Clan Crests

**millar** · 25th May 06, 08:30 AM

"A "clan crest" (more correctly a "chief's crest") is the crest of the Chief of the Clan, inside a buckle and strap, and usually displayed with a motto or slogan. The crest is the very top part of a coat-of-arms, usually above the helm and wreath."

I took this off of another post and now can't remember who to atribute it to, sorry. but just wondered, does anyone know the origins of the buckle and strap part of a clan crest? What is the significance of the buckle and strap?
Cheers
Jim

**macwilkin** · 25th May 06, 08:53 AM

Moved thread to our Heraldry & Tartans sub-section. :mrgreen:

"A "clan crest" (more correctly a "chief's crest") is the crest of the Chief of the Clan, inside a buckle and strap, and usually displayed with a motto or slogan. The crest is the very top part of a coat-of-arms, usually above the helm and wreath."

I took this off of another post and now can't remember who to atribute it to, sorry. but just wondered, does anyone know the origins of the buckle and strap part of a clan crest? What is the significance of the buckle and strap?
Cheers
Jim

That would be me, Jim.

A good discussion of the Chief's Crest Badge, along with other crests in Scottish Heraldry, can be found on the Society of Scottish Arimger's web site:

http://www.scotarmigers.net/leaflet2.htm

I don't have any of my heraldry books with me at work, particularly Mark Dennis's Scottish Heraldry, published by the Heraldry Society of Scotland, but I will look tonight.

Basically, the buckle and strap designates the wearer of the badge as a clansman (or clanswoman). Arimgers, those who have their own coat-of-arms, do not wear badges with a buckle and strap.

The buckler is similar to the English Order of the Garter, but as the literature from the Lord Lyon states, they are not the same thing.

Cheers,

Todd