Ian, I note that the English Coat of Arms is almost the same as the 1777 Coat of Arms for Scotland. LAIRD (England). Ar. A chev. betw. two boars' heads, couped, in chief, and a crescent in base, all gu. Crest-A hand holding a covered cup ppr. So, I wonder which one came first? Also, it is possible that Glenhuntley was the name of a Manor rather than a village in Scotland. And I would think that if William was proud of his ancestry, and knew something of his lineage, that he would have set it down for posterity. So, I agree with you. We need to find out more about William Laird, and why he chose the symbols that are identified on his crest. I would also like to know more about his line of work. Could he have been part of the lineage of the famous Laird ship builders? I know very little about them, but your mention of the "Shaw Savill ship named Glenhuntly, built in the 19th century" causes me to wonder. Sincerely, Patricia Laird Howard