Forbes Crest Badge

A coat of arms is attributed to specific individuals and not to families or clans. However, clan members may be allowed to display a clan badge as a mark of their allegiance to their chief.

In Scottish heraldry, the grant of badges is limited to those categories of individuals who may be expected to have a "numerous following", that is to say a significant body of adherents or supporters such as for a clan chief.

On a coat of arms, the crest consists of the figure on the top of the helmet. Clan members may display this crest encircled by a belt on which is inscribed the individual's motto. The belt represents the allegiance to the armiger e.g., the individual who owns the coat of arms.

The Forbes Crest Badge

Here we see on the tartan, within a buckle, the crest: a stags head and the motto: “Grace Me Guide”.

Learn more here:

• Lord Lyon King of Arms: Crests

• Coats of Arms of the House of Forbes

by MissPalin

(Sources: Scottish Heraldry)