Clan Grierson
| Grierson | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Crest:A fetterlock Argent | |||
| Motto | Hoc securior | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Lowlands | ||
| District | Dumfriesshire | ||
| Plant badge | Bluebell flowers, (campanula rotundifolia) being the proper plant badge of the name Grierson have long been symbolic of humility, constancy, gratitude and everlasting love. | ||
| Chief | |||
 | |||
| Sarah Grierson of Lag,[1] | |||
| Chief of the Name and Armsof Grierson.[2] | |||
| Historic seat | Lag Tower | ||
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Clan Griersonis aLowlandsScottish Clan.[3]
History
[edit]Origins of the Clan
[edit]
The personal name Gregor comes from theGreekforvigilant,through itsLatintranslation ofgregorious.[3]The name was popular amongst clergy in theMiddle Ages.[3]It is from this forename that the surname of Grierson is believed to be derived.[3]It has been conjectured that the Grierson family come from the same stock as theClan Gregor,although this theory has been refuted by modern historians and there is no evidence to support it.[3]
The surnameGriersonis a modern spelling of the medieval (circa 1408) surname Grerson.[4]
In about 1408 the Griersons acquired the lands of Lag, which became the principal seat of the clan chiefs.[3]Gilbert Grierson is described in a charter dating from 1420 asarmour bearerto theEarl of Douglas.[3]Gilbert married Janet, daughter of Sir Simon Glendinning, whose mother was Mary Douglas, daughter of the fourth Earl of Douglas and Princess Margaret.[3]These royal connections secured the early fortunes of the Griersons.[3]In 1460 Vedast Grierson built a strong tower at Lag.[3]
15th and 16th century conflicts
[edit]Vedast Grierson's son, Roger, obtained a royal charter confirming his lands in 1473.[3]However Roger was later killed at theBattle of Sauchieburnin 1488.[3]The Grierson Lairds of Lag also followedJames IV of Scotlandto theBattle of Floddenin 1513 where they met the same fate as the king.[3]
During the wars surroundingMary, Queen of Scotsthe Griersons declared forJames VI of Scotlandin the confrontation between the Queen and the Protestant lords.[3]
Chief William Grierson of Lag was allied to the powerfulClan Maxwelland joined forces with them against theClan Johnstoneat theBattle of Dryfe Sandsin 1593.[3]
17th and 18th centuries
[edit]William Grierson of Lag was knighted by James VI in 1608.[3]His son was Sir Robert Grierson who was succeeded by his cousin, anotherRobert Grierson.[3]This Robert Grierson became the first Baronet of Lag.[3]This Robert Grierson for a time made the name of Grierson synonymous with terror and death throughout the south and west ofScotland,with his persecution of theCovenantersduring the reign ofJames VII of Scotland.[3]He was created aBaronet of Nova Scotiain March 1685.[3]In that same year he surprised an illegal Covenanter service atKirkconneland in the ensuing struggle most of the worshipers were killed and Grierson of Lag refused to give them a decent burial which earned him his feared reputation.[3]Amongst the Covenanter martys was John Bell of Whiteside.[3]Bell's stepfather was theViscount Kenmurewho was withJohn Graham of Claverhousewhen they encountered Sir Robert Grierson and a quarrel broke out.[3]Kenmure drew his sword but Claverhouse dissuaded him from fighting aduel.[3]
Kenmore made an alliance with the DouglasDuke of Queensberryby marrying the Duke's sister, Lady Henrietta Douglas and not surprisingly the Griersons did not support theGlorious Revolution,considering William of Orange and his wife Mary to be usurpers.[3]In 1689 Sir Robert Grierson was arrested and held in prison until a substantial cash surety was paid.[3]He was later imprisoned on two more occasions, including for being accused of counterfeiting money but was cleared of all the allegations.[3]He died in 1736 but secured immortality inSir Walter Scott's novelRedgauntlet.[3]He was succeeded by his son,Sir William Grierson, 2nd Baronetwho died just four years later and was in turn succeeded by his brother, Sir Gilbert Grierson.[3]His son was William Grierson who was a close friend of Sir Walter Scott.[3]
19th and 20th centuries
[edit]William's eldest son was Thomas Grierson, a soldier who distinguished himself at theSiege of Delhiin 1857 but died of wounds received there.[3]Sir Alexander Grierson, 8th Baronet of Lag was commissioned into the78th Ross-shire Highlandersregiment.[3]
DuringWorld War I,Sir Robert Grierson, 10th Baronet of Lag served in theKing's Own Scottish Borderers,however by this time most of the Grierson lands had been lost, although the ruins of Lag Tower still stand today.[3]
George Abraham Griersonwas a distinguished linguist who devoted much of his life to the study of dialects from the Indian sub-continent.[3]John Griersonis widely regarded as the father of the British documentary film movement.[3]
Clan Chief
[edit]The currentChief of the Name and Armsof the Grierson family, is Sarah Grierson of Lag,[1]the first female to hold this role.
Thecrest badgeof the Griersons contains theLatinmotto:Hoc Securior[1]which may be translated as "Safer by This".
See also
[edit]- Grierson (name)
- Grierson Baronets, of Lag
- Sir Robert Grierson, 1st Baronet(Auld Lagg)
- Sir William Grierson, 2nd Baronet
- Brigadier GeneralBenjamin Grierson
- Dumfriesshire,Scotland
- Clan MacGregor
- Grierson's Raid
References
[edit]- ^abcStanding Council of Scottish Chiefs - Select "Grierson" from the drop down list and click viewArchived26 July 2011 at theWayback Machineclanchiefs.org. Retrieved 28 September 2013
- ^burkespeerage.com
- ^abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiWay, George and Squire, Romily.Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia.(Foreword by The Rt Hon. The Earl of Elgin KT, Convenor, TheStanding Council of Scottish Chiefs). Published in 1994. Pages 152 - 153.
- ^Bannatyne Club: Registrum Honoris de Morton, Vol. I, Original Papers, p. 204, no. 216
