While information here isn't all heraldry, I really couldn't find a proper name for everything. This page contains the tidbits with which we as a clan identify. Listed here you will find out more information about what clan members view as being Henderson icons and identifiers.

Heraldry

Badge or Crest

This is the crest design registered with the Lord Lyon in 1985 by Dr. John William Philp Henderson of Fordell. It is based on earlier arms registered by former members of the baronial house of Henderson of Fordell. This particular crest, which is supported by a belt and buckle, is for the clanspeople to show their support for this chief as their head of the clan, the chief's own crest is surrounded by a ring and has three eagle feathers coming out of it. Using the chiefs arms without the belt and buckle is misuse of arms and is a criminal act. These are still the chief's crest but the chief lets us use them to show our allegiance to him. For those of the inquisitive mind, the crest itself is just part of the arms granted to Dr. John Henderson of Fordell by the Lyon Court. The crest is just the very top of the helm in the assembly of crest, helm, arms and mantle.

Arms

The most important thing to remember about arms is that they are like a persons signature. Unless you are Alistair Henderson of Fordell it is illegal, in the UK, and in extremely bad taste to pass these arms off as your own. They are displayed here for educational purposes only. If you want to display a coat of arms, then you will need to get your own. Information for that can be obtained at the Lord Lyon website, The Chief Herald of Ireland, The College of Arms in London, or the Canadian Government (If you are a Canadian citizen.) That being said the Lord Lyon King of Arms describes the arms thusly, "Parted per pale dancettée Or and Sable, on a chief Argent a crescent Azure between two Ermine spots." The language is the tough part: Or = Gold, Sable = Black, Argent = Silver or White, Azure = Blue. The English College of Arms says that the exact color us up to the artists discretion but that it should be easily identified as the color.

Tartan

Predominately green pattern with wide alternating blue and black bands highlighted by alternating fine yellow and white facing stripes. There are several variations based on color while the basic weave is the same. The modern colors are shown below.

Roll over the corresponding version of the Henderson tartan to see a depiction of that coloring.
NOTE: If your browser does not support Javascript then you can click on the link to open a window with a picture of the tartan.
[ Ancient | Modern | Dress | Muted | Weathered ]

Motto

Sola Virtus Nobilitat (which translated from latin means, Virtue Alone Ennobles or Virtue Alone is Nobility)

Name Variations

Henderson, Henryson, Henrisoun, Henders, MacHendry, McHendry, MacHenry, McHenry, Hendry, Henry, Hendrie, Hendron, d'Handresson in France, MacKendrick, McKendrick, MacKendry, McKendry, McKendree, Kendrick, and other versions of MacEanruig, "son of Henry"

Related Clans

Gunn(Sept of), MacNaughton(Disputed Sept of), MacDonald of Glencoe(Sept of)

Gaelic Translation

MacEanruig meaning "son of Henry", pronounced "Mick Enrick". Most prominent namesake is Eanruig Mor (Big Henry) son of King Nechtan of the Picts

Plant Badge

Cotton Grass or Bog Cotton, or as it is known in Gaelic: Canach. It has been found growing on Rannoch Moor above Glencoe (Kinlochleven). Cotton Grass (of the genus Eriophorum) grows in bogs and marshes throughout the United States, Scotland, England and Canada. It is a hardy plant that grows from May to September when it releases its cottony flowers to blanket the ground in the lands that is resides. It is meaningful the way the delicate flower blooms out of such a harsh environment, or is it that we as a clan are swamp dwellers? A clansperson wears his or her chieftains badge, often in a bonnet, to show their support for the chief and to recognize other members of their clan. This comes from the day before people wore the ceremonial metal badge of the chief's crest supported by a belt and buckle.

"Sola Virtus Nobilitat"