Cranstoun (Cranston)
Cranstoun (Cranston) Tartan Collection
Honour an old Border clan with the Cranstoun collection — the family of the crane and the stone, of Midlothian and Corehouse, Lords Cranstoun and Captains of the Guard, under the watchful motto Thou Shalt Want Ere I Want.
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About the Cranstoun Tartan
Clan Cranstoun is a Lowland Border clan whose name comes from the lands and barony of Cranstoun in Midlothian, from the Anglo-Saxon for "place of the crane" — a bird that features on both the shield and crest of the clan. A clan with its own chief, David Cranstoun of that Ilk and Corehouse, the Cranstouns have their own distinctive tartan, drawn from the Vestiarium Scoticum.
Whether you bear the Cranstoun or Cranston name, descend from Midlothian or the Borders, or simply admire an old riding family of the Lowlands, this collection brings the Cranstoun tartan into wearable apparel, everyday accessories, home decor and meaningful heritage gifts.
Cranstoun Tartan Pattern & Colours
The Cranstoun tartan is a distinctive sett built on two shades of green — described in the old sources as "that of a tender ash tree leaf, and the other the colour of grass" — crossed with blue and lifted by a fine line of red. Its rich, leafy greens set it apart, fitting for a family named for the crane in its marshy haunts.
Who Is This Collection For?
The Cranstoun collection is a meaningful choice for the Cranstoun and Cranston family, descendants of Midlothian and the Borders, those with Corehouse or Lothian roots, and anyone drawn to an old Border clan with a living chief.
- Cranstoun & Cranston family
- Midlothian & Border roots
- Corehouse & Lothian ties
- Clan gatherings
- Birthday & Christmas gifts
- Everyday tartan style
Cranstoun Clan Heritage
Elfric de Cranstoun witnessed a charter by William the Lion to Holyrood Abbey around 1170, and Hugh de Cranstoun set his name to the Ragman Roll in 1296. The clan supported Robert the Bruce, and Thomas de Cranston rose to be Provost of Edinburgh in 1423. The family's fortunes wavered in the late 16th century, when kinsmen were caught up in the intrigues of the Earl of Bothwell and the Gowrie Conspiracy, but recovered handsomely thereafter.
In 1609 Sir John Cranstoun of Morristoun, Captain of the Guard to James VI, was raised to the peerage as Lord Cranstoun. The third Lord fought for the Royalists and was captured at the Battle of Worcester in 1651; the eighth Lord commanded HMS Bellerophon against the French in 1795. The chiefship, restored in 1950, rests today with David Cranstoun of that Ilk at Corehouse on the Falls of Clyde. The crest is a sleeping crane holding a stone, the motto Thou Shalt Want Ere I Want.
Cranstoun Tartan FAQ
Quick answers about the Cranstoun tartan, who can wear it, and why Cranstoun products make meaningful Scottish heritage gifts.
What is the Cranstoun tartan?
It is the clan tartan of Clan Cranstoun, a distinctive sett of two shades of green with blue and red, drawn from the Vestiarium Scoticum.
Who can wear the Cranstoun tartan?
Anyone can wear it. It is especially meaningful for those of the Cranstoun or Cranston name and for anyone with Midlothian or Border ancestry.
Where does the Cranstoun name come from?
From the barony of Cranstoun in Midlothian, from the Anglo-Saxon for "place of the crane" — the bird that appears on the clan crest.
Why is there a crane on the crest?
The crane is a play on the name Cranstoun. The crest shows a sleeping crane holding a stone — a symbol of vigilance, for if it slept it would drop the stone and wake.
Does Clan Cranstoun have a chief?
Yes. The chief is David Cranstoun of that Ilk and Corehouse, whose family seat is at Corehouse in Lanarkshire.
Is Cranstoun tartan a good gift?
Yes. Cranstoun products make thoughtful gifts for family members, clan gatherings, birthdays, Christmas and Scottish heritage celebrations.
Celebrate Your Cranstoun Heritage in Style
Discover Cranstoun tartan apparel, accessories and meaningful Scottish-inspired gifts that honour Midlothian, the crane and the stone and the motto Thou Shalt Want Ere I Want.
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