Assumed Arms

[David Thorpe]

It looks very well thougth out. What was your reasoning behind the different elements that you chose, if you don't mind my asking. It is always interesting to know how/why a person chose what they did to represent themself.

Thank you, sir.
The colors and the engrailed chief are from the ancient MacTavish of Dunardry arms of my direct paternal ancestors. The oak tree symbolizes strength, and is eradicated (uprooted) to honor my fourth great grandfather who was forced to leave Scotland following the '45. He is also the source of our family surname, having changed his upon arrival in indenture to the (then) Crown Colony of Savannah, Georgia. The cedar branches represent our family's long-term presence in the Eastern US. The seven argent stars are the seven generations since our ancestor Angus MacTavish was killed while fighting for the Jacobite cause with Colonel Anne's regiment at Culloden.

Probably more information than you wanted, but there it is.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

When kilted, I will continue to proudly and happily wear the retainer's cap badge of my Chief's arms.

The blazon:

Arms: Argent, an oak tree eradicated and acorned proper, on a chief engrailed azure seven novae argent.
Crest: On a torse of the liveries, a bear's head couped proper between two branches of Eastern Red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana) proper.
Motto: “In Vi Gnaritatis Libertas” (In the strength of knowledge, freedom)

Attachment 9135

David--- first, let me congratulate you, Slacker Drummer, and Harold Cannon, on having collaborated to create a superb achievement.

Generally speaking oak trees bearing acorns are usually described as "fruited proper" or "fructed proper", (the acorn being the heraldic "fruit" of the oak). I am not 100% certain that describing the charges on the chief as "novae" is necessarily the best choice. I think blazoning this devise as "an estoile of four, quadrat in the center" or (perhaps) a "quadrate fitchee at all points", is less ambiguous; a third option might be "a cross fitchee, quadrat in the center".

Those minor quibbles aside, I think your arms are absolutely ace!

Scott
MoR

[WVHighlander]

Absolutely awesome...great job! If interested in getting them registered, I would encourage you to check out South Africa. They were more than helpful, easy to work with, and their final artwork is incredible. The end result is an heirloom you can pass on to your kids..

[David Thorpe]

David--- first, let me congratulate you, Slacker Drummer, and Harold Cannon, on having collaborated to create a superb achievement.

Generally speaking oak trees bearing acorns are usually described as "fruited proper" or "fructed proper", (the acorn being the heraldic "fruit" of the oak). I am not 100% certain that describing the charges on the chief as "novae" is necessarily the best choice. I think blazoning this devise as "an estoile of four, quadrat in the center" or (perhaps) a "quadrate fitchee at all points", is less ambiguous; a third option might be "a cross fitchee, quadrat in the center".

Those minor quibbles aside, I think your arms are absolutely ace!

Scott
MoR

Thank you, Scott. We had a long discussion over on the AHS forum about "novae" versus "eight-pointed stars" versus other labels.

[David Thorpe]

Absolutely awesome...great job! If interested in getting them registered, I would encourage you to check out South Africa. They were more than helpful, easy to work with, and their final artwork is incredible. The end result is an heirloom you can pass on to your kids..

Thank you, sir. I will keep that in mind. BTW, we are planning on going back to Bridgeport again this May - one of the nicest Highland Games we have attended. Might we see you there?

[Standard]

Thank you, sir.
The colors and the engrailed chief are from the ancient MacTavish of Dunardry arms of my direct paternal ancestors. The oak tree symbolizes strength, and is eradicated (uprooted) to honor my fourth great grandfather who was forced to leave Scotland following the '45. He is also the source of our family surname, having changed his upon arrival in indenture to the (then) Crown Colony of Savannah, Georgia. The cedar branches represent our family's long-term presence in the Eastern US. The seven argent stars are the seven generations since our ancestor Angus MacTavish was killed while fighting for the Jacobite cause with Colonel Anne's regiment at Culloden.

Probably more information than you wanted, but there it is.

Very interesting David. You did indeed put much thought in to this, and it definately has meaning to you, and I'm sure you will pass on this information and family heritage to the next generation. Isn't this afterall one of the important aspects of the arms to define to others who we are?

[WVHighlander]

You never know. However, being the new Clan Commissioner here in NC I need to hit some of these games here.

[Joseph McMillan]

What would be the point of registering the arms in South Africa unless David plans to use them in South Africa?

[WVHighlander]

David most assuredly could do the American College or the various other American entities, and the American College is less expensive. The biggest reason for me was S. Africa's Bureau is officially recognized by the government and abroad. Additionally, S. Africa helped with the design of my arms. Also of note, I tried contacting the American College on several occasions and never received word back.

[creagdhubh]

Congratulations, David. And well done to all those involved.

Slainte,