An Armiger is a member of the Armorial Noblesse of Scotland, an embodiment of
the living survival of the old medieval realm. Armigers perpetuate the
organization, traditions and concepts of the old clan or family organization of
the kingdom. As such they are of immense interest and value to those of Scottish
descent in North America, especially at all Scottish
games, gatherings and social events, where their use of heraldry maintains
tradition - pride in, and loyalty to the family, and to the chief, who
represents the family.
Every Scottish Armiger has been
recognized by Lyon Court in Scotland and has been granted “Ensigns Armorial”,
their individual “monomark” or coat of arms. The Scottish system of armorial
differencing distinguish chief, chieftains, and cadets of each such noble and
organized name on scientific lines in order to give practical identification to
the various lines of the family and to prevent cadets from assuming arms
inconsistent with their actual position in the family tree. This splendid
scientific system of individual differencing has been carried on in Scotland
from the Middle Ages to the present time. The basic or undifferenced arms and
crest, are the property, not of the "family" but of the "Chief".
A coat of arms is the outward
indication of nobility (Edmondson, Complete Body of Heraldry, p. 154), and arms
are officially described as "Ensigns of Nobility". (Nisbet's Heraldry, iii, ii,
65) A patent of arms is a Diploma of Nobility. (Sir Thomas Innes of Learney,
Scots Heraldry, p. 20).
Despite the popularity of recent
merchandising campaigns, there is no such thing as a Scots "Family" coat of arms
or crest. Since a coat of arms is a monomark (mono = one) ownership of an arms
pertains to one individual and is the individual mark identifying that
individual, it is strictly not open to anyone else of the same surname. If you
use the arms of someone else you are usurping arms. If you make up your own arms
you are using assumed arms. In Scotland, in both cases you are committing an
offence and may be charged and tried in the Lord Lyons Court which is a court of
law. Scots Heraldry is one of the most tightly controlled in the world, one of
the few countries where heraldry is protected by law. That law is still strictly
enforced in Scotland. Prosecution of offenders is conducted entirely at the
expense of the Crown, and the owners of arms invoke it very freely and at no
cost to themselves.
Legitimate Arms for citizens of the
monarchies of the (British) Commonwealth are heraldic devices which have been
granted or registered by the Kings of Arms in England, the Lord Lyon King of
Arms in Scotland or the Chief Herald of Canada, and to which an individual has a
right of use.
Assumed Arms are heraldic devices
which have been adopted by the user as an identifying symbol without the warrant
of a legitimate heraldic authority but which are not the property of another.
Usurped Arms are heraldic devices which are not the property of the user nor to
which he has a recognized right but are the property of some other individual or
institution. Assumed or usurped Arms have no place at Scottish events and indeed
debase the splendid traditions of the old medieval realm and subject the user to
scorn and ridicule.
Heraldry is the machinery for
operating The Family - the most important community-organization in the world;
and Scottish heraldry is the most scientifically perfected heraldic system for
that purpose, because it came under statutory-control and administration.
Heraldry appeared in the 12th century as a form of identification. It appeared
when visors were added to helmets making it difficult or impossible to recognize
individuals. A design was placed on the shield as a means of identification.
This system would only work if the design was unique to that individual. If two
persons could have the same design there would be a confusion similar to that
which would occur if two or more hockey players had the same number on their
sweaters. This principal has been maintained in the heraldry of Scotland and of
Canada. European and English heraldry is not so pure."
To be strong the family must use
heraldry. Chiefs, lairds, and chieftains - and the duaine-uasal gentlemen of the
family, should also assiduously and carefully use heraldry. It maintains
tradition - pride in, and loyalty to the family, and to the chief, who
represents the family. The chief, chieftains and duine-uasal, use their arms on
notepaper, invitation cards, marriage and other invitations, and on Christmas
cards. Thus is "The Family" made a living and functioning entity, whose
existence, embodied in the chief, is ever before its members with the
inspiration of tradition, heraldic color, and sense of unity and strength, and
so kept steadfastly before its children. Heraldry should therefore be used
lavishly, as color with a purpose, the symbol of the noble patriarchate, and the
glory and strength of a well-knit house and clan.