Finding a clan badge

[yoippari]

As I have said before my most direct scottish link is my moms family with the name Gibson (Gibbs). I know they were a sept of Buchanan, Campbell, and McDuff at different times. The thing is that I don't want a Buchanan, Campbell, or McDuff clan badge I want a Gibson one. Where do I go to find a slightly obscure clan badge?

[macwilkin]

As I have said before my most direct scottish link is my moms family with the name Gibson (Gibbs). I know they were a sept of Buchanan, Campbell, and McDuff at different times. The thing is that I don't want a Buchanan, Campbell, or McDuff clan badge I want a Gibson one. Where do I go to find a slightly obscure clan badge?

There may not be one. Since Gibson is a surname associated with these larger clans, and is not a full-fledged clan per se without a Chief, there may be no arms that exsist for that Chief of the name, and thereby, no crest (the crest of the Chief's arms is the device that is in the center of the clansman's badge, whilst the "buckle-and-strap" with the motto or slogan denote that the wearer is showing his loyalty to the Chief and clan.) To be quite honest, I've never seen one before, but who knows?

Even if there is a badge, reproducing it could be fairly expensive. And there is nothing wrong with wearing the badge of one of these other clans -- the Buchanans have no Chief at present, I'm not sure about the MacDuffs -- of course, the Campbells have MacCailein Mor, The Chief of the Campbells and the Duke of Argyll.

I hope I haven't confused you with my reply -- Matt, do you have a copy of Mike McLaren's book floating around there?

Cheers,

Todd

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I have the Clan Crest book at work, Todd, but I don't have a copy here at the house.

However, one of the companies that I order clan crest badges from produces badges for all of the clans on the Standing Council of Scottish Cheifs as well as all of the Armigerous families of Scotland -- even the obscure ones.

See our gift shop page here:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/crestitems.html

Scroll down to the availability list. Note the "medium pewter" line with the very wide availability. Note also, no Gibson. This means that they are not an Armigerous family.

M

[Cawdorian]

There are some other possibilities, Cap Badges are available with the Thistle, Rampant Lion and St Andrew's Cross symbols, they are available in the medium pewter line Matt mentions. If you wear a district tartan, these are very appropriate.

Jim

[Jimmy Carbomb]

You want a "conversation starter"?

Get you hands on an old amp or guitar, and borrow the "Gibson" badge off of that. A little Gorilla Glue and a pin-back will do the trick.

Come to think of it... that would look pretty daggum cool!8)

[yoippari]

I know that there is a gibson crest somewhere. It has something like geese or some other large bird on it. My mom thinks that it is ugly, but oh well.

It isn't so much as a conversation starter, just that if I get a sporran with a clan badge on it I would want my family's crest on it. It doesn't have to be a mass production one even, if I could find a picture of the crest I know someone who might want to cast it. He is retired and casts rings and other things as a hobbie.

[celticstudio]

There may not be one. Since Gibson is a surname associated with these larger clans, and is not a full-fledged clan per se without a Chief, there may be no arms that exsist for that Chief of the name, and thereby, no crest (the crest of the Chief's arms is the device that is in the center of the clansman's badge, whilst the "buckle-and-strap" with the motto or slogan denote that the wearer is showing his loyalty to the Chief and clan.) To be quite honest, I've never seen one before, but who knows?

Even if there is a badge, reproducing it could be fairly expensive. And there is nothing wrong with wearing the badge of one of these other clans -- the Buchanans have no Chief at present, I'm not sure about the MacDuffs -- of course, the Campbells have MacCailein Mor, The Chief of the Campbells and the Duke of Argyll.

I hope I haven't confused you with my reply -- Matt, do you have a copy of Mike McLaren's book floating around there?

Cheers,

Todd

Hi
Gibson is not in McLaren;s book but I have a full colour picture of the crest. The crest is listed in "Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia" Page 395
A pelican vulving Proper.
I know wherre you can get both the badge and the kilt pin.
Contact me
Louis

[Colin]

As I have said before my most direct scottish link is my moms family with the name Gibson (Gibbs). I know they were a sept of Buchanan, Campbell, and McDuff at different times. The thing is that I don't want a Buchanan, Campbell, or McDuff clan badge I want a Gibson one. Where do I go to find a slightly obscure clan badge?

Intersting post. Thanks for the links yoippari. My great Grandmother (father's side) was a Gibbs and moved to Canada from just outside of Glasgow. This is my closest connection to Scotland, as all my other connections make me 4th and 5th generation Canadian. I never knew they had a clan badge.

I have the same difficulty with the Wood clan badge (which does exist). The clan is also a sept of Watson, which is a sept of Buchanan, so the Wood badge is harder to find. The only place I have found that was able to get the Wood cap badge was www.canadakilt.com but it would have to be specially made. I think David usually only sells accessories when you buy a kilt, but it may be worth an email. I think he quoted me between $30 and $50 cdn (pretty comparable to the ones available in the shops).

[Cawdorian]

Colin,

How can I find a Wood tartan? I have tried to find it without any luck. I presume Wood and Woods would be tne same tartan. I remember someone mentioning there was a Wood tartan but don't remeber if was a district tartan or not.

Jim

[Colin]

Colin,

How can I find a Wood tartan? I have tried to find it without any luck. I presume Wood and Woods would be tne same tartan. I remember someone mentioning there was a Wood tartan but don't remeber if was a district tartan or not.

Jim

Wood and Woods are actually the same. It is similar to Mac or Mc, Woods is just a variation of Wood. I have only found two tartans in the Wood family name and both were from one source. http://www.tartans.scotland.net/tart...cfm?startrow=1

Created to celebrate Sir Ian Wood's 60th Birthday.

A combination of the Duke of Fife or Fife and the Angus tartans. Both areas having stong historical connections with the Wood name. The tartan can be used by any with the name.

The easier solution is the more readily available tartans of Watson (ancient is quite nice and will be my next kilt) http://kiltstore.net/sr_swhdr_eighty...son%27:stage=2
or Buchanan
http://kiltstore.net/sr_swhdr_eightyardkilt.html

I would love to have a kilt in my last name, but it may be a wee bit difficult. Let me know if you find a good source.