Cranston, Cranstoun or Cranstone is a Scottish surname originating in a clan that lived around Roxburgh in the Scottish Borders. It is a minor clan but has its own tartan and clan brooch. Notable people with the surname include:Alan Cranston (1914–2000), American politician from California Andrew Cranston, Scottish painter Bryan Cranston (b.1956), American actor Catherine Cranston (1849–1934), also known as Kate Cranston or Miss Cranston, tea room proprietor Earl Cranston (1840–1932), bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church Edwin Cranston, professor of Japanese at Harvard University John Cranston, colonial governor of Rhode Island Ken Cranston, former English cricketer Lefevre James Cranstone (1822–1893), English artist Maurice Cranston (1920–1993), British philosopher and political scientist Ross Cranston, British lawyer and politician, member of Parliament for Dudley Samuel Cranston, colonial governor of Rhode Island Tim Cranston, Canadian ice hockey player Tom Cranston (footballer) (1891–1916), Scottish footballer Thomas George Cranston (1877–1954), Irish chess player Toller Cranston (1949–2015), Canadian figure skater and artist