Clan Cranstoun
Clan Cranstoun (Cranstoun Tartan)
Crest: A crane, Proper, dormant holding a stone in her claw
Motto: Thou Shalt Want Ere I Want
Origin of Name: Placename, Midlothian
Region: Lowlands
Historic Seat: Corehouse, Lanarkshire
Clan Chief: David Cranstoun of That Ilk
1. Cranstoun Clan History
The origins of the Cranstoun name trace back to Midlothian, possibly deriving from the Anglo-Saxon term meaning ‘Place of the Crane’. Families settling in this area adopted the name, owning lands around Edinburgh and Roxburghshire.
The earliest recorded mention of the name dates back to Elfric de Cranston, a witness to a charter by William the Lion in the Abbey of Holyrood around 1170.
During Alexander II's reign, Thomas de Craystoun donated land in East Lothian to the church, while Hugh de Cranstoun signed the Ragman Roll in 1296.
The Cranstouns enjoyed prosperity until the late 16th Century, when their fortunes took a downturn. Thomas and John Cranston faced accusations of collusion with the Earl of Bothwell, who attacked Holyrood Palace.
Accused of treason, Sir John Cranston faced legal repercussions for sheltering his family members. Eventually, his brother Thomas met his end in 1660 for involvement in the infamous Gowrie Conspiracy.
Despite their troubled past, the Cranstouns saw an upturn in their relationship with the monarchy as the 17th Century progressed.
In 1609, Sir John Cranstoun of Morristoun was honored with the title of ‘Lord Cranstoun’ for his service as captain of the guard to James VI.
However, tensions with ecclesiastical authorities persisted. In Kettle, Fife, Reverend William Cranstoun staunchly upheld Presbyterian views, conflicting with the King’s reforms.
During a sermon, an attempt was made to forcibly replace him, leading to his outlawing. Eventually, in 1620, the Archbishop of St Andrews stripped him of his charge.
In the tumultuous times of the English Civil War, the Third Lord Cranston took arms for the Royalists and found himself captured at the Battle of Worcester. His fate led him to the Tower of London under the protectorate, resulting in the forfeiture of much of his lands.
Legend has it that a shadow lurks within the family's history; the son of the fifth Lord clandestinely wed a Roman Catholic. Denying the marriage later, he faced evidence to the contrary from his wife.
Fleeing to England, he found solace in the arms of a wealthy heiress. Yet, their romance took a sinister turn when the heiress's father succumbed to poisoning, leading to her execution for his murder.
George Cranstoun, a descendant of the fifth Lord Cranston, shared a close bond with Sir Walter Scott, having been companions at Edinburgh University. While Scott pursued literature, George excelled in law, eventually ascending to the position of Dean of the Faculty of Advocates in 1823.
The Cranstons also left their mark in military endeavors. James, the eighth Lord Cranstoun, captained the Bellerophon in a valiant clash against a formidable French fleet in 1795.
Despite his appointment as Governor of Grenada, his life was cut short by lead poisoning before he could assume his post. Lieutenant Colonel Alastair Cranstoun of that Ilk, awarded the Military Cross, was recognized as chief in 1950. Upon his demise in 1990, the mantle passed to the present chief.
The ancestral home of the family remains at Corehouse in Lanarkshire.
2. Cranstoun Clan Tartans
The Cranston tartan, as depicted in the Vestiarium Scoticum, showcases a unique blend of two shades of green. Described as resembling the hue of a tender ash tree leaf and the vivid green of grass, this tartan stands out for its vibrant and earthy tones.
Threadcount R/4 G24 B12 DG6 B2 DG2 B2 DG/28
Cranstoun Tartan
3. Clan Cranstoun Crest & Coats of Arms
3.1 Clan Cranstoun Crest
Worn by all of the name and ancestry
Crest Description:
A crane, Proper, dormant holding a stone in her claw
3.2 Clan Cranstoun Coats of Arms
A note on Coats of Arms:
According to Scottish heraldic law, a coat of arms is granted to an individual, except for civic or corporate entities. There isn't a concept of a "family coat of arms." The arms displayed below are personal and unique to the individual granted them, except for those exceptions mentioned above.
CRANSTOUN, Lord Cranstoun
Gules, three cranes, Argent
--------------------------------------------------
William IV Sterling Silver Salver Tray Scottish Coat Of Arms Lord Cranstoun 1831
--------------------------------------------------
Detail of Lord Cranstoun’s Arms
4. Clan Cranstoun Places & People
4.1 Clan Cranstoun People
Catherine Cranston (1849 – 1934)
Kate Cranston, also known as Miss Cranston, played a significant role in shaping the tea room culture in Scotland.
Today, she is primarily remembered for her support of renowned artists like Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret MacDonald in Glasgow. The legacy of Miss Cranston’s Tea Rooms continues to evoke memories of Glasgow's vibrant past.
Born in 1849 to George Cranston, a baker and pastry maker, Kate grew up immersed in the culinary world. Her father took charge of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway Chop House and Commercial Lodgings at No. 39 George Square in Glasgow city center in 1849.
Over time, the establishment underwent several transformations, eventually becoming Cranston’s Hotel and Dining Rooms by May 1852. The hotel boasted various amenities, including coffee rooms, smoking rooms, bedchambers, and baths, catering to the diverse needs of its patrons.
Kate's older brother, Stuart (1848-1921), delved into the tea trade and was hailed as a trailblazer in Glasgow's tea scene.
By 1901, he had established three tea shops, described as "tea shops pure and simple," specializing in sandwiches. In contrast, Kate's vision extended beyond mere refreshment.
During the late 19th century, Glasgow, like other cities in the UK, embraced the temperance movement, advocating for alternatives to traditional male-dominated pubs.
While tea had previously been considered a luxury, it gained popularity as a temperance beverage from the 1830s onward.
This shift led to the emergence of numerous cafés and coffee houses, catering to a wider audience. However, it wasn't until the 1880s that tea rooms and tea shops gained widespread popularity and became fashionable social hubs.
5. Associated Names
CRANSTO(U)N
GRANSTON