Let me share with you the historical background of your family name, Crawford. Your family, believed to be of Norman origin, takes its name from the barony of Crawford in Lanarkshire. In 1296, Sir Reginald Crawford, a notable figure, was appointed sheriff of Ayr. Your family has a significant connection to Scottish history, as Sir Reginald’s sister, Margaret, married Wallace of Elderslie and was the mother of Sir William Wallace, the renowned Scottish patriot. Your ancestors, the Crawfords, stood by their cousin during his fight against English domination under Edward I.

The Crawfords had different branches, and the main ones were known as the ‘of Auchinames’ and ‘of Crawfurdland.’ Sir William Crawfurd of Crawfurdland, one of the valiant figures of his time, received knighthood from King James I. He fought alongside the Scottish forces in the service of Charles VII of France and was wounded during the siege of Creyult in Burgundy in 1425. In 1513, during the Battle of Flodden, Craufurdland met his demise, along with many other Scottish nobles.

The Castle of Craufurdland witnessed significant expansions in the seventeenth century, thanks to the efforts of the sixteenth Laird. Another notable member of your family, John Walkinshaw Craufurd, the twentieth Laird, distinguished himself as a soldier. Rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, he participated in the victory at Dettigen in 1743 and showed his bravery once more at the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. Despite his loyal service to the House of Hanover, he maintained a close friendship with the Jacobite Earl of Kilmarnock. When his friend faced the scaffold, John Walkinshaw Craufurd stood by his side and arranged for a proper burial. However, this act of friendship resulted in poor promotion prospects for him, as his name was placed at the bottom of the Army List.

In 1793, John Walkinshaw Craufurd passed away, leaving his entire fortune to Sir Thomas Coutts, a prominent banker, much to the disappointment of his family. However, Elizabeth Craufurd contested the will and eventually won her case in the House of Lords in 1806. This resulted in the ancient estates being rightfully restored to the rightful heir. From that point on, this branch of the family united the houses of Houison and Craufurd, and they continue to reside at Craufurdland, upholding the proud legacy of the Crawford name.