Origins of the Clan The surname is derived from the historic lands of Ralston located just east of
Paisley, Renfrewshire. The name is a condensed version of "Ralph's Town", which over time softened into the spelling of today. The personal name
Ralph is a diminutive of
Randolph, which itself comes from the old English
Raedwlf, meaning "cunning wolf". According to one family legend commonly referenced by genealogists and historians, the progenitor of the Ralston Surname began with a Ralph, younger son of one of the
Earls of Fife. This Ralph received land from the high steward and named them after himself, his descendants adopting the same. However, because of the lack of evidence, this story is highly debated. Modern researchers have suggested that the actual man in question was Ralph the Chaplain of Paisley, who owned the adjacent lands of Hillington during the late 12th Century. Due to the lack of contemporary records, the first Ralph of Ralston may never be officially determined. The earliest mention of this family is
Jacobus de Rauliston, dominis ejusden, who appears as witness to "de creatine abbotis" of Paisley in 1219.
Nicolaius de Raulston witnessed a charter granted by Sir Anthony Lombard for the lands of Fulton to the monks of Paisley Abbey in 1272. In 1296
Hew de Ralstoun and his brother
Thomas de Raulfefton, Counte de Lanark signed the
Ragman Roll of 1296 swearing allegiance to
Edward I of England. In 1346
Jacobus de Raulyston of that Ilk witnessed the election of an Abbot of Paisley. This is the first time a member of the family is found with the honorable title
Of that Ilk. later becoming the king's treasurer and keeper of the
Privy Seal. He was succeeded as Lord of Ralston by his nephew John Ralston of that Ilk. Some of the Ralston family remained in Renfrewshire while others moved to Ayrshire with him. Thomas fell at
The Battle of Flodden and was succeeded as chief by his son, also named Thomas.
17th Century William Ralston, second son of Hew Ralston of that Ilk, was the progenitor of the Ralstons of Auchentorlie who flourished from the 16th through the 18th century and expanded in the areas surrounding the original clan seat, including Paisley, Glasgow, and Hamilton. This line would go on as cadet branches of the clan as the Ralstons of Auchangramont, Tower Hill, and Warwick Hill. He spent the rest of his life as a church elder and was buried in Kiel, Southend.
“Argent, on a bend, azure: three acorns in the seed. Crest, a falcon proper. Supporters, dexter, a man in armour, sinister, a horse rampant. Motto, Fide et Marte.” 18th Century to the Present Gavin Ralston of that Ilk succeeded his grandfather as heir to the chieftain title. In 1703 he was called out before his church on the account of unseasonable drinking and swearing. The following year, due to excessive debts, Gavin sold the ancient family lands of Ralston near Paisley to John, Earl of Dundonald, with the exception that he could keep his title Of that Ilk. Gavin's son and heir William followed in his unsavory lifestyle, and in 1744 while in a bout of drunkenness sustained a head injury from his wife via a brass ladle, leading to his death a few days later. His son Gavin succeeded him at age 9. The last Gavin Ralston of that Ilk spent his younger years living in Virginia working with his merchant cousin William Sheddon. Upon returning to Scotland he married Anabella Pollock, and remodeled the family seat at Woodside. He joined the army and served in Ireland. In 1771, in order to pay off remaining debts from his father, Gavin sold the property of Woodside-Ralston. In 1780 Gavin inherited the lands of
Arthurlie from his father-in-law, and established himself as a well respected businessman in the textile industry. He died in June 1819 at the age of 85 without any still-living heirs, and was buried in Beith with
Masonic honors. He was the last surviving representative of the Ralstons of that Ilk == Tartans ==