranstoun grew strong until the late 1500s. At this time, Scotland was a bit wild politically. In 1592, Thomas and John Cranstoun, who were related to the clan chief, were accused of helping Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell. He had attacked Holyrood Palace.
In 1600, Sir John Cranstoun of that Ilk was accused of hiding people who were against the king. Luckily, the king stepped in and stopped the case against him. But in August 1600, Sir John's brother, Thomas Cranstoun, was executed in Perth. This was because he was involved in the Gowrie Conspiracy, a plan to take King James VI of Scotland.
However, things looked up for another Cranstoun. In 1609, Sir John Cranstoun of Morristoun, who was the captain of King James VI's guards, was given a special title: Lord Cranstoun. Around the same time, William Cranstoun, a strong Presbyterian minister, disagreed with the king's plan to bring bishops into the Scottish Church. The king's officials told him to stop preaching, but he refused. Because of this, he was officially declared outside the law.
The Civil War
During the Civil War in the 1600s, the third Lord Cranstoun was captured. This happened at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. He was held prisoner in the Tower of London. His family's lands were taken away, except for a small part that his wife and four children were allowed to keep.
Later Years (18th & 19th Centuries)
William Cranstoun, the fifth Lord Cranstoun, was part of the last Scottish Parliament. He supported the Treaty of Union, which joined Scotland and England.
One of his family members, George Cranstoun, became a very respected lawyer and judge. He was also a good friend of the famous writer Walter Scott. They had studied together at the University of Edinburgh.
James Cranstoun, 8th Lord Cranstoun, was a brave officer in the Royal Navy. He commanded a ship called HMS Bellerophon (1786). In June 1795, he was part of a battle where seven British ships defeated a whole French fleet. He died in 1796, and the special title of Lord Cranstoun ended in 1813.
Recent History (20th Century)
In 1950, Lieutenant Colonel Alastair Cranstoun of Corehouse was recognized as the chief of Clan Cranstoun. He passed away in 1990. The current chief is his nephew, as Alastair had no children. The Cranstoun family still mostly lives in Midlothian today.
Clan Chiefs
- Alastair Joseph Edgar Gordon-Cranstoun of that Ilk (born 1910, died 1990)
- David Alexander Somerville Cranstoun of that Ilk and Corehouse (born 1943)
- His son, Alexander John George Cranstoun of that Ilk and Corehouse, younger (born 1995), is expected to be the next chief.
Tartan
| Tartan image | Notes |
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This is the Cranstoun tartan. It was first shown in a book called Vestiarium Scoticum in 1842. |
See also
