Life

Although Stiven de Johnston's date of birth and date of death were never recorded, he lived during the reign of King David II meaning that he was alive between 1331 and 1368. Johnston lived in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...

, Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

 during this time. It is postulated that he may have been the brother of the laird of Johnston considering that he shared the same surname and was later able to procure a position of power in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...

. Throughout his life he was known as the "clerk" due to his love of knowledge and research. His knowledge earned him a secretary position to the Earl of Mar

Earl of Mar

The Mormaer or Earl of Mar is a title that has been created seven times, all in the Peerage of Scotland. The first creation of the earldom was originally the provincial ruler of the province of Mar in north-eastern Scotland...

 during this period of time.

Marriage

Stiven de Johnston married to Margaret, the heiress of the Garioch. Through his marriage he obtained a variety of land including Caskieben, Crimond, and Kinburn. He renamed the lands that he obtained as Johnston. This started the Johnston aristocracy in Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...

. Their marriage produced multiple offspring including John de Johnston who later went on to rule the family as a patriarch following the death of Stiven de Johnston.

Legacy

Stiven de Johnston is considered to have started the Johnstons of Hilton clan in eastern and northern Scotland, although there is still some debate as the Johnstons of Hilton name at Hutton Hall was not formally adopted until the 17th century. Considering that Stiven de Johnston was the first recorded property owner in Aberdeenshire with a last name of Johnston along with the substantial amount of land that he owned began the creation of multiple Johnston Scottish clans which later spread throughout Scotland. His role as a patriarch through the acquisition of Scottish lands allowed the Johnston

Johnston

Johnston may refer to Johnston . It may also refer to:In places:* Johnston Atoll, in the central Pacific Ocean* Johnston, Pembrokeshire, Wales* United States** Johnston, Iowa** Johnston, Rhode Island** Johnston, South Carolina...

surname to spread through areas other than just the lowlands.