This surname is derived from a geographical locality. 'of Crichton,' an old estate and castle in Edinburghshire.

'Crichton though now thy miry court But pens the lazy steer and sheep.'

Harm ion. 'Sir Alexander Crichton (1763-1856), physician, was born at Edinburgh': Dictionary of National Biography.

'James Crichton, sumamed the Admirable, was born probably at Eliock, Dumfriesshire. He signed himself Creichton': ibid.

'William Crichton, or Creighton (fl. 1615), Jesuit, was a native of Scotland': ibid.

'Robert Creighton, or Crichton (1593-1672), bishop of Bath and Wells, was born at Dunkeld, Perthshire': ibid.

It is thus clear that although there is Creighton, a township in the parish of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, the various forms all represent one surname, and that is the Scotch Crichton.

Of territorial origin from the old barony of Crichton in Midlothian. The old spellings of the barony name are very various, but one, Kreiton, "seems to settle how the name was pronounced" (Sc. Peer., III, p. 52). Turstan de Crectune witnessed King David's great charter to Holyrood, c. 1128 (LSC., p. 6), and Henricus Crictannus witnessed a charter by Roger, bishop elect of St. Andrews, relating to the church of Hadintun, c. 1189—98 (RPSA., p. 153). Thomas de Kreytton or Creitton was a burgess of Berwick c. 1200 (Neubotle, 209), and William de Crichton witnessed a grant by Maldoueny, earl of Lennox, to Stephen de Blantyre, c. 1248 (Levenax, p. 36). Alisaundre de Creightone of Edinburghshire, and Thomas de Creghtone of Berwickshire rendered homage in 1296 (Bain, II, p. 206,213). William de Kreitton, rector of the church of Kreitton, gave his lands to the Abbey of New-battle in 1338 (Neubotle, 165—167), Robert of Crichtoun was one of the conservators of the truce between Scotland and England in 1451 (Bain, IV, 1239), and Alexander Crechtoune appears as a witness in Edinburgh in 1462 (Neubotle, 290). Peter de Crechtoun was rector of Kynoule in 1465 (RAA., II, 162), and Margaret Chrightone was examined for the Test in Tinwald in 1685 (RPC., 3. ser. XI, p. 434). Chreichton 1647, Chreichtone 1506, Chrightoune 1643, Chrychtone 1563, Chrychtoune 1595, Crechttoun 1558, Crectoun 1539 Creghtoun 1361, Creichtane 1530, Creichtoun 1536, Creichtoune 1387, Creihton 1320, Creitoun 1537, Creychton 1337, Creychtone 1544, Creychtoun 1601, Creychtoune 1581, Creyghton 1492, Creyghtoun 1656, Crichtoune 1608, Crightoun 1656, Crychtoun 1576, Crychtown 1485, Cryttone 1617, Greythorn 1429 (Bain. IV, 1032), Kreittoun 1328.

(Eng, and Scot.-Eng.) belonging to Creighton or Crichton = the Creek (or Nook) Farm or Estate [v. under Creek, and + Middle English ton, tun, Old English tún] See Crichton.

A Scottish name, also sometimes used as a synonym of Creaghan etc. q.v

(English, Irish) One who came from Creaton (rocky homestead), in Northamptonshire, or from Creighton (rocky homestead), in Staffordshire; grandson of Criochan (little blind one, or small person).

An ancient castle and estate in Edinburghshire, well known in history, and long the seat of the family.

The castle of plunder-creachton. The family are descended from William de Crichton, 1240.

In the Gaelic, criochton signifies a boundary hill, end, limit, landmark; creachion, the hill or castle of plunder, or the ruined, pillaged place.

A location name in Staffordshire.