Grierson Clan

Grierson Clan Crest: A fetterlock, Argent.

Grierson Clan Motto: Hoc Securiror (More secure by this).

Grierson Clan History: THE surname of Grierson is said to be a contemporary spelling of the medieval Grerson, and it is claimed by some that the Griersons of Lag in Dumfries-shire were descended from Gilbert, second son of Malcolm, Chief of Clan Gregor who received a grant of lands at Dalgarnock around 1408.

In 1420, Gilbert Grierson is identified as Armour Bearer to the Earl of Douglas. Grierson was married to Janet Glendinning, a granddaughter of the 4th Earl of Douglas and his wife, Princess Margaret. Vedast Grierson improved the family stronghold at Lag by adding a four-storey tower to the fortalice.

Vedast's son Roger Grierson was killed at the Battle of Sauchieburn in 1488, and his successors followed James IV to their fate at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. The family sided with James IV during his infancy, and William Grierson of Lag was knighted by James VI.

During the reign of James VII, Sir Robert Grierson of Lag, fiercely persecuted the Covenanters, from his base at Garryhorn. On surprising worshippers at Kirkconnel, he massacred many, reportedly rolling some down a hill, inside a spiked barrel, then refusing the dead a Christian burial. His reputation as a bloodthirsty zealot led to all sorts of weird and wonderful stories, his acid spit could burn holes where it fell, and when he sipped wine it turned to congealed blood. Grierson himself spent time in prison after allying himself with Jacobite cause. Sir Walter Scott used Grierson in his popular Red Gauntlet novel.

John Grierson (1898-1972) was a highly influential film maker, widely regarded as the father of the documentary. He actually invented the term "documentary" during a 1926 review of Moana in the New York Sun newspaper. He established the National Film Board of Canada during World War II, and served as UNESCO's first Director of Mass Communications and Public Information in 1947. Throughout his long and distinguished career, he was involved responsible for the production of well over a thousand films and television programmes.

Benjamin Grierson (1826 –1911) was a union cavalry general during the American Civil War. In 1863 he led an expedition through Confederate held land that cut lines of communication between Vicksburg, Mississippi and the enemy commanders in the Eastern Theatre. After the civil war ended Grierson led the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Regiment.

Associated family names/spelling variations: Greerson, Greer, Grier.

Surname distribution in Scotland: The Grierson surname is most common in Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire.

Places of Interest:
Lag Tower, Dunscore, Dumfriesshire. Held by the Griersons from 1408 until the early 1600’s. The family added a four-storey tower house to the original fortalice.

Barjarg Tower, nr Penpont, Dumfriesshire. A 16th century L-plan tower house with beautiful views of the surrounding Lowther hills. The Griersons held the castle from 1587 until the 18th century and added a four-storey tower house to the structure.

Capenoch House, Thornhill, Dumfriesshire. Sits on land held by the Griersons for the majority of the period from between 1540 and 1850. Parts of this privately owned house, which was greatly remodelled and extended in the 19th century, are thought to date as far back as the 15th century.

Grierson Clan membership certificates.