Aaron Marchbanks: It was good to hear from another kinsman in the United States. Heraldry is an ancient art and sometimes difficult to understand. The bird on our crest is a griffin, a mythical bird that had the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion and I suppose it was intended to suggest strength and speed. In our case, since only the animal¹s upper body appears, it is called a demi-griffin. The griffin appears to be emerging from a coronet decorated with strawberry leaves. This is called a crest-coronet and is a mark of distinction conferred on one of the chief¹s ancestors by the College of Heralds. The crest is the personal property of the Marjoribanks chief, Andrew Marjoribanks of that Ilk, and is not properly displayed by anyone else. When the crest is surrounded by the buckled belt, however, it becomes the family badge and may be worn by any member of the family as a cap badge or a brooch. The motto on the belt, ³Et Custos et Pugnax,² means ³Both a Guardian and a Warrior.² I was pleased by your interest in the family and, if you would like to give me your postal address, I would be glad to send you some introductory information about the family and a copy of the latest issue of The Marjoribanks Letter, which we publish once a year after the Annual Gathering. I will check my genealogical files to see if I can find anything more about your own ancestors and your place in the family tree. It would be useful to know any more information you may have about your own branch of the family. With kind regards, Robert Marjoribanks Honorary Secretary The Marjoribanks Family. Aaron wrote: >I was wondering if you could tell me what the Marjoribanks crest means? >Specifically the bird, and the belt? > >My name is Aaron David Marchbanks, I was born in Provo, Utah my >gg-grandfathers name was Edwin Marchbanks, and his fathers name was James >marchbanks of 1826, or James Marchbanks the Third. I think James came to USA >in 1840. > >Aaron Marchbanks >Winfield Technology Corporation >aaronm@winfieldtech.com