Clan Crawford

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The Crawford tartan is derived from the Vestiarium Scoticum. Even though the Vestiarium is the source of many of todays tartans, today it is considered to be a Victorian era forgery and hoax.
The Crawford tartan is derived from the Vestiarium Scoticum. Even though the Vestiarium is the source of many of todays tartans, today it is considered to be a Victorian era forgery and hoax.

Clan Crawford is a lowland Scottish clan recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon which is the heraldic authority of Scotland. Clan Crawford is considered an armigerous clan because the clan once had a chief who possessed the undifferenced arms of CRAWFORD but currently there is no one who possesses this coat of arms. Because of this there the clan is without a chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms.

Clan Crawford may be of Norman origin, because the name Crawford or Crauford is derived from Crawford in Lanarkshire. However, it has also been asserted that the clan is of Anglo-Danish descent. Reginald, son of the Earl of Richmond, was traditionally thought to have been a Norman knight brought to Scotland by David I of Scotland. However, the name Crawford appears in Scotland in the mid 12th century with John de Crauford who witnessed a charter of Abbott Arnold to Theobald Flamaticus for Douglas Water. In 1127, Sir Gregan Crawford helped saved the life of the Earl of Richmond's son. Sir Gregan's descendant, John de Crawford (d. 1248), had two daughters - the youngest who married David Lindsay of Wauchopedale, the ancestor of the Earls of Crawford. A cadet from this line, Sir Archibald de Crawford, married James de Loudon's daughter and heir. He was succeeded by his son, Hugh Crawford of Loudon, Sheriff of Ayr.[1]

In 1196, during the reigin of William I of Scotland, Sir Reginald Crawford was appointed Sheriff of Ayr and from him descends the main branch of the Crawfords, named "of Auchinames." This branch of the clan received lands from Robert I of Scotland in 1320. From a younger son of the Sheriff descend the Crawfords of Craufurdland. This man's claim to the property was confirmed by Robert III of Scotland in 1391. The third branch of Clan Crawford are the Crawfords of Kilbirnie, who claim descent from Sir John of Crawford. The Crawfords of Kilbirnie aquried the Kilbirnie estates in 1499. In the 13th century, Sir John of Crawford's daughter married David Lindsay who was the ancestor of the chiefs of Clan Lindsay. Another important married of the Crawfords was that of Sir Reginald Crawford's sister and Sir Malcolm Wallace of Ellerslie. Another branch of Clan Crawford are the Craufords of Kilbirnie, who claim descent from Sir John Crauford of Craufordjohn, who lived around 1255. In 1781 a baronetcy was conferred to this branch of the clan.[1]

Clan Crawford is does not have a chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Because of this the clan is considered an armigerous clan, and is not recognised under Scots Law. The clan is not represented at the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Peter Houison Craufurd of Craufurdland petitioned the Lyon Court in October, 2007 for Chiefship of this name. The petition is currently docketed for review by the newly appointed Lord Lyon.[2] The modern crest badge of a member of Clan Crawford contains the crest: a stag's head erased Gules, between the attires a cross crosslet fitchée Sable.[3] Encircling the crest on the crest badge is a strap and buckle engraved with the motto: TUTUM TE ROBORE REDDAM (from Latin: "I will give you safety by strength").[1]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Clan Crawford. Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs (clanchiefs.org). Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
  2. ^ Clan Crawford. Clan Crawford Association (clancrawford.org). Retrieved on 2008-04-24.
  3. ^ Way, George; Squire, Romilly (2000). Clans & Tartans. Glasgow: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-00-472501 8. 

[edit] External links