Recorded in several spellings including Crighton, Crichton, Crichten, Creighton, Creaton and Critten this is a famous Scottish clan surname. It is of locational or perhaps more properly territorial origin, from the old barony of Crichton in the former county of Midlothian. The placename recorded in surviving charters as Crechtune in 1139, as Krektun in 1250, and as Creigchton in 1367, derives from the Ancient British word "cruc", meaning a hill, plus the pre 7th century "tun", meaning a farm or settlement, hence "hill farm", or "the settlement by a hill". The surname is first recorded in the early half of the 12th Century, (see below), and other early examples of the surname recording include those of Thomas de Kreytton, also recorded as Creitton, who was a burgess of the city of Berwick in the year 1200, and Alisaundre de Creighton who rendered homage in 1296 to the republican or Interregnum Government, who "reigned" for ten years until overthrown by Robert, The Bruce. Later examples include Euphame Crightoun, who was christened in the parish of Edinburgh in 1619, whilst on July 3rd 1631, William Crighton was also christened in Edinburgh. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of Turstan de Crectune. This was dated 1128, when he was a witness to King David's charter of Holyrood. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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