Maxwell Crest Ring

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Well you certainly would not be breaking any laws wearing this ring in the US, though if you were to wear it in Scotland you would be -- and people are still prosecuted for heraldic matters in Scotland today, Lord Lyon having legal authority in the matter. Someone would, of course, have to notice it and raise an issue about it. I imagine if one were to run into the Maxwell clan chief he would first politely ask you to stop displaying his personal crest as if it were yours, and only if you persistently refused would he bother to press charges. However, since there currently is no living Maxwell chief, I'd be surprised if anyone raised an issue about it.

Nevertheless, if you desire to follow heraldic protocol you would display the crest of your chief encircled in the belt and buckle. The crest is an heraldic item which signifies a particular individual -- not a family. The belt and buckle signify that this is not your personal crest, but you are displaying it as a sign of allegiance to the person represented by the crest.

An armiger is someone who has his own personal heraldic arms (and perhaps a crest, as well, though not necessarily). If you had your own personal arms, then of course you would be free to display them however you choose.

The Lord Lyon's web site I linked to previously is a good source of information. Another is the web site of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.
http://www.clanchiefs.org/category/heraldry/