Scottish crest... is this correct.... (scotland)?

Question

I asked an online shop that sold scottish items which ones were for me

Q: My last name is just "Donald" not anything else so what crests and kilts

are for me?

A: You are part of MacDonald, which means son of Donald. So your tartan, clan and crest is

MacDonald.

A: I was thinking about getting a clan crest badge and it was showing two types

which were "MacDonald of the Isle" and "MacDonald of Clanranald". whats

the difference and are the MacDonalds that live in a certain area can only

have the "MacDonald of the Isle" clan crest badge and the other MacDonalds

that live in another area can only get the "MacDonald of Clanranald" clan

crest badge?

Q: It is up to the area your family originated from. The Macdonald of the Isles

were west coast and the islands on the west of Scotland. The Clanranald

lands are slightly further south but still west coast and Islands.

Are the answers correct and can someone tell me more about this subject.

Answer 1

If your last name is Donald, you wouldn't be the MacDonald of the Isles.  I'd suggest a generic badge or kilt rather than a more specific one for now.  This lack of evidence, for now, should compel you on your search for your family's history--a research project that never ends as you keep hunting for missing ancestors.

Sometimes genealogical researchers have to make educated guesses along the way that may--or may not be eventually verified.  For example, my paternal grandmother's mother's maiden name was Susan McDonald, the daughter of William Thomas McDonald and Mary Rhea Beavers; however, I can trace her lineage no further back than her grandparents,  an Archibald McDonald and Margaret Duncan of North Carolina who eventually made their way to Van Zandt County, Texas.

Since Archie was born in Moore County, I can probably make an educated guess that his parents were from the Isle of Skye, based on the research I have done, but I have no evidence to back up this idea.  Last November, I joined Clan Donald, and when I have time, I plan to submit my family history to the clan genealogist.  I've already done this on the other side of the family for the family history of the  Macquarries (or McQuerrys), who emigrated from Kentucky to Texas in 1855, and comparing notes with other Macquarrie descendants really helped a lot.  I've traced that line to a John Macquarrie who was transported to the American Colonies after he was captured following the Battle of Culloden.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as a family crest. A crest is part of a coat of arms.   Please see the links below, one regarding Scottish coats of arms, one from the British College of Arms and one from the most prestigious genealogical organization in the U. S.  

Now a clan badge is not the same thing as a coat of arms.  However, the badge is not a crest. A crest is the 3 dimension figure at the top of the helm on a coat of arms.

http://www.bothwell.cx/arms.shtml

http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Faq.ht...

http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/comconsumerp...

Answer 3

EXTRACT FROM THE COLLEGE OF ARMS site.

The apparently quite widespread, but new, belief that everyone has a clan, and can wear some specific tartan or display a clan badge, is quite erroneous. Only those of Scottish descent can be associated with a clan in any way. The clan system is an entirely Scottish phenomenon, and consists of a few groups of families, centred on old and historically prominent families, with other associated families (some of the same name as the principal lineage, but many not). To count as a clan, with a chief, these groups need to be recognized as such by the chief Scottish herald, the Lord Lyon King of Arms. This leads on to the second point, which is that it is Lord Lyon, and not the English College of Arms, who has authority and responsibility over matters relating to clans.

The display of arms by persons not entitled to them can be, and has been, challenged through the Civil Court of ANY country, in much the same way as registered trade marks and trade names.

Here is a link to the official Clan Donald site

http://www.clandonald.org.uk/

and

http://www.macdonald.com/clan.html

Answer 4

First I could be considered to be an expert on this subject.  I am a convener for Clan Donald, USA and as a result an officer of the Clan (Mac Donald)  Donald was orginally spelled Mac Domhnaill or Mac Donald.  In the Southern lands of Clan Donald, the name was changed to Donaldson and further change yielded Donalds, and Donald.  I am a Donaldson.  Our Clan Crest could be MacDonald of Glencoe, Mac Donald of Islay Or Donneveg or the Glens.  Any of these would be correct.  However, the MacDonald of MacDonald, who is the final arbitrator of these matters has declared that any Donald may wear any of the 42 tartans (and up to 8 variations of them) that they may choose, save only Mac Donald Lord of the Isles Hunting Green-that can only be worn with his permission and is usually granted to members of the Clan.  As far as Crests go.  The Most common is simply MacDonald.  Followed by MacDonald of Clan Reynald, Keppoch, Slate.  Glencoe, Antrium and other houses of Clan Donald, although having crests, they are not usually available for sale by vendors.  I know as I have been hunting for Mac Donald of Glencoe to match the tartan of my kilt.  To be safe in this you might want to use the "generic" tartan and crest.  These are simply known as MacDonald.  Crest called MacDonald of the Isles is also appropriate.  Clan Reynald is a house of Clan Donald and is located on the mainland of Scotland.  Your surname is not associated with Reynald, but you can use that crest if you desire.  It is basically up to you per the MacDonald's statements in this matter.  If you are not a member of Clan Donald, I would like to invite you to join.  More of your questions can be answered via membership, than I can on this media.  I can also answer the questions if you e-mail me concerning this.  Please feel free to check out Clan Donald at their website at www.clan-donald-usa.org  It has the basic history of the Clan there and can answer many of these questions and concerns that you have as well as put you in touch with the Clan itself.

I missed the part where you live in Australia, here is the link for Clan Donald of Australia.  BTW, the Lord Lyon does award the crests to the Clan Chiefs-however a Clansman may wear the crest inside of a looped belt-this shows loyalty to the clan/chief and is the only allowable way for a clansman to wear the crest.

The website for Australia is www.clandonaldaustralia.com

Answer 5

The Clan badges and tartan heraldic authority for Scotland is the Lord Lyon King of Arms.

Contact address: The Court of the Lord Lyon, H.M. New Register House, Edinburgh EH1 3YT.  Tel: [phone].  

Wikipedia says: "...the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland will likewise develop devisals for persons of Scottish descent.".

In the US there are no laws governing the use of crests or tartans. Americans can wear whatever they wish. You may wish to do some research for proper decorum's sake. If you are a member of a clan you may use the clan crest.

Heraldry research (Donald/MacDonald):

Burke's General Armory:

Donald (Conheath, County Dumfries). Or, an eagle displayed gules armed and membered sable charged on the breast with a star argent between two cross crosslets fitchée in chief and a crescent in base of the third. Crest - A garb proper. Motto: Fac et spera.

A Ordinary of Scottish Arms:

1848. Or, an eagle displayed gules charged on the breast with a mullet argent between two cross crosslets fitchée in chief and a crescent in base sable. Donald of Conheath (1788)

2653. Parted per fess wavy argent and vert, in the center a salmon naiant proper. Ronald (Macdonald), Marquess of Antrim (1677).

Great Britain & Ireland Crests, Vol. 1, Part 1.

Donald, Scotland, an arm in armour embowed, brandishing in the hand a sword, all proper. Toujours Prét. 195.2

Donald, Scotland, a garb proper. fac et spera. 153.2

Donald, issuing out of a cloud a dexter hand in fesse proper, holding a cross patée fitched sable. 223.6

define:

cross crosslet: a cross that conjoined with other crosses.

dexter: right

fess/fesse: a broad horizontal band across a shield.

fitchée: pointed at the end.

or: gold

argent: silver or white

azure: blue

purpure: purple

sable: black

vert: green

gules: red

proper: the natural color of the described item.

Tartans: http://www.scotclans.com/scottish_clans/...

http://www.clandonald-heritage.com/tarta...

Coats-of-arms:

http://www.rushings.info/images/donald_1...

http://www.rushings.info/images/donald_2...