A Scottish crest badge, commonly called a clan crest is worn to show allegiance to a specific Scottish clan. There are over 120 types of clan badges. A clan crest badge can be worn on a cap badge or as a brooch. Traditionally the clan crest badge had a clansman's belt which encircles a clan crest, they often feature a motto or slogan.
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. Two eagle feathers may also be worn by clan chieftains.
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 clan members can wear the crest badge as a brooch and don't wear feathers behind the Crest Badge, unless they are Chiefs, Chieftains or Armigers.
Those who are not entitled to the heraldic elements can wear a crest badge surrounded by a strap and buckle, which represents that the wearer is a follower of the individual who owns the crest and motto.
Individuals who pledge allegiance to a clan, become members of that clan, unless the clan chief refuses them.
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.
Author Resource:
Anna Murray has be with Edinburgh's Scotland Kilt Company for over a year, contact this family run company for all your highlandwear needs
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")