Clan Grierson
| Grierson | |||
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Crest: A fetterlock Argent
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| 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 | |||
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| Sarah Grierson of Lag, | |||
| Chief of the Name and Arms of Grierson. | |||
| Historic seat | Lag Tower | ||
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Clan Grierson is a Scottish clan.
The personal name Gregor comes from the Greek for vigilant, through its Latin translation of gregorious. The name was popular amongst clergy in the Middle Ages. It is from this forename that the surname of Grierson is believed to be derived. It has been conjectured that the Grierson family come from the same stock as the Clan Gregor, although this theory has been refuted by modern historians and there is no evidence to support it.
The surname Grierson is a modern spelling of the medieval (circa 1408) surname Grerson.
In about 1408 the Griersons acquired the lands of Lag, which became the principal seat of the clan chiefs. Gilbert Grierson is described in a charter dating from 1420 as armour bearer to the Earl of Douglas. Gilbert married Janet, daughter of Sir Simon Glendinning, whose mother was Mary Douglas, daughter of the fourth Earl of Douglas and Princess Margaret. These royal connections secured the early fortunes of the Griersons. In 1460 Vedast Grierson built a strong tower at Lag.
Vedast Grierson's son, Roger, obtained a royal charter confirming his lands in 1473. However Roger was later killed at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488. The Grierson Lairds of Lag also followed James IV of Scotland to the Battle of Flodden in 1513 where they met the same fate as the king.
During the wars surrounding Mary, Queen of Scots the Griersons declared for James VI of Scotland in the confrontation between the Queen and the Protestant lords.
Chief William Grierson of Lag was allied to the powerful Clan Maxwell and joined forces with them against the Clan Johnstone at the Battle of Dryfe Sands in 1593.
William Grierson of Lag was knighted by James VI in 1608. His son was Sir Robert Grierson who was succeeded by his cousin, another Robert Grierson. This Robert Grierson became the first Baronet of Lag. This Robert Grierson for a time made the name of Grierson synonymous with terror and death throughout the south and west of Scotland, with his persecution of the Covenanters during the reign of James VII of Scotland. He was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia in March 1685. In that same year he surprised an illegal Covenanter service at Kirkconnel and 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. Amongst the Covenanter martys was John Bell of Whiteside. Bell's stepfather was the Viscount Kenmure who was with John Graham of Claverhouse when they encountered Sir Robert Grierson and a quarrel broke out. Kenmure drew his sword but Claverhouse dissuaded him from fighting a duel.
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Wikipedia