Masterton

Clan Crest: A stag courant bearing on the attires an oaken slip fructed, all Proper

Clan Motto: Per Ardua (Through adversity)

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

Masterton Clan History

The lands of Ledmacdunegil (Ledmacduuegil or Lethmachduuegil) near Dunfermline, Fife, had been granted by King Malcolm IV (1153 - 1165). These lands were later known as Masterton and belonged to the Magister Ailricus, cementarius (Magister means Master). The eldest sons of barons were usually given the title "maister" in Scotland. The land took his name, and those who were tenants on this land took the name as well, and thus the surname began.

The family name Masterton was first recorded in 1296, when William de Mastertone, or de Meystertone, of Fife rendered homage for his possessions. On his seal, a lion rampant with a rose in front and his name S' Will'i de Maisterton appear. William de Mastertone's descendants held Masterton until the sixteenth century.

Before the Reformation, the Masterton family was well-known in the Dunfermline area. In 1316, a Duncan de Maysterton witnessed Duncan, Earl of Fife's homage to the abbot of Dunfermline.

In 1357, a rector named Symon de Maysterton was a witness, and Sir Thomas Masterton was a canon regular of Cambuskenneth in 1476.

Alexander Masterton of Beath (born 1604), most likely a descendant of Masterton of that Ilk, had a feu-charter of part of Grange soon after the Reformation. Alexander married Catherine Brown, and they had 11 children together. They were all from Dunfermline, Fife. They were the Grange Mastertons. Adam Masterton of the Grange registered a Coat of Arms 'argent, a chevron between two crescents in chief and a mullet in base gules, on a chief azure an eagle displayed or'.

In 1476, Sir Thomas Masterton was a Canon of Cambuskenneth, and the Mastertons were a prominent family in the Dunfermline area prior to the Reformation.

Adam Masterton of Parkmill, who owned land in Parkmill, Clackmannan around 1547, registered arms in 1672: 'argent, a chevron gules, and a chief azure'. Adam had three children, the eldest of whom was Ranald Masterton of Bad. Ronald becomes the father of Bad's Robert Masterton.

In 1588, Robert Masterton of Bad uses an eagle impaling a chevron with a crescent in chief or on a chief as his seal.

Overlooking the Forth from Masterton.

Interestingly, there is a Masterton in New Zealand, 100 kilometers north-east of Wellington. The Small Farms Association founded Masterton in 1854. Joseph Masters, after whom the town was named, led the association. So no relation to the Mastertons of Fife.

Masterton Places & People

Soon to come

Masterton Tartans

There is no registered tartan for this name; however, the following are the most appropriate:

Buchanan Historic

Buchanan Contemporary

Modern Buchanan Hunting

Buchanan Old Settlement

Weathered Buchanan Old Sett

MacInnes the Elder

Modern MacInness

Ancient Innes

Innes Contemporary

Masterton Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Masterton Crest

Crest Description: A stag courant dressed in an oaken slip fructed, all Proper

Coats of Arms for Masterton:

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.