A distinctive Scottish surname of numerous spellings:
Creighton,Crighton,Crichten, which is of territorial origin from
the barony of Crichton in Midlothian. The earliest recorded
witnessed a charter by King David c.1128 Sanquhar in
Nithsdale,Dumfriesshire was home to the Crichtons remembered in
the ballad The Lads of Wamphray for their feud with the
Johnstones of Annandale.The title Lord Crichton of Sanquhar
(1488) in later generations was elevated when 9th Lord Crichton
was created Earl of Dumfries (1633) . This title was inherited
by the Crichton-Stuarts,Marquesses of Bute,whose heir apparent
retains the title Earl of Dumfries. The current 7th Marquess was
known as Johnny Dumfries when driving in F1 motor racing. The
Crichton,Viscounts of Frendraught in Banffshire acquired this
land through marriage with the Dunbars. They were supporters of
Montrose and Jacobite sympathisers eventually exiled to France.
Another branch settled in Ireland shortly after the Plantation
of Ulster.Taking land about 1613 in Co.Fer