ROLL OF BUCHANAN ARMS
This page provides the Coats of Arms, Crests and Mottoes of people and societies/businesses that have registered Buchanan-related Coats of Arms in the Public Register of all Arms and Bearings, known as Lyon Register, at Lyon Court under the guidance of Lord Lyon, King of Arms for Scotland.
The information about these Coats of Arms has been prepared over many years by Claude Askel Buchanan, Herald Emeritus, in a research project with the assistance of Lyon Court, for which we are very grateful. Elizabeth Roads, Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records (1986-2018) wrote a forward for the research that Claude has undertaken:
Claude Buchanan has for many years been researching the connections between the various Buchanan lines and has made a particular study of Buchanan heraldry; an aspect of the Clan history which has not been approached by other researchers in any depth. The results of his investigation are given here on this web site with illustrations to a very high standard by Roger Barnes. The work is, therefore, a comprehensive account of those of the name who have recorded Armorial Bearings in the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland since its establishment in 1672. It shows the wide use of heraldry made during the last 300 years by members of the Buchanan Clan. The work will, I am sure, be of great benefit to all those interested in particular Buchanan genealogy and heraldry and to a wider audience interested in the development of heraldry as shown by the use of Arms in a specific “one-name” group. Claude Buchanan is to be commended on producing what has been a labour of love for the benefit of all of his name.
What are Coat of Arms?
A coat of arms is a symbol that represents a specific family or person. Originally appearing on shields or flags, coats of arms were once used as a way of distinguishing one knight from another on a battlefield.
Example of Stodart heraldry differencing
Once arms have been granted (by the Lord Lyon of Scotland, see below) the person is considered to be an Armiger of the clan.
Other than the first child, children do not inherit their parent’s arms; but must apply for their own arms, which may have many elements of their parent’s arms; that follows a strict protocol.
Cadency
The Shield from the Coat of Arms of Buchanan of that Ilk, Chief of the Name and Arms of Buchanan
What’s with all the “Coming Soon’s”?
It is not always realised that a Grant of Arms is not a picture, but a “blazon” - a written description of a picture using codified heraldic terms. The painting of a coat of arms which appears on a Grant or Matriculation is an exemplification, ie. an artistic interpretation of the blazon to match the words. So, typically the only people that have the picture is the family itself.
If you have details of Arms of a Buchanan or a sept name, please email a picture and details to us.
Hopefully, we can get around to rendering these ourselves to add to the clan’s history.
Example of a warrant for a corporate Coat of Arms; Buchanan & Harvey Ltd
Thinking of petitioning for your personal Coat of Arms?
If you wish to know more about Coats of Arms or how to petition Lord Lyon King of Arms for one, please contact the Clan Herald.
CLICK ON A COAT OF ARMS TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERSON THAT THEY BELONG TO
CURRENT CHIEF, CHIEFTAINS AND ARMIGERS OF THE CLAN BUCHANAN
John Michael Baillie-Hamilton Buchanan of that Ilk
(“The Buchanan”) 20th chief of Clan Buchanan
For more information on our Chief, Mike, click here
Angus Buchanan of that Ilk, younger
(the chief’s eldest son and, therefore, the Tanist)
For more information on Angus, click here
Bruce Buchanan of Arnprior
Second son of the chief of Buchanan. For more information on Bruce, click here
Matriculated 2022
Lucy Buchanan of Leny
Third child of the Chief of Buchanan. For more information on Lucy, click here
Matriculated 2022
Rory Buchanan of Auchleshie
Fourth child of the Chief of Buchanan. For more information on Rory, click here
Matriculated 2022
Paul Owen Gibson JP, New South Wales Australia
Granted by Lord Lyon, Scotland, in 2022
Dr Shona McLeod Gibson, New South Wales Australia
Granted by Lord Lyon, Scotland, in 2022
Major Stephen Thomas Buchanan, New South Wales Australia
An infantry officer in the Australian Army
Granted by Lord Lyon, Scotland, in 2013
James Robert Hamilton Buchanan – Cadet of Leny
Father is Vice Admiral Sir Peter William Buchanan KBE FNI MRIN (1925-2011), dec. and, hence, the label can be removed.
Descendant of Andrew Carrick Buchanan of Drumpellier (1799-1879).
Matriculated 1991 from Andrew Carrick Buchanan’s Coat of Arms with differences.
Mark Sean Buchanan – Cadet of Drummakill
Mark Sean, is the younger son of Claude Askel Buchanan (below)
Matriculated in 1987
Claude Askel Buchanan – Cadet of Drummakill
Current Herald Emeritus of the Clan Buchanan, in New Zealand. Descended from the Buchanans of Carbeth, Gartincaber and Drummakill
Matriculated in 1985
James Ross Gray-Buchanan
Descendant of Thomas Buchanan third of Ardoch
1840 – 1925
Current Representer: Ian Gray-Buchanan (Queensland, Australia)
Andrew Carrick Buchanan
A Current Representer: Angus Carrick-Buchanan of Drumpellier and Corsewell (Stranraer, Scotland)
Descendant of Andrew Carrick Buchanan of Drumpellier (1799-1879).
Matriculated from Andrew Carrick Buchanan’s Coat of Arms with differences.
CLICK ON A COAT OF ARMS TO FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PERSON THAT THEY BELONG TO
PAST ARMIGERS OF THE CLAN BUCHANAN
John Edmonstone Buchanan-Baillie-Hamilton of Arnprior
Connected to the Leny family via Buchanan of Bochastel. These were the arms of the current chief's grandfather. They have been superseded by the new chief's arms.
1953
Alexander James Macdonald-Buchanan of Strathconon
Descendant of Macdonald – Buchanan, who claims a connection to Sir James Buchanan Bt, 1st Baron Woolavington
1931 – 2017
Sir John William Buchanan-Jardine of Castlemilk
Sir Robert was head of Jardine, Matheson and Co, merchants in China, as were his son and grandson.
1900 – 1969
Sir Walter Buchanan-Smith
1879 – 1944
Edward Mackenzie Murray-Buchanan of Leny
1874 - 1956
Sir Alexander Leith-Buchanan
Of Ross Priory, Balloch, Co. Dumbarton
1866 – 1925
Current Representer: Sir Scott Kelly Leith-Buchanan, 9th Bt. (USA)
Sir James Buchanan, Baron Woolavington
Connected to the Leny Cadet line via Alexander Buchanan, son of John Buchanan
1849 – 1935
Henry Donald Buchanan-Dunlop – Cadet of Drumhead
The family of Buchanan-Dunlop is descended from Buchanan of Drumhead who, in turn, is descended through Drummakill.
1845 – 1941
Current Representer: Major Archibald Graham Buchanan-Dunlop
John Young Buchanan – Cadet of Drummakill
The family are cadets of Drummakill via Finnick Drummond
1844 – 1925
Sir Eric Alexander Buchanan of Dunburgh
Descent is via Archibald Buchanan of Auchintorlie and Hillington
1848 – 1928
William Cross-Buchanan – Cadet of Drummakill
Descended through Buchanan of Moss and Auchentoshan
1825 – 1891
William Frederick Buchanan, New South Wales Australia
These arms are recorded in “Armorial Families”
1824 - 1911
John Buchanan of Achleshie and Arnprior
These were the arms of the current chief's great, great, great, great grandfather. They have been superseded by the 1953 arms of the chief's grandfather and by the chief's arms.
1810
Walter Buchanan of Shandon
Walter Buchanan of Shandon was M.P. for Glasgow from 1857 to 1865
1797 – 1883
Buchanan of Ardoch
The family are Cadets of Drummakill, via Gartincaber, Blairlusk, and Carbeth.
1791 – ?
Buchanan of Ballat
The family of Buchanan of Ballat is descended through Thomas Buchanan of Carbeth
1784 – ?
Buchanan of Arden
Descended from Buchanan of Carbeth and are therefore cadets of Drummakill.
1749 - 1825
Andrew Buchanan of Ardenconnel
The family of Gartachairn are descended from Walter Buchanan of Glenny and are cadets of Leny.
1745 - 1835
James Buchanan of Drumpellier
The first of the Drumpellier family appears to have been Andrew Buchanan
circa 1723 – ?
Buchanan of Carbeth
The Buchanans of Carbeth are descended from Thomas Buchanan, first of Gartincaber and Drummakill.
1722 – ?
Archibald Buchanan of Drumhead
The Buchanans of Drumhead are cadets of Drummakill
1676 – 1693
Current Representer: Major Archibald Graham Buchanan-Dunlop
Buchanan of that Ilk
Chief of the Name and Arms of Buchanan (full achievement of the Coat of Arms).
19th (and previous) Chief of Clan Buchanan
c.1630 – 1681, Granted by Lord Lyon, Scotland, in 1675
Buchanan of Leny
The family of Leny is descended from a younger son of Sir Walter Buchanan of that Ilk, 11th Laird of Buchanan.
1625 – 1690
Charles Alexander Buchanan of Touch
Second son of Robert Buchanan of Fintona, County Tyrone, Ireland
Current Representer: Nigel Walter Buchanan of Touch (Touch, Scotland)
1863 – ?
SOCIETY / BUSINESSES
Clan Buchanan Society International Inc. (CBSI)
Established at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering, North Carolina, USA in July 1970
The Buchanan Society Glasgow
Instituted in Glasgow on 5 March 1725 with the object of providing for the support of less fortunate members of the Clan
Buchanan & Harvey Ltd
Established in 1975 - manufacture of toiletry items, essences, emulsions, and other material for use in the Food Industry.
Public Register of the Lyon Court
The last record of the undifferenced Coat of Arms of Buchanan (ie. the Chief's Coat of Arms) was recorded in the Public Register of the Lyon Court in 1675.
Arms are meant to be re-matriculated within a year and a day of succession. However, it is common practice that Arms be borne on apparency, that is without matriculating the Arms, for two or three generations. Beyond this timeframe, it may be difficult or impossible to demonstrate heirship (115).
While there may have been discussions and determinations within the Clan hierarchy regarding the Clan Chief after the death of the last chief in 1681, the claims of Buchanan of Auchmar (1723–1816) and Buchanan-Hamilton (1828–1919) appear not to have been ratified in a legal sense, ie. in the Public Register of Lyon Court. Despite a lack of evidence in the form of legal notices, or recognition by the Lyon Court, of either the Buchanan of Auchmar and Buchanan-Hamilton claims, both were known and accepted by the clan, contemporary or near contemporary authorities and authors (116, 117, 118).