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Clan Craig (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Craig

Clan Crest: A chevalier on horseback in full charge grasping a broken lance in bend, Proper

Clan Motto: Vive Deco et Vives (Live for God and You Shall Have Life)

Region: Lowlands

Historic Seat: Riccarton

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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Craig Clan History

Although the surname Craig is easily associated with the Gaelic word for a cliff or outcrop of rock (for example, Ailsa Craig or Craigellachie), its origin appears to date back to the Picts, a native race from North East Scotland about whom little is known. According to legend, when the Scots began to expand into this area, the Picts were allowed to stay on the condition that all future Kings marry Irish princesses.

This surname first appears in Ayrshire and Lanarkshire around the 12th century, and it appears on the Ragman Roll in 1296. Despite this, the clan's strongest lineage originates in Aberdeenshire, at Craigfintray Castle in Kildrumie, and has long been associated with the Gordon Clan.

The memorial to the Battle of Culblean is shown above. John Craig led 300 of his clansmen into the battle between David II's forces and Edward Balliol's forces. It was a decisive victory for the King's supporters. Culblean Battlefield Memorial. John Craig led 300 of his clansmen into the battle between David II's (pictured top) and Edward Balliol's forces. It was a decisive victory for the King's supporters.

On November 30, 1335, John Craig led his clan in the battle of Culbean.

Around 1440, another branch of the clan formed near Berwick and was granted Estircrag.

Richarde de Crag was the vicar of St Mary's in Dundee in the 1550s, and John Craig was imprisoned for his Protestantism during the Reformation. Fortunately, he was able to flee and join forces with John Knox.

Sir Thomas Craig of Riccarton was a well-known Scottish Feudal Law expert. James VI admired him greatly, and his work 'Jus Feudale' is still referred to in Scottish law. In 1610, his son Sir James Craig became one of the Scottish undertakers of the Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland). James Craig, of County Down, was the son of a whiskey millionaire. During the 1920s, he was an organizer for the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), an anti-Home Rule organization. He became Northern Ireland's first Prime Minister in 1921. He was later created Viscount Craigavon.

James Craig won the design competition for Edinburgh's New Town (the area north of Princes Street), and his grand Georgian street layout is still in place today.

McGregor-Hastie designed the more commonly used Craig tartan around 1957, and the colors are earthy tones meant to represent the Rocks from which the surname derives.

The Craig crest, depicting a chevalier on horseback holding a broken lance, represents the 'broken men' from other clans who were granted the clan's protection.

Craig Places & People

This section is currently being researched.

Craig Clan Tartans

The Craig tartan, designed by John MacGregor Hastie and registered in 1957, was described as follows:

"I created this tartan to fulfill a long-held desire." Many people have asked if there is a Craig family tartan, and since the name is unrelated to any Highland clan, but the family name is numerous, it seemed like a good idea to create one. The color scheme is inspired by the general color of craigs and rocks."

Threadcount Y/4 K8 G8 K8 N8 K4 N8 K4 N8 K4 N8 Y8 K4 G56 K4 N68 LG4 G4 N8 K8 Y/4

Craig the Elder

Craig Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Craig Coat of Arms

Worn by everyone with the same name and ancestry

Description of the Crest:

A chevalier in full charge on horseback, grasping a broken lance in bend, Proper

Coats of Arms of Clan Craig

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.

Riccarton's CRAIG

Sable, three crescents, Ermine, on a fesse

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Coat of Arms for Castle Craig

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David Craig, M.D.

Per Fess Ermine and Argent on a fess Sable between two millrinds in chief and three crescents of the Second in base.

A tower serves as the crest. Window and port sable Gules within a chaplet of vert hazel leaves.

VIVITUR INGENIO is the motto.

Grant: The Lord Lyon's Court, 10th August 1982, Register, volume 66, folio 24.

The arms were granted in honor and memory of the armiger's grandfather, David Craig, a farmer from Tregallon, Troqueer, and Kircudbright. William Craig, his father, was a miller at Duncow Mill and a farmer in West Duncow, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries.

Craig's basic arms are 'a metal field with a fess Sable and three crescents of metal thereon'. The armiger's millrinds and garb reflect his great-grandfather's milling and farming interests. The armiger chose the tincture for the charges.

Lord Lyon suggested the crest. 'Duncow' is derived from 'Dun-choll' (a haze fort).

The motto, VIVITUR INGENIO (he lives by skill), was chosen to reflect the occupations of both the armiger and his forefathers.

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