Cranstoun Clan Genealogy
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Let me show why I believe the Cranstoun Clan line is questionable. When James 8th Lord Cranstoun died his title was passed on to his brother Charles' son, James Edmund, 9th Lord Cranstoun. (funny that's the same name as David Cranstoun's son) When James Edmund, 9th Lord Cranstoun died his title was passed on to his son James Edward 10th Lord Cranstoun who died unmarried. When James Edward 10th Lord Cranstoun died unmarried the title was passed on to his brother Charles 11th Lord Cranstoun he died in 1869 also unmarried so the title (Baron) was thought extinct. Now, let's take a serious look at this lineage of James 8th Lord Cranstoun. History says he had no living children or brothers to inherit the title of Lord Cranstoun or did he?. If James 8th Lord Cranstoun had an illegitimate son would the title not then pass on to him, thereby keeping the Cranstoun lineage (title of Baron) going. However, head of the Cranstoun Clan was passed on to...now we have to go back to (James' grandfather) William 5th Lord Cranstoun's brother George's (died 1788, James died 8 years later in 1796) daughter Margaret Nicholson Cranstoun Cunninghame's (she married William 1st of Lainshaw Cuninghame) daughter Maria Cunninghame. Now Margaret was the sister of Lord Corehouse, a most honourable man, but he was a lord of the courts not royalty. Maria Cunninghame changed her name to Maria Edmonstoune-Cranstoun and when she died the title was passed on to her sister Margaret Cunninghame who then had her name changed to Margaret Edmonstoune-Cranstoun. When the two sisters died with no heirs the title went to Margaret Nicholson Cranstoun Cunninghame’s son John Cunninghame’s son Charles Edward Harris Cuninghame. In 1869 his name was also legally changed to Charles Edward Harris Edmondstoune-Cranstoun.
So now we must go back to his sister Margaret Colette Mary Gordon who marries Major John Gilbert Lockhart and their son Colonel David Alexander Somerville Lockhart assumes the title as head of the Cranstoun Clan. On 12 September, 1991 his name was legally changed to David Alexander Somerville Cranstoun of that Ilk and Corehouse. He held the position of Chief of the Name and Arms of Cranstoun from on 12 September 1991.He has no Cranstoun blood in his veins and it is my belief he shouldn't be allowed to use the Name and Arms of the Cranstoun family, simply because he changed his name...what bullshite. Now, these men with their backgrounds and military records are truly honourable and noteworthy men but as far as having any Cranstoun blood, I think not. It is my opinion and members of my family agree with me that they really have no claim to the title head of the Cranstoun Clan. I did contact the head of the Scotish Clans to see how to contest this but without a massive paper trail and a truckload of money I best forget it. I am really not that surprised especially when you look at how British royalty, who had children with their mistresses but because they didn't recognize their children from these relationships, the children did not exist, even though everyone knew they did. Seems like a lot of British upper class hypocracy to me to cover up their royal infidelities...somewhat like what what the sugar plantation owners did in the West Indies. In 2017 just before I headed off to Scotland I found proof in Scotlands People that James 8th Lord Cranstoun did in fact have a son James, which makes the preseent head of the Clans road to the top even more bumpy and wrong. (For more infomation and proof of my claim see James 8th Lord Cranstoun.) Well, I have had my DNA tested and I am secure in the knowledge that I am a true Cranstoun. There are no hyphens in my name and all the paper trails amount to nothing when you have DNA on your side, yet I do have the paper trails!
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Cranstoun Clan genealogy, in my opinion, becomes very questionable and muddled with the death of James 8th Lord Cranstoun. All titles throughout British history have been passed down to the eldest son in order to keep the bloodline intact. 
His son Colonel Charles Joseph Edmondstoune-Cranstoun succeed his tilte. When he died his sister Pilar Eliza Mary Edmonstoune-Cranstoun, married Brigader General Alister Fraser Gordon and their son was Major Alastair Joseph Edgar Gordon. On 11 September, 1950 his name was legally changed to Alastair Joseph Edgar Gordon-Cranstoun. He dies without issue!
