Here is a reminder from the Council of Scottish Clans & Associations (COSCA) in the US regarding the use of Arms. NB the arms is the Shield. The full compliment of arms consists of the supporters, the helm, torse, mantling, crest and motto.
This organisation represents the interests of Scottish heritage societies and promotes Scottish heritage and culture through all forms of public education with the United States of America. The Clan Carruthers Society (International), as members of this organisation representing our clan and family, we receive regular updates and information from them, as such they remind us:
CLANS AND FAMILY SOCIETY COATS OF ARMS
Most clan and family societies proudly display their crests, which are based on the Coat of Arms of their current or past chief. However, the full Coats of Arms of these chiefs are the specific property of the current chief. They may not be used by any other individual or organization, without express permission.
Today, anyone can create and register his or her own personal or corporate arms. In fact at least five clan and family societies have registered their corporate arms. The first clan and family society to be granted its own Coat of Arms was the Buchanan Society of Glasgow, Scotland. This society was founded in 1725 as a charitable organization. The group successfully petitioned Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1917 for its own corporate Coat of Arms.
The first clan and family society to be granted its own Coat of Arms was the Buchanan Society of Glasgow, Scotland. This society was founded in 1725 as a charitable organization. The City of Glasgow granted a seal of Cause (charter) in 1752.
Originally, the organization used the Armorial Bearings of Buchanan of that Ilk as the arms of the Society. However, the group successfully petitioned Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1917 for its own corporate Coat of Arms. Although supporters (the falcons on either side of the shield) are not usually granted to Societies, Lord Lyon granted their use in this case.
In 1990, the Court of Lord Lyon granted the Murray Clan Society its own armorial ensign or heraldic arms. The Society arms are described on the 14th page of the 75th Volume of the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland.
In 1997, Dr. Johnnie Little, founder of the Clan Little Society of North America, secured arms for the Society. The design included four linked red rings on a gold background, representing the interlocked branches of the Society. The winged stirrup represents the prowess of the border reivers as light horsemen. The “silver” (white) St. Andrew’s Cross on a black background is common to all Border Little arms, personal or corporate.
In 1997, Dr. Johnnie Little, founder of the Clan Little Society of North America, secured arms for the Society. Also in 1997, the Clan MacNicol Federation was granted a coat of arms by The Court of the Lord Lyon. In 2006, the Court of the Lord Lyon granted corporate arms to the Clan Currie Society, also known as the Learned Kindred of Currie.
In 2012, the Clan Crawford Association was issued Letters Patent from the Court of the Lord Lyon granting a coat of arms that integrates the designs of the two main branches of the House, Crawfordjohn and Dalmagregan.
Learn more here: https://www.cosca.scot/post/clan-and-family-society-coats-of-arms
The full compliment of the Carruthers Chief’s Arms, with supporter of two fallow deer bucks rampant.
Note no unicorn nor dragon.
Within our own family, the arms of our Chief remain sacrosanct and as such cannot be changed or added too and just as importantly, they cannot be used without his permission. The arms themselves i.e. the Shield is described as ‘two chevrons engrailed between three fleurs de lis in gold on a red background’ and are copyrighted to the Carruthers Chief, in this instance Peter Carruthers of Holmains, 22nd of his line.
All officially recognised Carruthers arms are differenced at least twice from those of the Chief, following the heraldic rules in Scotland and as such they all are registered with the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh. Currently there are six living Carruthers armigers to include our Chief, although we hope for more.
Our Society has chosen not to have its own arms granted but rather to follow ancient tradition of other clansmen and women, to wear the clan crest of Carruthers consisting of the Chief’s crest encircled by a belt and buckle, on which is inscribed the Chief’s motto Promptus et Fidelis. The crest itself is a seraphim volant Proper, used by our Chief’s from the House of Holmains since before 1672, and is portrayed as; six wings, the upper and lowermost crossed in saltire, the middle pair spread as in flight and ALWAYS with an angelic face in the centre. Wear it with pride.
Any questions please contact us.
