Ralston, an estate in Abbey parish, Renfrewshire, 1¾ mile E of Paisley From an early period down to the beginning of the 18th century it belonged to a family of its own name, originally called Ralphston from their ancestor Ralph; and in 1800, with some exception, it was acquired by William Orr, Esq., who had previously purchased from the Earl of Glasgow a part of the adjacent estate of Ingliston, and who erected there a handsome mansion called Ralston House.—Ord. Sur., sh. 30, 1866.

(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)