Posted by Maris on 7th Aug 2023

10 more Scottish clan mottos and their meanings, including crests and feuds

Hundreds of clans have left their influence on Scottish history, and we’ve compiled a list of ten to give you an idea of where they came from.

A clan is a group of people who share a surname and have played an important role in Scottish history over the centuries.

If you’re familiar with Scottish clans, you’ll know that there are hundreds of them, each with its own intriguing history.

From Clan Scott in the Scottish Borders to Clan Ross in the Highlands, we’ve looked at ten more of Scotland’s most famous clans.

Continue reading to learn about their mottos, crests, and beginnings.

Clan Stewart

Region: Renfrewshire, Teviotdale and Lauderdale
Motto: Virescit vulnere virtus (Courage grows strong at a wound)
Crest: A pelican argent, winged, feeding her young in the nest

Clan Stewart is distinct in that it lacks a Clan Chief recognized by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. As a result, individual branches of the clan have their own chiefs.

Clan Mackay

Region: Strathnaver
Motto: Manu forti (With a strong hand)
Crest: A dagger held erect

During the Scottish Wars of Independence, this old and once-powerful Highland clan backed Robert the Bruce. During the Jacobite uprisings of the 18th century, however, they sided with the British government and fought against the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden.

Clan Scott

Region: Scottish Borders
Motto: Amo (I love)
Crest: A stag trippant

Clan Scott is one of the most prominent Borders clans, named after the Scots who invaded Dalriada from Ireland. “‘a Bellendaine” (“To Bellendaine”) is their battle cry.

Clan Walker

Region: Knapdale, Argyll and Bute
Motto: Cura Et Industria (Care and industry)
Crest: A cornucopia

Clan Walker gets its name from the Scots term ‘Waulker,’ which means a textile worker. Its origins can be traced back to Northumbria, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom.

Clan Ross

Region: Ross
Motto: Spem Successus Alit (Success Nourishes Hope)
Crest: A dexter hand holding a garland of laurel

Clan Ross is a Highland clan named after the ancient Celtic earldom of Ross. The clan is deeply associated with the old Celtic church, having a bloodline that dates back to the original Celtic people.

Clan Murray

Region: Highlands and Lowlands
Motto: Furth fortune and fill the fetters
Crest: A demi-savage wreathed around the waist and head, holding a dagger and a key

Clan Murray gets its name from the way the region of Moray is pronounced, and it means “by the sea.” During the Wars of Scottish Independence, the clan was essential in backing William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Clan Munro

Region: Easter-Ross
Motto: Dread God
Crest: An eagle perching Proper

While the actual roots of Clan Munro are unknown, it is widely assumed that Donald Munro migrated from Ireland and established in Scotland in the 11th century. Foulis Castle in Evanton is the clan’s historic seat.

Clan Bell

Region: Borders
Motto: Signum Pacis Amor (Love is the token of peace)
Crest: A hand holding a dagger

Clan Bell’s name is said to stem from the French word ‘Bel,’ which meaning “fair or handsome.” They rose to prominence as Border Reivers – raiders along the Anglo-Scottish border — while also being strong associates of the Douglases.

Clan Wallace

Region: Ayrshire and Renfrewshire
Motto: Pro libertate (For liberty)
Crest: Issuant from a crest coronet, a dexter arm, in armour, embowed, in hand a sword

Clan Wallace’s name is said to stem from the Old French term waleis, which means “welshman,” as made famous by William Wallace. Their ancestors came from Normandy, but they eventually settled in the Scottish Lowlands.

Clan Keith

Region: East Lothian, Aberdeenshire, and Caithness
Motto: Veritas Vincit (Truth conquers)
Crest: Out of a crest coronet, a roebuck’s head

Clan Keith draws its name from the estates of Keith in West Lothian, and was historically regarded as one of the more strong Scottish clans. They are well-known for their numerous feuds with the nearby Clan Irvine.