Heraldry

Chief, Mark Nesbitt of that Ilk

Chief, Mark Nesbitt of that Ilk

​Mark Nesbitt of that Ilk is Chief of the Nisbet/Nesbitt family (equivalent to a Highland clan). The concept of chiefship is perhaps less well-developed in the Lowlands of Scotland, than in the Highlands, but bears the same significance in Scottish law. The Chief of a clan is recognised by the Lord Lyon as bearing the undifferenced, “stem” form of Nisbet arms, and thus usually represents the oldest (recorded) family in the family heartland.

Some large clans, such as the MacDonalds have a Chief and subsidary Chieftains, but this is not the case in our family. The Chiefs of all clans considered substantial enough to have a "following" are granted supporters by the Lord Lyon - these are the two boars holding up the shield in the Arms illustrated below.

Although the recognition of a Chief is determined by Scottish law, his or her role (there are several woman Chiefs, most notably Lady Saltoun, Chief of the Frasers) is very much up to the Chief. Most Chiefs, whether or nor resident in Scotland, are actively involved with their clans, usually through the clan associations.

The Nesbit(t) or Nisbet family is recorded in the parish of Edrom, Berwickshire, from the 12th century onwards. A plausible path of descent can be traced until 1444; after this, the father-son descent from Sir Philip Nisbet of that Ilk (1444-1523) to the Chief, and current holder of the arms, is clear. The family intermarried with other Border families, including Haldane of Gleneagles families, and the Swinton family, with which our arms have in common three boars' heads.

Arms: Argent three boars heads erased Sable, armed Argent and langued Gules

The origin of the Coat of Arms was a jacket or tabard worn by a medieval Knight over his armour in order to identify him. Today the expression "Coat of Arms" is generally applied to what is officially called an "Achievement", which consists of various pasts: a shield, helmet, mantling, wreath, crest, motto and sometimes supporters and decoration.

Chief Arms

Arms refer to the center shield in the coat of arms. Argent refers to the color of the shield- Silver or white. Three boars heads Erased Sable- symbols of hospitality. Sable refers to the color of the boars heads which are black. Armed. A term applied to the horns, teeth, and tusks of beasts, refers to the head. Argent refers to the color of th teeth or tusks, which are silver or white. Langued. A term to express the tongue of beasts when of a different tincture to that of the body. The tongue, when red, need not be expressed, as it is always understood to be of that color.

Crest: a boar passant Sable, armed Argent and langued Gules

The Crest refers to the very top of the coat of arms under the Clan Motto. A boar passant Sable- revers to a boar walking symbol of bravery: fights to the death, Sable meaning black. Armed. A term applied to the horns, teeth, and tusks of beasts, refers to the head. Argent refers to the color of the teeth or tusks meaning silver or white. Langued. A term to express the tongue of beasts when of a different tincture to that of the body. The tongue, when red, need not be expressed, as it is always understood to be of that colour. The rope or wreath part of the crest just under the boar passant is in argent-silver and sable-black. It's that portion of the coat of arms that is used for the Clan Badge. Gules refers to the color red. Gules refers to the color red.

Motto: I BYD IT

This is the motto for Clan Nisbet.

Supporters: Two boars Sable rampant, armed Argent and langued Gules on a compartment Vert embellished with acorns Proper

The Supporters, portion of the arms are the two boars Sable rampant. This refers that the boars are standing on hind quarters, sable meaning the color black. Armed. A term applied to the horns, teeth, and tusks of beasts, refers to the head. Langued. A term to express the tongue of beasts when of a different tincture to that of the body. The tongue, when red, need not be expressed, as it is always understood to be of that colour. Compartment. A kind of carved ornament, upon which the supporters stand, a pedestal. Vert meaning the color green, to embellish to make beautiful with ornamentation with acorns, Proper. A term applied to everything when borne of its natural form and color.

A System of Heraldry

Alexander Nisbet of the Ilk, The Herald

You can't talk about heraldry with out mentioning Scotland'smost famous herald, Alexander Nisbet (1657-1725). He was one of the most important authors on the topic. His publication is still in print nearly 300 year later. Nisbet being one of the borders families Nisbet of Nisbet house, about 2 miles south of Duns, Berwickshire. Alexander Nisbet was a grandson of Adam Nisbet, an Edinburgh lawyer. He studied at Edinburgh University in 1675, and then became a private student of heraldry, making a living as a writer in Edinburgh. He died in poverty on December 5, 1725, and was buried in the family vault in Greyfriars Kirk. Alaxander contributed one of the most authoritative books on the typic, A System of Heraldry.

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