Slogan (heraldry) facts for kids

A slogan in Scottish heraldry is like a special motto, or sometimes a second motto. You usually see it above the crest on a coat of arms. Sometimes, it can also appear as a second motto below the shield. The word "slogan" comes from 1513 and is a changed version of "slogorn." This word came from the Scottish Gaelic "sluagh-ghairm," which means "army cry" (sluagh means "army" and gairm means "cry"). In other places, these are called "war-cries."

The slogan CREAG AN TUIRC appears on the crest badge of a member of Clan MacLaren.

Arms of Brady Brim-DeForest, Baron of Balvaird with the motto above the crest and war cry or slogan below.

The Story Behind Slogans

Slogans used in heraldry (the study of coats of arms and symbols) have different possible beginnings. Many of them might have started as battle cries or war cries. A battle cry was a shout or phrase used by soldiers to encourage each other and identify themselves in battle.

Some famous heraldic mottoes are believed to have come from war cries. For example, the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom has the motto DIEU ET MON DROIT ("God and my right"). This is thought to have been a war cry. Another example is MONTJOYE SAINT-DENIS, which was on the old French coat of arms. This motto refers to the oriflamme, a special royal banner kept in a church called the Basilique Saint-Denis.

Some mottoes in Irish heraldry that end in "a boo" are also thought to be old war cries. For instance, the Fitzgerald earls of Leinster used CROM A BOO. The Fitzgerald earls of Desmond used SHANET A BOO.

Different Kinds of Slogans

Not all slogans are based on war cries. Many slogans for Scottish clan chiefs have been officially recorded more recently. These are registered at the Court of the Lord Lyon, which is the official authority for heraldry in Scotland.

Sometimes, a slogan is simply a name, like A HOME A HOME A HOME for the Homes. Other slogans refer to a meeting place for the clan, like CRUACHAN for the Campbells. Some slogans mention an important clan member, such as the Maclean slogan Fear eile airson Eachuinn ("Another for Hector").

In at least one case, a patron saint is used as a slogan, like St Bennet and Set On for the Setons. The Grant family uses two slogans: CRAIG ELACHAIDH, which is above their crest, and STANDFAST, which is below their shield.

Sometimes, a clan chief's slogan appears on their crest badge. This means clan members can also wear it. The chief's slogan can also be found on their standard, guidon, and pinsel (types of flags).

Official Clan Slogans

     Slogans officially recorded at the Court of the Lord Lyon as part of the chief's Arms. Also written in all capital letters.