A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cranstoun family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9962 · French, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à trois grues d'arg. C.: une grue avec sa vigilance au nat., la tête cont. et cachée dans ses ailes. T.: à dextre une femme, hab. d'or, revêtue d'un surtout de gu., la tête ornée de plumages, tenant de sa main dextre une branche de groseiller au nat.; à sen. un cerf au nat. D.: THOU SHALT WANT ERE I WANT.”
Francec. 1609
Where the Cranstoun Arms Were Recorded
Bretagne
Map of France showing where the Cranstoun arms are recorded
The Cranstoun arms were recorded in France, c. 1609.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in France in this period.
Henry IV of France
Sovereign of the period
Henry IV of France
1589–1610
Reigning in France when the Cranstoun arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Cranstoun Family in France
The history of the Cranstoun name in France centers on the region of Bretagne, where members of the family established a presence by the early seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, its appearance in French records during the year 1609 suggests a period of migration or service that brought the family into the social fabric of northwestern France. During this era, families moving between the British Isles and the continent often integrated into local administrative or military circles to maintain their status. By settling in Bretagne, these individuals became part of a complex regional history defined by maritime trade and shifting political alliances. Their presence in the area reflects the movement of people across the English Channel, as families sought new opportunities or fled instability in their homelands. This early chapter of the Cranstoun name in France highlights how a lineage could adapt to a new culture while preserving its identity in a foreign land.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Gu. three cranes within a bordure embattled ar”
Scotlandc. 1724
Where the Cranstoun Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cranstoun arms are recorded
The Cranstoun arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1724.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George I of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George I of Great Britain
1714–1727
Reigning in France when the Cranstoun arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Cranstoun Family in Scotland
The Cranstoun family name originates from the lands of Cranstoun in Midlothian, a region located just southeast of Edinburgh. The name is locational in nature, meaning it was adopted by individuals who held or lived on these specific feudal estates during the Middle Ages. By the early 18th century, the family had established a firm presence within the capital city of Edinburgh, where they were active in the professional and social life of the Scottish Enlightenment. Throughout their history, members of the family were often linked to the legal and administrative circles of the city, reflecting their status as part of the landed gentry. Their long-standing connection to the Lothian area provided them with a stable foundation that allowed them to transition from medieval landowners into prominent urban citizens by 1724.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crane
A long-legged wading bird of the family Gruidae.
This name
CranstounDerived from a place name meaning a settlement or town frequented by cranes.
also spelled
Cranston
Kranstun
Related arms
Bannatynerecorded with Cranstoun, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Série E (Fonds privés et généalogiques)
Potier de Courcy, Pol, Nobiliaire et armorial de Bretagne, 1890
Kerviler, René, Répertoire général de bio-bibliographie bretonne, 1886
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
bordureA difference between branches of one family
