What is a Scottish Clan Badge?
It is alleged that early clan chiefs presented a metal plate with their coat of arms crest to their followers as a badge. By affixing this badge to their clothing with a strap and buckle, clansmen demonstrated their allegiance to their clan and chief. When not being worn, the strap and buckle were coiled around the crest. This eventually led to the stylized interpretation of the Scottish clan badge as shown below. And so, the custom has evolved for a Scottish clan chief to allow the crest of his coat of arms to be used in the form of a clan badge. All clan members, including septs and dependents, are entitled to display and wear their Scottish clan badge. We have over 35,000 Scottish Clan Badges in our reference library.
