The personal name Ralph is a diminutive of Randolph, which itself comes from the old English Raedwlf, meaning "cunning wolf".

[3] Like most Scottish surnames, the spelling has varied greatly over time, with variants such as Roulston, Ralfestoune, Railstoune, Raltoune, Rolston, and Ralstone.

[4] According to one family legend commonly referenced by genealogists and historians, the progenitor of the Ralston Surname began with a Ralph, younger son of one of the Earls of Fife.

Modern researchers have suggested that the actual man in question was Ralph the Chaplain of Paisley, who owned the adjacent lands of Hillington during the late 12th Century.

Nicolaius de Raulston witnessed a charter granted by Sir Anthony Lombard for the lands of Fulton to the monks of Paisley Abbey in 1272.

If he followed the traditional Scottish naming convention, then this would be plausible, as would also explain the high status of John de Ralston.

Though records suggest that the plantation was unsuccessful, many residents of the area today still carry the Ralston surname.

[8][16] In 1650, in return for his loyalty and due to his status as a successful Lowland Laird, William was granted lands in Kintyre, near Campbeltown, and charged with restoring Saddell Castle.

While completing the task, he moved a portion of his family to these new lands as part of the Kintyre Lowland Plantation.

[8][16] William was arrested in 1665 and imprisoned at Dumbarton Castle due to his military involvement during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

It is possible that William matriculated his shield from James, as he was the closest relation to possess armorial bearings.

[19][citation needed] Gavin Ralston of that Ilk succeeded his grandfather as heir to the chieftain title.

The following year, due to excessive debts, Gavin sold the ancient family lands of Ralston near Paisley to John, Earl of Dundonald, with the exception that he could keep his title Of that Ilk.

Gavin's son and heir William followed in his unsavory lifestyle, and in 1744 while in a bout of drunkenness sustained a head injury from his wife via a brass ladle, leading to his death a few days later.

[8] The last Gavin Ralston of that Ilk spent his younger years living in Virginia working with his merchant cousin William Sheddon.

It consists of all formerly registered tartans from STS, STA, and STWR in conjunction with The National Records of Scotland.