Quote Originally Posted by fortcollinsjerry View Post
As a Crawford, I am a Sept of Clan Lindsay. It's noted on the Clan Lindsay web site that the Lindsay Coat of Arms is the exclusive property of a Lord Crawford and only members of his family may wear the Coat. I'm confused and need edification.

1. As a Crawford may I wear the Arms or must I ask The Lords permission?

2. Who is the Lord and where does he live? Would he think me presumptuous to ask? I don't know Scottish social rules.
Hello!

You may not wear or use the armorial bearings of Lord Crawford. In Scotland, grants of arms from the Lord Lyon King of Arms are made to individuals and become their property, to be used by them, and them alone. There is no such thing in Scotland as a "family coat of arms," or even a Clan coat of arms. The arms belong to an individual. The chief of a clan's arms are his. A clansman, though, enjoys the privilege of wearing the chief's crest (the part of the achievement above the helmet usually) within a buckle and strap, which signifies that the clansman is a follower of the owner of the crest.

There are a great number of resources available to you to learn more about the fascinating science of Scots heraldry:
1. The Heraldry Society of Scotland
http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/
2. The Society of Scottish Armigers
http://www.scotarmigers.net/

Kind regards,
Sandford MacLean