Noble Order of Tara - Strathloch Clan Robertson Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms for the Baron Robertson of Strathloch
Strathloch Clan Robertson Coat of Arms
Lawrence Durdin-Robertson was the 21st Baron of Strathloch. This gave him the authority to found an Order of Chivalry. The photo to the left is the Charter for the Barony of Strathloch. The Coat of Arms of the Robertson family is shown directly above to the right. They were matriculated and issued by the Chief Herald of Ireland through the Genealogical Offices in Dublin.
The Scottish Clan Robertson has rightful claim to descent from the House of Struan. The Robertsons are unquestionably the oldest family of Scotland. They are the sole remaining branch of the royal house which occupied the Scottish throne in the 11th and 12th century. The Robertsons are known as Clann Donnachaidh (children of Duncan). The Duncan for which the clan is named was the son of Cronan, who was Clan Chief in the early 14th century. The Barony of Struan was created in 1451 for Robert, a grandson of Duncan, son of Cronan. Clann Donnachaidh took the surname of Robertson to signify their descent from Robert the Bruce.
A brief description of the Robertson family Coat of Arms is offered here:
The shield is colored red (Gu, Gules), and signifies military fortitude. The heads of the three wolves are colored silver and white, (Argent). Their manner of depiction represents Peace (Armed) and Sincerity (Languid) in heraldic terms. The exposed fangs of the wolves teeth are called their Arms because they are their offensive weapons. When these are represented in a different colour (Tincture) from the body of the beast they are said to be Armed and the Tincture must be named. When their tongues are of the Tincture of their Arms they are said to Languid. The wolf is a very ancient and uncommon bearing on a coat of arms and is said to denote "valiant captains that do in the end gain their attempts after long strife, and hard enterprise".
Olivia has shared the following about her brother's coat of arms:At the top of the shield is a banner of Azure (Blue), meaning Truth and Loyalty, which is wrapped around the wrist of a hand holding a curved sword. This forms the crest above the shield. Lying on a compartment within the red shield is a wild man chained. These heraldic devices signify victory over forces that defy truth and order.
The Supporters are two Mermaids. Mermaids and Mermen represent eloquence of speech in heraldic symbolism. The motto “Ramis Micat Radix” in Latin is “Ramis” meaning branch, “Micat” meaning shine or glitter, and “Radix” meaning origin or root. It translates as "The root glitters in its branches."
“A Robertson in mediaeval times captured a Graham who was rebelling against the Stuart James 1st of Scotland and brought him shackled to the King, and was rewarded with land. Recently, when a Graham objected to the treatment of her noble ancestor by a Robertson, Olivia said the matter was now well redressed! When his feudal Barony was made a full Barony through the Chief Herald of Ireland, Lawrence Durdin-Robertson could choose his supporters. He chose two Mermaids. Hence the half-nude ancestor of her Graham friend was not a God, the Green God, or Osiris, lying prone, sacrificed with two Goddesses or Mermaids - Isis and Nephthys protecting him. The Robertson and Graham ladies shook hands on it. Would all feuds were resolved so agreeably!”Gerald Slevin (1919 - 1997) served as the Chief Herald of Ireland at Dublin Castle. He matriculated FOI Co-Founder Lawrence Durdin-Robertson as the twenty-first Baron of Strathloch, with the right to bear a Coat of Arms in 1979. Lawrence was given choice of Supporters for the Coat of Arms. He chose two mermaids to honor his lineage through those Robertsons who left Ireland and settled in the Orkney Islands of northern Scotland. The Coat of Arms was painted by the Herald’s official artist, Mrs. O’Shea. The motto “Ramis Inicat Radix” in Latin is “Ramis” meaning branch, “Micat” shine or glitter, and “Radix” meaning origin or root. It translates as “The root glitters in its branches.” The “Chained Man” lying prone on the shield represents a rebel Graham, captured by a member of Clan Robertson and brought to James I of Scotland. Olivia writes: ”Ivy binds his hands and feet, he is the sacrificial Green Man - the Horned God in disguise! The mermaids of the Orkneys could also be Melusina, our ancestress, or Lady Godiva, another ancestress. Godiva, comes from ‘Goda’ - female equivalent for ’God’ in Anglo-Saxon.”
