Robertson Clan Crest
The crest and arms of Clan Robertson are among the most distinctive in Scottish heraldry because they commemorate a very specific act of loyalty to the Scottish Crown. Their symbolism is rooted in one dramatic event: the pursuit and capture of the assassins of King James I of Scotland after his murder at Perth in 1437.
According to clan tradition and later historical accounts, Robert Riabhach Duncanson of Struan — known in English as “Grizzled Robert” — led the hunt for the king’s killers after they fled into the Highlands. Robert captured Sir Robert Graham, one of the principal conspirators, along with allies connected to the Earl of Atholl. His actions earned the lasting gratitude of the Stewart monarchy and transformed the heraldry of the clan forever.
The best-known symbol of Clan Robertson is the crest badge:
a dexter hand holding up an imperial crown. The hand represents faithful service and action, while the crown symbolises the Scottish monarchy that the clan defended. Tradition holds that this honour was formally granted by King James II, the son of the murdered king, in recognition of Robert Riabhach’s loyalty and courage. The accompanying clan motto, “Virtutis gloria merces” — “Glory is the reward of valour” — reinforces this theme of service rewarded through honour. 
Robertson Coats of Arms:
A note on Coats of Arms:
Under Scottish heraldic law a coat of arms is awarded to an individual (with the exception of civic or corporate arms) . There is no such thing as a ‘family coat of arms’ The arms represented below are personal arms (with the above exceptions). Only the individual granted these arms has the right to use them. for more information see our pages on heraldry here:
(https://tartanshop.com/pages/all-about-scottish-heraldry)
The full Arms of Robertson of Struan, borne only by the chief of Clan Donnachaidh, contain even more dramatic symbolism. Most unusually, beneath the shield appears the figure of a wild man in chains — sometimes described in older heraldic language as a “savage man chained.” This rare feature is believed to represent the captured regicide, Sir Robert Graham, and serves as a visual memorial of the chief’s role in avenging the murdered king. Few Scottish clan arms contain such direct historical storytelling.
ROBERTSON of Struan / Strowan
Gules, three wolves’ heads, erased, Argent, armed and langued, Azure.
Arms for the Chief of Clan Donnachaidh
The Motto Struan has two mottos in Latin, one in a scroll above the crest “Virtutis Gloria Merces” (Glory is the reward of valour), and the other below the compartment “Garg’n Uair Dhuisgear” (Fierce when roused).
The Helmet and Mantling
The wreath is of twisted cloth in the livery colours of its owner, red and silver in the case of Struan. The Crest is a right hand holding a regal crown.
The Supporters Struan has on peace (left) side, a green serpent with a red ribbon around its neck, and, on the war (right) side, a silver dove with a blue beak and a blue hat trimmed with ermine on its head.
The Shield Three wolves’ heads, cut off at the neck, in silver, armed with blue tongues. This is a device bearing evidence to the fact our Clan killed the last wolves in the Isles.
Additional Device The man in chains is a device bearing evidence to the fact that the fourth Chief captured one of the murderers of James I. He was returned to the Queen “ALIVE” for torture.
Robertson Haward Coat of Arms
From William Vergo, Chester Herald, college of Arms, “the Arms displayed in the first and fourth quarters of the shield together with the first Crest are identical with those duly granted by Letters Patent bearing date the 25th May 1612 to Samuel Haward of the Isle of Hartye in the county of Kent, by William Segar, Garter King of Arms. Samuel is said to be the son of William Haward and grandson of Stephen Haward, and the Coat blazoned: Arms: Or a bull’s head cabossed between three mullets sable. Crest: An arm vested sable cuffed or holding in the hand proper a human heart gulse, wilst the Arms depicted in the second and third quarters of the shield together with the second Crest and the chained man device is the very ancient Coat of the Robertsons of Straun or Strown in county Perth, Scotland. . . registered in the records of Lyon King of Arms in Scotland in 1672 and is blazoned: Arms: Gules three wolves heads erased argent armed and langued azure: lying on a compartment under the Arms a wind man chained. Crest: a dexter and hand erect holding a regal crown all proper. . .the motto in the scroll pendent from the armorial cartouche, namely VIRTUTIS GLORIA MERCES (Glory is the reward for valour) is that long used by the aforementioned Robertson family and the fact that the Crests of both Haward and Robertson are included above the shield in the achievement would suggest that double name of Robertson-Haward.
Robertson of struan coat of arms