My paternal grandfathers family immigrated to America in the early 20th century from Scotland. In Scotland my family name Laidlaw translated means 'Lord of the Hill' and my father has silverware with our families crest. When I was younger I thought that the  symbol of a hand holding a sword out of a heart meant courage and compassion, though I believe now that it means bloodlust in battle. Recently I asked my grandfather how the crest came about. What I thought was a sword is actually a dirk, a long thrusting dagger used by the Scottish Highland regiments. According to legend, the heart of Robert Bruce was kept in a case and during the Battle of Bannockburn it was thrown into the British encampment which allowed the Scottish to win. This relates to the sociological concept of the family who has its own stories and mythologies. The crest is a way to pass down the story of the Battle of Bannockburn and a way to remember our victories and hero’s. 

– C

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more