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{{also|List of crest badges used by Scottish clan members}}
{{also|List of crest badges used by Scottish clan members}}
[[Image:Boyd Clan Crest Badge.jpg|thumb|A modern day crest badge worn by members of the [[Scottish clans|Clan]] [[Boyd]]. The strap and buckle identifies one as a follower of the clan chief whose crest is displayed in the center of the badge. Earlier examples of Scottish crest badges differed in the way the strap and buckle was arranged, with more recent examples having the end hanging over, rather than passing through, the coiled strap.]]

[[Image:Macpherson chief badge.jpg|thumb|Crest badge as worn by the [[Scottish clan chief|chief]] of [[Clan Macpherson]]. As part of longstanding [[Scottish Highlands|Highland]] tradition chiefs of [[Scottish clans]] are afforded the social courtesy of displaying three eagles' feathers in their cap, or a representation of them in silver as part of their crest badge.]]
[[Image:Macpherson chief badge.jpg|thumb|Crest badge as worn by the [[Scottish clan chief|chief]] of [[Clan Macpherson]]. As part of longstanding [[Scottish Highlands|Highland]] tradition chiefs of [[Scottish clans]] are afforded the social courtesy of displaying three eagles' feathers in their cap, or a representation of them in silver as part of their crest badge.]]


Revision as of 23:56, 11 July 2010

See also: List of crest badges used by Scottish clan members
File:Boyd Clan Crest Badge.jpg
A modern day crest badge worn by members of the Clan Boyd. The strap and buckle identifies one as a follower of the clan chief whose crest is displayed in the center of the badge. Earlier examples of Scottish crest badges differed in the way the strap and buckle was arranged, with more recent examples having the end hanging over, rather than passing through, the coiled strap.
File:Macpherson chief badge.jpg
Crest badge as worn by the chief of Clan Macpherson. As part of longstanding Highland tradition chiefs of Scottish clans are afforded the social courtesy of displaying three eagles' feathers in their cap, or a representation of them in silver as part of their crest badge.

A Scottish crest badge, commonly called a clan crest, is a heraldic badge worn to show one's allegiance to an individual or one's membership to a specific Scottish clan.[1] Crest badges are commonly referred to as "clan crests", however this term is a misnomer. There is no such thing as a clan crest, just like there is no such thing as a clan coat of arms.

Crest badges, much like clan tartans, do not have a long history, and owe much to Victorian era romanticism, having only been worn on the bonnet since the mid-19th century when the buckled strap device commonly used by the Order of the Garter was adopted as a popular design to encircle monogram escutcheons and heraldic crests.[2] The original badges used by clans are said to have been specific plants worn in bonnets or hung from a pole or spear.[3]

File:Maclean of duart.jpg
An early example of a Scottish chief's personal crest badge worn by the MacLean of Duart, which shows the heraldic crests encircled by the strap and buckle device that has more recently come to denote an un-armigerous follower of the clan chief.

Crest badges consist of a crest and a motto/slogan. These elements are heraldic property and protected by law in Scotland. Crest badges may be worn by anyone, however those who are not entitled to the heraldic elements within, wear a crest badge surrounded by a strap and buckle. Those who own the heraldic elements within, may wear a crest badge surrounded by a plain circlet. The strap and buckle represents that the wearer is a follower of the individual who owns the crest and motto, although there are examples dating to the 19th century when the strap and buckle design was first adopted which show Scottish clan chiefs wearing their own crests encircled by the buckled strap such as The Chisholm, painted by Kenneth MacLeay in 1869.

Crest badges are commonly worn by members of Scottish clans. These badges usually consist of elements from the clan chief's coat of arms. Clan members who wear their chief's crest and motto surrounded by a strap and buckle, show they are a member of the chief's clan (family).[1] There are established clans that do not have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. In such cases clan members sometimes wear the crest badge of the last known chief. Some clans wear crest badges derived from the arms of individuals who were never recognised as clan chiefs. Although "clan crests" are commonly bought and sold, the heraldic crest and motto belong to the chief alone and never the individual clan member.[4]

File:Chisholm macleay.jpg
Portrait of the Chief of the Clan Chisholm painted by Kenneth MacLeay in 1869 showing the 19th century Scottish chief wearing crest badges of the style now associated with un-armigerous clansmen as followers of a chief.
File:Early crest badges.jpg
Clan Chisholm crest badges from the early 19th century. Prior to the Victorian era Scottish crest badges had not yet assumed a standardised form with the usual strap and buckle surround which became common during the latter half of the 19th century.
File:Bowman crest badge.jpg
Clan Bowman crest badge from the late 19th century. Victorian era Scottish crest badges often employed the strap and buckle device arranged in a manner identical to that used by the Order of the Garter.
Insignia of the Order of the Garter. The circular strap and buckle device used by the Order of the Garter was often employed as a surrounding border for monogram escutcheons on jewelry and other items since the early 19th century. By the Victorian era this strap and buckle motif came to be used in the design of regimental cap badges and was eventually adopted as a surround for crest badges worn by Scottish clansmen.

Introduction

Although the term "clan crest" is most commonly used, it is a misnomer. There is in fact no such thing as a clan crest. Although it is possible to purchase "clan crests", and the crest badge itself can be owned by a clan member, the heraldic crest and motto of the badge belong to the chief alone and never the clan member. The crest and motto within and are the sole property of the chief, and clan members are only permitted to wear the badge in a show of allegiance to their clan and clan chief. It is illegal for a clan member to misappropriate the chief's crest and motto in acts such as decorating silverware and inscriptions on signet rings and jewellery. In short, coats of arms, crests and mottos are the personal property of one person only, and in terms of "clan crests" they are the property of the clan chief.[4]

Crest badges intended for wear as cap badges are commonly made of silver or some other metal such as pewter. Women may wear a crest badge as a sash brooch, usually pinned to the left shoulder of their gown or blouse.

There are established clans which do not have a chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. In such cases, clan members usually wear a crest badge which contains the crest and motto of the last known chief.[4] However, there are instances where such clans wear crest badges which are based upon the arms of someone who was never a recognised clan chief. For example, Clan Macfie, which current does not have a chief, uses a crest badge which is derived from the arms of one of the first two Macfies who registered Arms at Lyon Court.[5] Another clan —Clan MacEwen— whose chiefly line has been untraced since the 15th century, has a crest badge containing the crest and motto of a baronet bearing the surname McEwen. Oddly enough, the McEwen baronets may not have any actual link with the main Clan MacEwen at all.[6] Another instance is the crest badge of Clan MacInnes. This crest badge is based upon a modern coat of arms of an armigerous clan member, not a clan chief.[note 1]

According to the English officers of arms John Martin Robinson and Thomas Woodcock, crests have played a relatively insignificant role in Scottish heraldry when compared to English heraldry. In consequence many Scottish armigers, including clan chiefs, have comparatively similar crests to one another.[8] Because of this, crest badges can sometimes show an obvious association with another clan. For example, clans associated with the Chattan Confederation share very similar crest badges bearing wild cats.[9][note 2] Clans associated with Clan Campbell —Clan Campbell of Breadalbane, Clan MacIver and Clan MacTavish— use a crest badges which contain similar crests and mottoes that allude to that of the chief of Clan Campbell.[10][11][12][13]

Who is entitled to wear a crest badge?

A person does not need to be a member of a clan society to be able to wear a crest badge. Any clan member has a right to it, not just clan societies and clan society members. According to the Court of the Lord Lyon clan membership goes with the surname. Although, today many people who do not bear a clan surname do wear crest badges of their mother's clan, and anyone who offers their allegiance to a clan chief is a member of a clan (unless the chief decides to refuse that person's allegiance). Many people bear names that, while not actual clan surnames, are sept names or associated names of certain clans. Surnames such as Smith, Wright, Fletcher, and Miller are examples as such names that are associated names of many clans (as every clan would have its own smiths, wrights, fletchers and millers). It is up to the individual to explore their personal ancestry and discovery the correct clan that they belong to.[4][14]

Elements

Scottish crest badges may contain the following elements:

Crest A crest stands above the wreath which stands above the shield in a coat of arms. It is impossible to own a crest if one is not in possession of a coat of arms, as the crest is adjunct to the coat or arms. In Scottish Heraldry the crest is usually accompanied with the motto or slogan, and sometimes an additional motto or slogan is granted which may also appear on a clan member's crest badge.[4]
Wreath The wreath appears on a coat of arms between the crest and helmet. When on a crest badge, the wreath is always shown below the crest to show that it is a heraldic crest and not another object.[4]
Coronet A coronet or antique crown (pictured top) may replace the wreath in some crests. The coronet (pictured bottom), referred to as a "crest coronet", consists of three visible strawberry leaves (one and two halves). An antique crown consists of five visible arches (three and two halves).[4]

File:Scottish crest badge element - Crest coronet.svg
Chapeau The heraldic chapeau can replace the wreath in some crests, it may also appear between the wreath and the crest. The chapeau indicates the owner's baronial rank.[4]

Wearing the crest badge

Clan chiefs, clan chieftains, armigerous clan members, and un-armigerous clan members may wear crest badges. However, there are differences in the type of crest badge they wear.

Clan chiefs

A clan chief is the head of his or her clan/family, and is the representer of the family's founder. A clan chief is expected to be recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms as the rightful heir of the undifferenced arms of their name.[15]

Clan chiefs may wear their crest simpliciter, that is without being encircled by the motto and without any feathers. It is more common, however, for a clan chiefs to wear their own personal crest within a plain circlet inscribed with their motto or slogan (pictured left). The chief's crest badge does not include the strap and buckle that other clan members normally wear. Clan chiefs are afforded the courtesy of displaying three eagle feathers in their bonnet as an indication of their social rank[note 3], which are normally worn behind the circlet of their crest badge. On certain occasions, such as clan gatherings, it may be appropriate to use real eagle feathers. Clan chiefs that are members of the British Peerage are entitled to wear the appropriate coronet above the circlet on their crest badge, though this is a matter of personal preference.[4]

Clan chieftains

Clan chieftains are the representers of large branches of a Scottish clan. They are officially recognised as clan chieftains by the Lord Lyon King of Arms.[4]

Clan chieftains, like clan chiefs, may wear their own personal crest within a plain circlet inscribed with their own motto or slogan. Clan chieftains may also wear two small eagle feathers (unlike the chief's three).[note 4] On certain occasions real eagle feathers may be worn behind the crest badge. If a clan chieftain is a member of the British Peerage, he or she is permitted to wear the appropriate coronet above the circlet on their crest badge.[4]

Clan chieftains may also wear the crest badge of their chief in the same manner as an un-armigerous clan member (see Un-armigerous clan members below).[4]

Armigerous clan members

In terms of Scottish Heraldry, an armiger is someone who has registered his or her own coat of arms, or has inherited a coat of arms according to the Laws of Arms in Scotland from an ancestor who had arms recorded in the Lyon Register.[4]

Armigers, like clan chiefs and chieftains, may wear their own personal crest within a plain circlet inscribed with their own motto or slogan. Armigers are permitted to wear one silver eagle feather behind the circlet (or on certain occasions a real eagle feather).[note 5] If an Armiger is a member of the British Peerage he or she is permitted to wear the appropriate coronet above the circlet on their crest badge. If an Armiger is a member of a Scottish clan he or she may wear the crest badge of their chief, however it must be encircled by a strap and buckle (see Un-armigerous clan members below).[4]

Un-armigerous clan members

Members of Scottish clans are considered, by the Court of the Lord Lyon, to be relatives of their clan chief. They can be either immediate family or extended family. Clan members can also be people who only bear the "clan surname" or a sept name associated with the clan. The Court of the Lord Lyon has also stated that anyone who professes allegiance to both the clan and its chief can be considered a clan member. All clan members may wear the chief's crest encircled by a strap and buckle inscribed with their chief's motto or slogan. The strap and buckle symbolises the membership to the clan and allegiance to the clan chief.[4]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scottish crest badges.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ The International Association of Clan MacInnes has attempted to have this crest badge changed to one of its own creation, bearing the motto MACAONGHAIS A-RITHIST (translation from Scottish Gaelic: "Again MacInnes").[7]
  2. ^ Clans Chattan, MacBain, Macgillivray, Mackintosh, Macpherson, and MacThomas. See List of crest badges used by Scottish clan members for comparison of crest badges.[9]
  3. ^ The use of feathers is one of custom and convention, and has no legal basis.[16]
  4. ^ The use of feathers is one of custom and convention, and has no legal basis.[17]
  5. ^ The use of feathers is one of custom and convention, and has no legal basis.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b "Crests". The Court of the Lord Lyon. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  2. ^ Campbell of Airds, Alastair (2002). A History of Clan Campbell: Volume 2: From Flodden to the Restoration. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. pp. 289–290. ISBN 1902930185.
  3. ^ Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Iain (1967). The Highland Clans. London: Barrie & Rocklif. p. 20.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o The Court of the Lord Lyon. "Information Leaflet No.2 - Scottish Crest Badges" (PDF). www.scotarmigers.net. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  5. ^ "Clan Macfie". www.clanmacfiehomepage.org. Retrieved 8 October 2007.
  6. ^ Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Iain (1967). The Highland Clans. London: Barrie & Rocklif. pp. 99–100.
  7. ^ "International Association of Clan MacInnes". www.macinnes.org. Retrieved 21 April 2008.
  8. ^ Woodcock, Thomas; Robinson, John Martin (1988). The Oxford Guide to Heraldry. Oxford University Press: Fontana. p. 83. ISBN 0-19-280226-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. ^ a b Way of Plean, George; Squire, Romilly (2000). Clans & Tartans. Glasgow: HarperCollins. pp. 70, 166, 188, 204, 228, 232. ISBN 0-00-472501 8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Way of Plean, George; Squire, Romilly (2000). Clans & Tartans. Glasgow: HarperCollins. pp. 64, 196. ISBN 0-00-472501 8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "Clan Campbell of Breadalbane". Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
  12. ^ "Clan MacTavish". Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs. Retrieved 9 April 2008.
  13. ^ Campbell of Airds, Alastair (2000). A History of Clan Campbell: Volume 1: From Origins To The Battle Of Flodden. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. pp. 246–247. ISBN 1902930177.
  14. ^ "Who is a member of a clan?". The Court of the Lord Lyon. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  15. ^ Adam, Frank; Innes of Learney, Thomas (1970). The Clans, Septs & Regiments of the Scottish Highlands (8th ed.). Edinburgh: Johnston and Bacon. pp. 154–155.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Opinion of the Lord Lyon King of Arms; from the Clan Convention at The Scottish Parliament; 25/07/2009; afternoon session; video link; 25-30 minutes in
  17. ^ Opinion of the Lord Lyon King of Arms; from the Clan Convention at The Scottish Parliament; 25/07/2009; afternoon session; video link; 25-30 minutes in
  18. ^ Opinion of the Lord Lyon King of Arms; from the Clan Convention at The Scottish Parliament; 25/07/2009; afternoon session; video link; 25-30 minutes in

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