MacLennan of MacLennan
Coat of Arms
A Scottish Coat of Arms is an official design created and registered with the Lord Lyons. Lord Lyons is an appointed official who decides who should be allowed to have a Coat of Arms and what that Coat of Arms should look like. His office has an official record of every coat of Arms granted in Scotland since 1672 - 335 years! Only people who live in Scotland or have parents/family from Scotland and can provide proof can request their own Coat of Arms.
A Coat of Arms was originally a jacket, tunic or tabard worn by Knights in medieval times - possibly to identify himself in battle since he was covered by armor. Nowadays a Coat of Arms means all the parts of an “Achievement” put together to create the Coat of Arms. Parts of an “Achievement” are the shield, helmet, mantling, wreath, crest, motto and sometimes supporters and other decorations.
A Coat of Arms belongs to only one person, the person who applied to Lord Lyons for that Coat of Arms or who inherited the Coat of Arms. The MacLennan of MacLennan Coat of Arms above belongs to MacLennan Clan Chief Ruairidh MacLennan and he inherited it from his father Ronald when he died. The Coat Of Arms does not belong to Clan MacLennan and no one but Ruairidh may wear or display that Coat of Arms and to do so is breaking the enforceable laws of Scotland.
What MacLennan Clansmen may wear is the Crest which is the upper portion of the “Achievement” - anything above the helmet. This is typically the Chiefs Crest encircled with a strap and buckle bearing the Chief s Motto. The strap and buckle is the sign of a clansman, and he demonstrates his membership of his Chiefs Clan by wearing his Chiefs Crest within it.
Your favorite Coat of Arms
As you walk around a Festival, watch a parade or look at a book or get on the internet, look at the Coat of Arms of other Clans and find a favorite. Draw it and then tell us why it’s your favorite. Is it the design, the colors, the shapes? What makes it cool in your eyes? What Clan does it belong to?
Send us your picture!
Crest
(Everything Above The Helmet)
The Crest is another part of the Achievement and the Coat Of Arms and included everything above the Helmet. So on the MacLennan of MacLennan Crest that would include the Wreath which in usually Red and Gold, the Demi Piper (½ of a man) who is wearing the MacLennan Tartan and the Motto - and all of this is worn an a Strap and Buckle made out of some type of metal which makes up the Crest pin that you see many MacLennans wearing as a pin. The Crest is also what can be printed or sewn onto a cap, shirt or bag to look cool.
Versions Of The Clan MacLennan Crest
Now draw your own design of a Crest for your family! Tell us about your design and send a copy to us for a prize!
