Craig
Craig
Craig – Clan History, Crest & Heritage
Gaelic Name
Craig
Clan Motto
"J’ai bonne espérance" – “I have good hope” – a forward-looking expression of optimism, resilience, and perseverance.
Clan Crest Badge
A chevalier on horseback in full charge, grasping a broken lance in bend Proper – symbolizing valor, tenacity, and readiness to ride against adversity.
Plant Badge
None recorded
Origins of the Name
The surname Craig, including its variants Craik and Cragie, derives from the Scots Gaelic word creag, meaning “a steep or rocky cliff.” It originally served as a topographical surname, identifying people who lived near or upon crags and cliffs, making it widespread throughout Scotland and difficult to trace to a single point of origin.
By the 15th century, multiple families bearing the name Craig had become established throughout Scotland, each with distinct local lineages.
Notable Branches and Lineages
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One notable family descended from Johannes de Craig, Burgess of Aberdeen, whose family acquired Craigston Castle in Aberdeenshire in c.1350.
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In the 16th century, Reche Crag, a Dundee baker, was accused of selling unleavened bread and later imprisoned for adopting Protestant reformist views, indicating the family's involvement in early Reformation-era dissent.
However, the most prominent branch of the name emerged from Riccarton, near Edinburgh. The Craigs of Riccarton rose to notable legal and political prominence in early modern Scotland.
Legal and Political Distinction
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Sir Thomas Craig of Riccarton, a distinguished jurist, authored the foundational legal text Jus Feudale, and served as a royal legal advisor, receiving appointments in both the Scottish court and during coronation events in London.
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Sir James Gibson-Craig, his descendant, was a key Whig politician, a Lord of the Treasury, and later Baronet of Riccarton.
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Sir James’s son, Sir William Gibson-Craig, held office as Lord Clerk Register of Scotland, Privy Councillor, and later as Governor of the Bank of Scotland.
Ulster and Colonial Connections
The Craig name also appears in Ulster, where many migrated during the Plantation of Ireland. The most notable descendant was James Craig, 1st Viscount Craigavon, who served as Prime Minister of Northern Ireland from 1921 to 1940. The new town of Craigavon in County Armagh was named in his honor.
Tartan and Identity
The Craig tartan, while not ancient, is proudly worn by those of Craig descent today. Often featuring strong Highland color schemes, the tartan reflects the family’s enduring legacy and connection to both Lowland governance and Highland heritage.
Conclusion
Clan Craig may not function as a traditional Highland clan with a chief or central territory, but it boasts a proud and widespread legacy rooted in Scottish law, politics, and Protestant reform. From early castle-building barons to influential modern statesmen, the Craigs have remained figures of intellect, independence, and hope—as captured in their motto: "J’ai bonne espérance" – “I have good hope.”