Maxwell, of Calderwood, has the same Motto, on a different idea. The Crest is "A Man's Head looking upright," to which the Motto seems to give a religious interpretation, and to imply, "Think on" Eternity[302].
A similar change appears to have been brought about, by religious attachments, in the Crest and Motto of Bannerman, which seems to extend to the rest of the Armorial Bearings. Sir Alexander Bannerman of Elsick, the chief, bore, "Gules, a Banner displayed Argent, and thereon a Canton Azure, charged with a St. Andrew's Cross. Crest, a Demi-Man in Armour, holding in his Right Hand a Sword Proper. Motto, Pro Patriâ." This Bearing is by Grant, 1692; but a younger Son of this House bore (when Mr. Nisbet wrote) the Field and Banner as above, "within a Bordure Argent, charged with Four Buckles Azure, and as many Holly-Leaves Vert, alternately." Buckles, in certain case we shall see hereafter, admit of a religious interpretation, and the Holly-Leaves (quasi Holy-Leaves), seem to have a similar import, especially when added to the new Crest, viz. "A Man issuing out of the Wreath in a Priest's habit, and praying posture," with this Motto, "Hæc prestat Militia[303]." This change might possibly take place about the enthusiastic time of the Union of the two Kingdoms, when religious party spirit ran high in Scotland[304].
Ross, Lord Ross, has the same Motto as Dalziel Earl of Carnwath; but on what pretensions does not appear.
I shall now proceed to another conjectural interpretation, as to the Motto of Lord Napier; which is, "Ready, aye Ready." Sir Alexander Napier was killed at the Battle of Flodden Field (1513), leaving Issue Alexander, who married Margaret, the Daughter of Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenorchy, ancestor of the Earls of Breadalbine. The Motto, or rather, perhaps, Slug-Horn, of the Laird of Glenorchy, was, "Follow me." On this marriage, therefore, I am led to believe that Alexander Napier might take the responsive Slug-Horn of "Ready, aye Ready," as if he had said, "always ready to follow you." This may, perhaps, primâ facie, appear too hypothetical; but it is grounded upon the authority of a Friend, a Native of Scotland, who once told me that the Mottoes of the Lairds often had a reference to that of their Chief.
Something like this appears in the Motto of Fraser, late Lord Lovat, which is, "I am Ready." That Family is descended from a younger Branch, the elder having ended in Daughters. They had for their Ancestor, in the Female line, the Sister of King Robert I.; and the Motto seems, if not responsive, at least expressive of Loyalty.
This sort of Motto seems to prevail in the Family of Douglas. That of the elder Branches is, "Forward;" to which the younger Branches reply, "Jamais Arrière," which may, perhaps, be best translated by the vulgar Scottish expression, "Hard at your Back."
The Motto of Hay, Earl of Errol, which is, "Serva Jugum," deserves our particular attention; and is founded on a well-attested historical fact, related to this effect by Mr. Crawfurd. In the Reign of Kenneth III. (anno 980), when the Danes invaded this Island, and gave Battle to the Scots, whom they had routed at the Village of Loncarty, near Perth, a certain Husbandman of the name of Hay, who was tilling his Land, perceived his Countrymen flying before the Enemy; when he and his two Sons, arming themselves with their Plough-gear, the old Man having the Yoke of the Oxen for his own Weapon, upbraided the Scots for their Cowardice, and, after much difficulty, persuaded them to rally. They accordingly, under the Command of this unexpected Leader and his Sons, armed with Yokes and Plough-shares, renewed the Engagement; when the Danes, supposing their Enemy had received a reinforcement, fled in their turn. The King, in reward for this uncommon Service, advanced Hay to the Rank of Noblesse, and gave him as much Land as a Falcon, let loose from the Fists, should compass at one flight. The lucky Bird, says Dr. Abercrombie, seemed sensible of the merits of those that were to enjoy it; for she made a circuit of seven or eight miles long, and four or five broad; the limits of which are still extant. This Tract of Ground, continues my Author, being called Errol, the Family took from thence its designation, or title.