Crawford Clan Crest
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CREST: A stag’s head erased Gules, between the attires a cross crosslet fitchée Sable MOTTO: Tutum te robore reddam TRANSLATION: I will give you safety by strength VARIATIONS: N/A |
| The Clan Crawford is a Scottish clan that is believed to have Norman origins, taking their name from the barony of Crawford in Lanarkshire, Scotland. The Crawfords played a significant role in Scottish history, with members of the family involved in battles and politics throughout the centuries. | |
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| The early names of the principal Crawford families are all Norman, although some scholars suggest an Anglo-Danish ancestry. According to tradition, Reginald, son of the powerful Earl of Richmond, was one of the Norman knights established by David I. Sir Gregan Crawford is also famous for saving King David I’s life from a stag in 1127, which led to the foundation of the Abbey of Holyrood.
One of the most famous members of the Crawford family is William Wallace of Elderslie, the Scottish patriot who fought against English domination. Margaret Crawford, sister of Sir Reginald Crawford, the sheriff of Ayr, married Wallace and was the mother of Sir William Wallace. The Crawford family had various branches, including the mainly recognized Auchinames family in Renfrewshire, who received a grant of their lands from Robert the Bruce in 1320. Sir William Crawfurd of Craufurdland was a knight and fought for the Scots forces in the service of King Charles VII of France. John of Craufurdland died in the Battle of Flodden, along with the Lairds of Auchinnames, who also perished at Pinkie in 1547. Sir Thomas Craufurd of Jordanhill fought at the Battle of Pinkie and later became a member of Lord Darnley’s household after marrying Mary, Queen of Scots. He also captured Dumbarton Castle from Queen Mary’s forces in 1570. The family’s fortunes fluctuated over time, with John Walkinshaw Craufurd, the twentieth Laird, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel and being present at the victory of Dettingen in 1743. He was also an intimate and faithful friend of the Jacobite Earl of Kilmarnock, accompanying him to the scaffold and attending to the solemnities of his funeral. However, he left his entire estates to Sir Thomas Coutts, the eminent banker, in his will, and the deed was contested by Elizabeth Craufurd, who won her case in the House of Lords in 1806. Sir Alexander Craufurd of Kilbirnie was created a baronet in 1781, and his son, Robert, commanded the Light Division in the Peninsular War and died in 1812 while leading his troops on an assault on the fortress of Ciudad Rodrigo. Hugh Crawfurd, twenty-first Laird of Auchinames, emigrated to Canada in the current century after selling the ancient family lands. The Crawford family’s history is intertwined with that of Scotland, with members playing significant roles in battles and politics throughout the centuries. The Clan Crawford remains a respected and prominent Scottish clan, with a proud heritage and history that is still celebrated today. |
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