Craig's Feudale: The Craigs Of Riccarton

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The surname, which is also spelled Craigh, Creagh and Creag, means a steep rock or cliff, and was in widespread use across Scotland. A family of Craig associated with Clan Gordon, was installed at Craigfintray in Aberdeenshire, and several of the name rendered homage to Edward I in 1296. However, by the 15th century there were three families styling themselves Craig of that Ilk. The Craigs of Riccarton gained prominence during the 16th century when Sir Thomas Craig (1538-1608) wrote Jus Feudale, a treatise on Scottish Land Law, and De Unione Regnorum Britanniae. It is on record that he attended the Coronation of James VI when he became James I of England in 1603. The Riccarton estate passed through Sir Thomas's daughter to a member of the Gibson family who adopted the surname. Sir William Gibson Craig ( 1797-1878) became Member of Parliament for Midlothian, then for Edinburgh, and was created a Baronet. …show more content…

His descendants made a fortune in whiskey and, in the first quarter of the 20th century, organised the Ulster Volunteer Force in the struggle against Home Rule in Ireland. James Craig was the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and on being elevated to the British peerage took the title Viscount Craigavon. He died in 1940. John Craig (1512-1600) was a Dominican Friar who was accused of heresy. An admirer of John Calvin and a friend of the Reformer John Knox, he became Minister of Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. His son, also John Craig, was physician to both James VI and Charles I. James Craig (c.1740-1795) submitted the winning plan for the New Town of Edinburgh at the age of twenty

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