The Cranston story seems to fit with our motto but does not explain "Hutton Cranswick" which dates back to the Doomsday book? Also, How do we confirm the heritage of our crest? (The one on Lachlan's website was one that our father, Rodney. had made into a printing block). Can anyone confirm it from an official source? Any thoughts? Noel Cranstoun Clan (Scottish) See: http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/cransto.html http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/cransto2.html Motto: Thou shalt want ere I want Crest: http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/atoc/crests/cranstou.gif History: The Cranstons take their name from the Barony of Cranston in Midlothian and the family owned lands in the counties of Edinburgh and Roxburgh. The first of the family was Elfric de Cranston who is one of the witnesses to a charter by William the Lion in Holyrood c1170. The direct line ended in an heiress, Sarah Cranston a descendant of William de Cranston of Crailing who married William Cranston, son of John Cranston of Morriestoun. He was created Lord Cranston in 1609. One story goes that the fifth son of the fifth Lord caused disapproval by marrying a Roman Catholic. The marriage was kept a secret and later repudiated by the the husband, but the lady gained a declaration of the marriage. In the event the husband went to England where a heiress fell in love with him. However her father disapproved so Cranston offered the lady a "love potion" to administer to him - the outcome was that the father died of the poison and the heiress was hanged for murder. Despite record of Wiliam de Cr anston being one of the conservators of the truce between Scotland and England in 1451, the Cranstons have been reputed to live up to their family motto "thou shalt want before I want" being a notorious clan not adverse to joining the Border clans for a raid into England. The title of Lord Cranston became dormant following the death of the 11th Lord Cranston. Other Cranston branches include the Cranstons of Corsbie, Berwickshire; Thirlestane Mains, and Dodds. CRANSTON/CRANSTOUN: The surname of this ancient family is believed derived from the old Barony and present Parish the same name in Midlothian. An Elfric de Cranston appears on a charter in 1170, and a Hugh de Cranston was one of the Scottish Barons who swore fealty to King Edward I of England in 1296. Thomas de Cranston was sent as ambassador to the Court of Eric, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden in 1426 and later played an important role in negotiations with England. He was also appointed a Warden of the Marches in 1459. Sometime in the 16th century the senior family adopted the form 'Cranstoun' and such has remained a favoured spelling. William Cranstoun of Morristoun, a former captain of King James VI's Guards, was raised to the peerage in 1609 and following marriage to Sarah Cranstoun of that Ilk the two main families were reunited. In the 17th century a branch of the family became settled in Rhode Island (U.S.A.) and gave two distinguished governors; John Cranstoun and his son Samuel. George Cranstoun, Lord Corehouse, a grandson of the 5th Lord Cranstoun, became an eminent judge and classical scholar, and was a noted friend of Sir Walter Scott. Noel E Cranswick ,--_|\ [email protected] Ph: +61-3-9455 1345 / Oz \ 0NZ In real life: Noel E Cranswick \_,--\M/ 0 Melbourne PC User Group, Australia. v http://members.tripod.com/~noelc/ __o _`\<, ...(*)/(*) Remember to ask your mother if you want good, sensible advice, because you won't get it from me...