Clan Gordon

Mottoes:

Remaining, Abiding, Lasting
Do well and let them say…Gordon.
By courage not craft

Arms:

Quartered shield with 2 azure fields, one containing 3 boars’ heads and one containing 3 strawberry blossoms, and 2 gold fields, one with 3 lions’ heads and one with 3 crescents.

Crest:

A stag emerging from a golden crown.

Plant badge:

The Scots Pine, a sprig of which was typically worn in the clansman's bonnet to identify his clan.

The House of Gordon is thought to have originated in France from Adam de Gordon who traveled with King Louis IX in the Crusades in 1270. Sir Adam, Lord of Gordon, acquired the Lordship of Strathbogie in Banffshire under Robert the Bruce. His great-great-great grandson was created first Earl of Huntly in 1449. During the next century, the Gordons held a great deal of power throughout the highlands, ruling a nearly independent kingdom. The fourth Earl of Huntly tried to arrange a marriage between one of his sons to Mary, Queen of Scots. A series of misunderstandings regarding the match eventually led to a rebellion that caused the collapse of Gordon power. The Gordon fortunes were restored around 1660 with the creation of the Earldom of Aboyne.

The House of Gordon is best known for devout Catholicism and mastery of horse breeding. Many descendants of the house now reside in Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and the north of Scotland.