Clan Crest Badges
To show allegience to a clan a clan crest badge can be worn to ahow membership or allegiance to a particular clan, either as a brooch or on a cap.
The popularity of crest badges, owe much to Victorian era romanticism. They developed from the use of specific plants worn in bonnets. Today, they are very popular at clan gatherings, and generally when wearing highlandwear
Crest badges are made out of silver or white metal such as pewter. In fact 'clan crests' belong to the clan chief rather than to all members of the clan. Secondly, in Scotland Coats of Arms and crests belong to individuals rather than families.
Clan crest badges - are referred to as 'heraldic property' which is the assigning, and marshalling of a coat of arms. The Lord Lyon is the sole King of Arms in Scotland. He is Head of the Heraldic Executive and the Judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon which has jurisdiction of all heraldic matters in Scotland. The office of Lyon King of Arms dates from the 14th century.
Members of clans can only wear the badge to show allegience to the clan and it's chief - the crest is the sole property of the clan chief and is protected under law. Only Clan chiefs are entitled to wear three eagle feathers behind the circlet of their crest badge.
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.
Armigers, bearers of arms, like chiefs and chieftains, may wear their own personal crest within a plain circlet inscribed with their own motto or slogan with a single silver eagle feather. They can also wear the clan crest badge encircled by a strap and buckle.
Women can also wear the clan crest as a brooch. If they are chiefs, chieftians or armigers in their own right they can wear feathers.
The use of a strap and buckle around the crest is to show that the wearer is a follower of the person who own the crest and motto.
Those who do not have a clan surname 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 by the clan chief.
Surnames such as Smith, Wright, Fletcher, and Miller, which refer to trades, are associated names of many clans, so it falls to the individual to explore their personal ancestry and discovery their own clan.
About the Author
Anna Murray is Head of Marketing at The Scotland Kilt Company - a family run business based in Edinburgh. For more information about our range of clan crest items visit http://www.thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk/ email info@thescotlandkiltcompany.co.uk Or call 0131 225 3555
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