Clan Johnstone/Clan Johnston
Clan Johnstone or Clan Johnston is considered a border reiver Scottish clan. The Border reivers were raider groups that existed along the English Scottish borders from the 13th to the 17th century. The surname is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin and translates into John’s settlement. The first record of the name comes from the late 12th century when Gilbert Johnstone was granted a small portion of land in Annandale. In 1296 Sir John Johnstone, a knight located in the county of Dumfries, is found on the Ragman Rolls swearing his allegiance to Edward I of England.
The motto of the clan is Nunquam Non Paratus, which means, Never Not Ready and the clans crest features a winged spur rowel.
The historic seat of the clan is Lockwood Castle near Moffat in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The Johnsone’s aquired the property in the 14th century and held the Castle until the English captured it during the Rough Wooing in 1547. The Castle was reacquired by the clan in 1550 but in 1585 was burnt during a dispute with the Maxwell Clan. The castle was abandoned in the early 18th century and only ruins remain. The current seat of the clan is Raehills House located near Lockerbie, the property was purchased by the Johnstone’s in 1780.
Upon the death of the Clan Chief, George Johnstone in 1747 the chiefdom-ship of clan Johnstone fell dormant. It wasn’t until 1971 that the chiefdom of the clan was restored by the Lord Lyon King of Arms by recognizing Major Percy Johnstone as the rightful chief.
The Clan Johnstone Society was organized in 1976 at the Stone Mountian Highland Games in Atlanta, Georgia. The society is open to anyone with roots in the clan and is involved in many Scottish festivals and games through out North America.
