Post Your Granted, Assumed or Desired Arms

[Cygnus]

I've been thinking about getting a tattoo like that of my family's closest scottish clan relation, but I don't know if I have to have permision to use the crest or not... I still think it would be awesome though.

I can understand your hesitation, what with clan affiliation being associated with your surname. The impression that I get from your comment is that your surname isn't one normally associated with a Scottish clan. If that is the case, find the clan to which you are most closely related and try and find the contact information for that clan's chief. You can then write a formal letter asking to be included in the clan's membership. Most of the current clan chiefs seem to be very reasonable and approachable, and I highly doubt that they would turn away a request from a relative to join their clan!

With the chief's welcome and blessing, you could then get the tattoo you want with no worries about whether or not that particular clan "accepts" you.

[creagdhubh]

I can understand your hesitation, what with clan affiliation being associated with your surname. The impression that I get from your comment is that your surname isn't one normally associated with a Scottish clan. If that is the case, find the clan to which you are most closely related and try and find the contact information for that clan's chief. You can then write a formal letter asking to be included in the clan's membership. Most of the current clan chiefs seem to be very reasonable and approachable, and I highly doubt that they would turn away a request from a relative to join their clan!

With the chief's welcome and blessing, you could then get the tattoo you want with no worries about whether or not that particular clan "accepts" you.

Well said, with some very good advice!

[Mike_Oettle]

Many thanks, Kyle, for pointing out the difference between the clan chief’s personal emblem (the crest) and the clansman’s badge (the crest within a strap and buckle).
Time and again I see that people trip over the distinction.
But I should also mention that for people not resident in Scotland, there is no need for them to obtain a grant from Lord Lyon.
In Scotland, Lyon has the power to deface irregular arms.
It is, however, preferable that arms be registered with some authority (even if it is a private association in the US), simply to ensure that they are in fact unique.
Regards,
Mike

[creagdhubh]

Many thanks, Kyle, for pointing out the difference between the clan chief’s personal emblem (the crest) and the clansman’s badge (the crest within a strap and buckle).
Time and again I see that people trip over the distinction.
But I should also mention that for people not resident in Scotland, there is no need for them to obtain a grant from Lord Lyon.
In Scotland, Lyon has the power to deface irregular arms.
It is, however, preferable that arms be registered with some authority (even if it is a private association in the US), simply to ensure that they are in fact unique.
Regards,
Mike

Very true Mike!