1200 -1400 - Craufurd of Craufurdland

  1. John, the 3rd son of Sir Reginald de Crawford the first Sheriff of Ayr is the ancestor of the Clan branch at Craufurdland in Ayrshire. Married to Alicia de Dallsalloch. Through this marriage large tracks of lands in Clydesdale were possessed by the family, much of which though passed to the Cumins on marriage of his daughter. The lands of Ardoch were given to John Craufurd, the second son of John and Alicia, in contentation of his rights to the whole as heir.
  2. John Craufurd of Craufurdland, first laird of Craufurdland (formerly known as Ardoch) was the second son of the above John Craufurd. He lived in the reign of Alexander II (1214-1249), and was succeeded by his eldest son.
  3. John Craufurd of Craufurdland the second laird lived in the reign of Alexander III (1249-1285), and was succeeded by his eldest son.
  4. James Craufurd of Craufurdland was a follower of Sir William Wallace, his cousin. James’s Aunt by his father’s side, Margaret, married Sir Malcolm Wallace of Ellerslie in Ayrshire 1 mile west of Kilmarnock (not to be confused with Elderslie in Renfrewshire) and became the mother of Sir William Wallace, the immortal hero of Scotland.
    James Craufurd of Craufurdland was a follower of Sir William Wallace, his cousin. James’s Aunt by his father’s side, Margaret, married Sir Malcolm Wallace of Ellerslie in Ayrshire 1 mile west of Kilmarnock (not to be confused with Elderslie in Renfrewshire) and became the mother of Sir William Wallace, the immortal hero of Scotland. With the power and influence of the High Office of the Sheriff of Ayr within their family, Margaret Crawford’s father and brothers risking life and property provided protection for William Wallace after his initial fateful clash with the English. During this time Wallace’s Crawford uncles were influential in training him in the arts of diplomacy, war, and languages as well as nurturing Wallace’s tremendous desire to re-establish an independent Scotland. Family records related that the third Laird helped his cousin, Sir William Wallace, become Arden of Scotland in 1297. Wallace’s younger brother John and uncle Sir Reginald Crawford, both of whom were prominent in the service of both Wallace and Robert the Bruce, were executed at Carlisle in 1307 for their loyalty to Wallace. Wallace had been executed earlier in August 1305 in London. The castle of the Boyd’s, Dean Castle, was located in Kilmarnock, some 2 miles from Craufurdland. The two castles were connected by an underground passage. The soldiers of Edward I of England lay siege around Dean Castle for three months. When the English soldiers were starting to starve, the inhabitants of Dean Castle hung out fresh beef and offered it to the English, saying they had more food than they could use. In disgust, the English commander raised the siege. The underground passage had been the secret to survival! There was always a very close friendship between the Craufurds of Craufurdland and the Boyd of Kilmarnock. There is a delightful legend about this friendship, although probably not true, it is entertaining.
  5. Records fail to establish the name of the eldest son of James, although it is probable that it was John. The details of his deeds are less well known, but it is likely that both James and his son ‘John’ would have continued their allegiance to Wallace after his death, and as such be seen at Bannockburn.
    Records fail to establish the name of the eldest son of James, although it is probable that it was John. The details of his deeds are less well known, but it is likely that both James and his son ‘John’ would have continued their allegiance to Wallace after his death, and as such be seen at Bannockburn. 
In the year of our Lord 1314, patriots of Scotland, starving and outnumbered, charged the fields of Bannockburn. They fought like warrior poets. They fought like Scotsmen and won their freedom. As Bannockburn is in Stirlingshire just north of Lanark, there is no doubt that the Crawfords and Wallace’s older brother Malcolm fought in the memory of their previously executed nephews, cousins, and uncles in this struggle for Scottish independence. The main branches of the family were Crawford of Auchinames (in Renfrewshire) who received a grant of land from Robert the Bruce, plus Craufurd of Craufurdland.
  6. John Craufurd of Craufurdland succeeded his father, as eldest son. He, during his time as laird acquired a new confirmation of the lands of Craufurdland (Ardoch), from Robert III in the second year of his reign, 1391, at Dundonald. He was succeeded by his eldest son. John’s third son John inherited the lands of Giffordland, and was the first Craufurd of Giffordland, (from which Craufurd of Birkhead comes).
  7. John’s eldest son (name unknown) died without issue and passed the estate on to his brother William of Craufurdland.