Clan mottoes...

[Farlander]

Lennox's motto is "I'll Defend". Kincaid and MacFarlane are both spawned by the Earl of Lennox, and use "This I'll Defend". Interestingly, I believe Kincaid and MacFarlane came by their mottos differently. Here is the MacFarlane badge:

I am not sure who Lennox or Kincaid are defending, but in the case of MacFarlane, notice that the demi-savage is pointing to an imperial crown with his left hand. The Regent, James, Earl of Moray, rewarded the MacFarlanes with the Clan's crest and motto for protecting him (and thus the crown) from his mother, Mary Queen of Scott's, in 1568.

[Jack Daw]

I'm glad to read that the author thought to include the Clan MacIntyre motto, "Per Ardua" (through difficulties). Many times when I was a kid and feeling low about a poor showing at sports or some other sort of disappointment, my dad would quote the motto to give me courage. It worked, too.

[slohairt]

Ó hAirt 'Fortiter et Fideliter' (Strong and Faithful)
Graham (already mentioned)
Ó Ciaragáin (Kerrigan) 'J'aime Mon Dieu, Mon Roi, et Mon Pays' (I Love My God, My King, and My Country)
Ó Dónaill (O'Donnell) 'In Hoc Signo Vinces' (In This Sign Thou Shall Conquer)
Ó Néill (O'Neill) (already mentioned)

[Scotus]

I have a slight correction in regard to the person who posted about the motto of Clan Drummond. To be more correct, "Gang warily" is the slogan on the compartment (and is also used on the clan badge worn by clansmen and on the chief's standard). The motto of the chief of Clan Drummond (the one above the crest) is the following: Virtutem Coronat Honos (Honor crowns virtue).

[SexyButler]

And let's not forget the Domhnallaich - the MacDonalds:



Per Mare Per Terras - By Sea, By Lands

I'm fascinated by the amount of Gaelic in use among clans from areas that the Conventional Wisdom (read "Scottish Parliament") decides are not from Gaelic areas for the purpose of watering down the Gaelic Language Bill.

Ditto, for me!

[dowofbuchanan]

well i have a question do you go for the badge of your clan or sept and the buchanan clan motto is honos hinc claros i think but it means brighter hence the honour

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

well i have a question do you go for the badge of your clan or sept and the buchanan clan motto is honos hinc claros i think but it means brighter hence the honour

Until you have resolved the issue of your personal armigerous status then the best thing to do is wear the badge of a clansman, and wear it with pride.

[cwr89]

I'm Irish so its not really a clan. but Ryan is my name the old spelling is O'Mulrein.
motto is: Malo Mori Quam Foedari
translates to: I would rather die than be dishonored

[BigRedWarEagle]

clan Ross (I haven't seen it yet): "Spem successus alit," or Success nourishes hope.

[slohairt]

I'm Irish so its not really a clan. but Ryan is my name the old spelling is O'Mulrein.
motto is: Malo Mori Quam Foedari
translates to: I would rather die than be dishonored

Technically the Irish did have clans, but Irish historians generally refer to them as 'septs'. (Not to confused with the Scottish sense of the word.) Ryan and O'Mulrein are from Ó Maoilriaghain (modern Irish: Ó Maoilriain or Ó Riain) meaning descended from the servant of the queen. Reputedly, the clan originated in the 10th Century with the Uí Dhrona of Carlow. Their lands roughly correspond to the later barony of Idrone. Another branch of the clan settled in Uaithne Tire (Owney, Tipperary) and Uaithne Cliath (Owneybeg, Limerick). Like most Irish clans, they lost their land in the 17th Century.