RALSTON

(origin: Local) Ralph, one of the descendants of Mac Duff, Thane of Fife, obtained a grant of land in Renfrewshire, and, as was common in those days, called he place after himself, Ralphstown, which was softened into Ralston.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.

RALSTON. The Ralstons "of that Ilk" are descended from the Mac Duffs, Thanes or Earls of Fife, one of whom had a son Ralph. The latter, obtaining a grant of lands in Renfrewshire, called them after his own name, Ralphs-toune. In process of time, his descendants, continuing on the same estate, wrote themselves De Ralphs

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.