Symbols of MacAlpin
Additional Information
Symbols of the Family
Gaelic Name: MacAilpein
(Son of Alpin)
Slogan: An old Gaelic saying: "Cnuic 'is uillt 'is Ailpeinich" (Hills and Streams and MacAlpine's)
Though not recorded in the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland, this has been identified as being associated with our family by a former and most respected Lord Lyon.
Plant Badge: Giuthas
(Scots Pine)
Though not recorded in the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland, this plant badge has been identified as being associated with our family by a former and most respected Lord Lyon.
Crest Badge: No Official Crest Badge
No MacAlpin Chiefly Arms, of which a crest would be a part, have been recorded in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland by the Court of the Lord Lyon. Therefore, the Court has advised us against the use of any crest in a strap and buckle. A former Lord Lyon did describe the family's ancient crest as a boar's head. Also, a crest in common usage today is that of a bearded man's severed head dripping blood which is taken from "Fairbairn's Book of Crests." Again, because no MacAlpine Chiefly Arms have ever been recorded in the Lyon Register, either crest is considered by the Court to be "fictitious" and, accordingly, we strongly advise against the use of these crests. A family's Crest Badge is necessarily related to the Armorial Bearings (Coat of Arms), of which the crest is a part, of its Chief and represents the family loyalty to a particular individual. Members of the family are permitted to wear the Chief's crest in a "Strap and Buckle Crest Badge" as a show of loyalty to their Chief. Our Society is working toward the recognition of a Chief, in the interim, we have a Court recognized Commander, Michael T. McAlpin, "to perform all acts proper to the Commander of the Name in the personal absence of the Hereditary Chief thereof". The Commander uses his Cres, which is a dragonfly.
Hopefully, this will someday result in the granting of Chiefly Armorial Bearings including a crest that will be available for wear as a crest badge by members. Until that time, we suggest that our family Plant Badge be worn to show your allegiance. A sprig of pine in your cap or on your sash or shirt is a perfectly appropriate way to send the message of your ties to MacAlpine! A non-heraldic logo of a Boars head id used as the Societies emblem.
Family Tartans: Two Are Officially Registered
These tartans are recorded in the Register of All Publicly Known Tartans. The Register is maintained by the Scottish Tartan Society.
Lands Held (Anciently)
Members of the Society who have traced their ancestral lines are highly clustered around the area of Kilmartin Glen, Ford, North Knapdale and Kilmichael Glassary.
Also the area around Dunstaffnage in Argyll, near Oban, has been claimed to have been MacAlpin(e) land anciently. The MacDougalls built Dunstaffnage Castle on the site in the 13th century.
Copyright MacAlpine Society
