The following is a list of Scottish clans (with and without chiefs) – including, when known, their heraldic crest badges, tartans, mottoes, and other information.
The crest badges used by members of Scottish clans are based upon armorial bearings recorded by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland. The blazon of the heraldic crest is given, and the heraldic motto with its translation into English. While all the crest badges of the clan names listed are recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, only about one half of these (about 140) have a clan chief who is acknowledged by the Lord Lyon King of Arms as the rightful claimant of the undifferenced arms upon which the crest badges are based.
Scottish crest badges are heraldic badges used by members of Scottish clans to show their allegiance to a specific clan or clan chief. Even though they are commonly used by clan members, the heraldic crest and motto within the crest badge belong only to the clan chief – never the clan member. A Scottish clan member's crest badge is made up of a heraldic crest, encircled by a strap and buckle which contains a heraldic motto. In most cases, both crest and motto are derived from the crest and motto of the chief's coat of arms. Crest badges intended for wear as cap badges are commonly made of silver or some other metal such as pewter. In the case of armigers they wear their own crest within a plain circlet showing their own motto or slogan, not a belt and buckle showing the chief's. Women may wear a crest badge as a brooch to pin a sash of their clan tartan at the right shoulder of their gown or blouse. Female clan chiefs, chieftains, or the wives of clan chiefs normally wear a tartan sash pinned at their left shoulder.
Today, Scottish crest badges are commonly used by members of Scottish clans. However, much like clan tartans, Scottish crest badges do not have a long history, and owe much to Victorian era romanticism, and the dress of the Highland regiments.Adam & Innes of Learney (1970), p. 136. Scottish crest badges have only been worn by clan members on the bonnet since the 19th century.Campbell of Airds (2000), pp. 289–290.
Clan name Crest badge Clan tartanBlazon of crest & motto within crest badge; war cry and plant badgeClan chief;and clan seat, or historical seatNotesAbercrombyCrest: A falcon rising belled Proper. Motto: [Latin, 'He seeks high deeds'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Abercrombie, FifeAbernethyCrest: A raven sable, beaked and membered gules. Motto: [Latin, 'Salvation through Christ'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Abernethy, Perth and KinrossAdairCrest: A man's head couped and bloody. Motto: [French, 'Loyal unto death'] Chief: none, armigerous clanThe crest and motto are derived from the arms of Adair of Kinhilt.AdamCrest: A cross crosslet fitchée gules surmounted by a sword in saltire Proper Motto: [Latin, 'The cross gives me welcome rest'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Blair Adam, estate in Kinross-shireAgnewCrest: An eagle issuant and reguardant Proper. Motto: [Latin, 'By wisdom not force']Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 40.Chief: Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw, 11th Baronet Seat: Lochnaw Castle, Dumfries and GallowayAikenheadCrest: A demi-savage holding in his dexter hand three laurel slips fructed Proper Motto: [Latin, 'We are born in a weak condition'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Aikenhead, LanarkshireAinslieCrest: Issuing out of a cap of maintenance a naked arm embowed grasping a scymitar all Proper Motto: [Latin, 'For country often, for king always'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Dolphinstone Castle (ruin), JedburghAitonCrest: A hand pulling a rose Proper Motto: [Latin, 'Roses plucked will give sweet smell'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Ayton, BerwickshireAllardiceCrest: A demi-savage holding in the dexter hand a scimitar all Proper Motto: In defence of the distressed Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Allardice Castle, Kincardineshire Wear Graham as set of that clan.AndersonCrest: An oak tree Proper.{Lyon Court Records 1673/5: Book 1, folio 239 as recorded for James Anderson of Westerairdbreck and also grant by Lord Lyon 20 March 1992 book 73, folio 78: to David Alexander Richard Waterton-Anderson, a descendant of the original grantee} Motto: Stand sure, as witnessed by armorial stones at Westerton, Banffshire dated 1664 and Botriphnie dated 1671; also by grant of Lord Lyon 20 March 1992 book 73, folio 78 to David Alexander Richard Waterton-Anderson. Chief: none, armigerous clanThis motto has been used by the leading house of Andersons from at least 1664 and adopted for use as a clan member's crest badgeAnstrutherCrest: Two arms in armour holding a pole-axe with both hands gauntleted Proper. Motto: [Latin, 'I would have perished had I not persisted']Chief: Tobias Anstruther of that Ilk Seat: Balcaskie House, FifeIn note No. 12 of Waverley, Sir Walter Scott, while discussing canting of arms in heraldry wrote, "The of the Anstruthers is liable to a similar objection. One of that ancient race, finding that an antagonist, with whom he had fixed a friendly meeting, was determined to take the opportunity of assassinating him, prevented the hazard by dashing out his brains with a battle-axe. Two sturdy arms, brandishing such a weapon, form the usual crest of the family, with the above motto, —'I had died, unless I had gone through with it.Pine (1983), p. 173.ArbuthnottCrest: A peacock's head couped at the neck Proper.Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 42. Motto: [Latin, 'Praise God']Chief: Keith Arbuthnott 17th Viscount of Arbuthnott Seat: Arbuthnott House, Arbuthnott, AberdeenshireArmstrongCrest: An arm from the shoulder, armed Proper.Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 44. Motto: [Latin, 'I remain unvanquished'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Gilnockie Tower, Dumfries and GallowayArnott Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Arnott, Portmoak in Kinross-shireArthurCrest: Two laurel branches in orle Proper. Motto: [Latin, 'By fidelity and labour']Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 162. Plant badge: wild myrtle (bog myrtle), or fir club mossChief: John Alexander MacArthur of that Ilk Seat: Castle Kennedy House, Castle Kennedy, WigtownshireAuchinleckCrest: An ear of rye Proper Motto: [Latin, 'What is useful is valuable'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: AuchinleckBaillieCrest: A boar's head erased Proper. Motto: [Latin, 'What is brighter than the stars'] Chief: none, armigerous clanBairdCrest: A gryphon's head erased Proper.Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 46. Motto: [Latin, 'The Lord has done this'] Chief: noneIn August 2019 Sir James Baird, 11th Bt. of Saughtonhall petitioned for the Chiefship. Petition under review as of Summer 2021. Also in August 2019 Richard Holman Baird was commissioned commander to serve a term up to 5 years.BalfourCrest: A dexter arm in armour erect the hand holding a baton in bend gules tipped argent Motto: [Scots, 'Forward'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Burleigh CastleBannatyneCrest: A demi griffin, in his dexter paw a sword erect Proper. Motto: [Latin, 'Neither fast nor slow'] Chief: none, armigerous clanBannermanCrest: A demi man in armour holding in his right hand a sword Proper. Motto: [Latin, 'For my country']Pine (1983), p. 182.Chief: David Gordon Bannerman of Elsick, 15th BaronetThe ancestors of the Bannermans were hereditary banner-bearers to the kings of Scotland.Barclay Crest: (On a chapeau doubled ermine) a hand holding a dagger Proper.Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 48. Motto: [Latin, 'Either to do or die']Chief: Peter Barclay of Towie Barclay and of that Ilk Seat: Towie Barclay Castle, AberdeenshireBaxterCrest: A lion rampant guardant sable Motto: [Latin, 'Truth prevails'] Chief: none, armigerous clanBellCrest: Viz. azure, three bells, the crest, a hand holding a dagger, paleways proper, with the motto, "I beir the bel." Motto: I beir the bel Chief: in the process, armigerous clan. Seat: MiddlebieBelshesCrest: A greyhound's head couped argent collared azure. Motto: [Latin, 'Virtue shines unstained'] Chief: none, armigerous clanBethuneCrest: An otter's head erased argent. Motto: [French, 'Gracious'] Chief: none, armigerous clanBeveridgeCrest: Out of a mural crown Or a demi beaver Proper Motto: [Latin, 'By persevering'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Brucefield, estate in FifeBinning Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Barony of Binning, in the parish of Uphall, West LothianBissettCrest: The trunk of an oak tree sprouting afresh Proper Motto: [Latin, 'That torn down regrows'] Chief: none, armigerous clanThe chiefly line is thought to be Bisset of Lessendrum.Blackadder Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Old Tulliallan Castle, Kincardine, FifeBlackstock Chief: none, armigerous clanBlairCrest: A stag lodged Proper Motto: [Latin, 'I love the virtuous'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Blair, AyrshireBlaneCrest: The sword of Justice paleways Proper Motto: [Latin, 'Peace or war'] Chief: none, armigerous clanBlyth Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: LauderdaleBorthwickCrest: A moor's head couped Proper wreathed argent and sable.Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 50. Motto: [Latin, 'He who leads']Chief: John Hugh Borthwick of that Ilk, 24th Lord Borthwick Seat: Borthwick Castle, LothianBoswellCrest: A falcon Proper, hooded gules, jessed and belled Or Motto: [Middle French, 'True faith'] Chief: none, armigerous clanBoydCrest: A dexter hand erect and pale having the outer fingers bowed inwards.Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 52. Motto: [Latin, 'I trust']Chief: Robin Jordan Boyd, 8th Baron Kilmarnock Seat: Dean Castle, AyrshireAlastair Boyd, 7th Baron Kilmarnock died 19 March 2009, but references continue to list him as Chief: see Burks, Standing council, and only House of Boyd aka Clan Boyd has updated information regarding their Chief Boyd clan web siteBoyleCrest: A double headed eagle displayed, parted per pale embattled gules and argent. Motto: [Latin, 'The Lord will provide']Chief: Patrick Robin Archibald Boyle, 10th Earl of Glasgow Seat: Kelburn Castle, North AyrshireBrisbaneCrest: A stork's head erased holding in her beak a serpent nowed Proper Motto: [Latin, 'God will give repose'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Killincraig, Largs, North AyrshireBrodieCrest: A right hand holding a bunch of arrows all Proper.Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 54. Motto: Unite Plant badge: periwinkleAdam; Innes of Learney (1970), pp. 541–543.Chief: Alexander Tristan Duff Brodie of Brodie Seat: Brodie Castle, MorayshireBrounCrest: A lion rampant, holding in the dexter paw a fleur de lis Or Floreat magestas (Let majesty flourish) Motto: [Latin, 'Let majesty flourish']Chief: Sir Wayne Broun of Coultson, Bt. Seat: Colstoun House, East LothianBruceCrest: A lion stantan azure armed and langued gules.Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 56. Motto: [Latin, 'We have been'] Plant badge: rosemaryChief: Andrew Douglas Alexander Thomas Bruce, 11th Earl of Elgin Seat: Broomhall House, DunfermlineBuchanCrest: (upon a chapeau gules furred ermine) A sun shining upon a sunflower full blown Proper. Motto: [Latin, 'Not having followed mean pursuits']Chief: David Buchan of Auchmacoy Seat: Auchmacoy House, AberdeenshireBuchanan Crest: A dexter hand holding up a ducal cap (Proper), tufted on the top with a rose gules, within two laurel branches in orle (also Proper).Way of Plean; Squire (2000), p. 58. Motto: [Latin, 'Hence the brighter honour'] Plant badge: bilberry (blaeberry), oak, or birchChief: John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan of that Ilk and of Arnprior. Seat: Cambusmore House, Callander, StirlingshireLord Lyon, King of Arms, granted the petition for Chief of the Name and Arms of Buchanan in August 2018.ButterCrest: Two hands issuing from a cloud in dexter, extended to the sinister and drawing an arrow in a bow all Proper Motto: [Latin, 'God directs'] Chief: none, armigerous clan Seat: Fascally, by Pitlochry, PerthshireByresCrest: A cock reguardant Proper