HERALDS

Heralds were first mentioned in Western Europe about the time of the First Crusade in 1095.  Since the early 15th century, the Sovereign has delegated the power to grant new Coats of Arms to officers (Kings of Arms), their juniors (Heralds), and their own juniors (Pursuivants).  In Scotland, these duties are handled by the Court of the Lord Lyon where he has the final word on all such matters.

ARMS

In 1672, David was the last Laird of Meikledale and last Chief of Clan Little to register arms.  His full coat of arms consists of the shield and the crest [Workman’s Manuscript, Lyon Office].

The Shield shows the arms – a silver St.  Andrew’s Cross (often rendered as white) on a black background.  The dominant black and white comprise the livery colors of the Border Littles.

The Crest of the chiefs of Clan Little was a demi-lion in black spattered with silver saltires; in his right paw he holds a cutlass, in his left the cross of St.  Andrew.  The only splash of color is in the red claws.  The Crest rests on a wreath of the livery colors.  This would traditionally be attached to the chief’s helmet, so that he could be recognized by this and his shield and surcoat even in his fighting armor.  No one but the chief may wear the crest.

BADGE

Members of the clan may wear the chief’s crest, surrounded by a belt and buckle (to signify subservience to the chief).  Because there is currently no chief, we use the crest of Little of Meikledale of old with his motto.

MOTTO

The Clan Little at Meikledale had two mottoes:

Concedo Nulli  – I yield to none.
(often mistranslated imperatively “Never Surrender,” which would actually be Noli Concedere in Latin.)

Fidei Coticula Crux – The cross is the test of truth.

The Littles of Liberton (Edinburgh) had their own:

Magnum in Parvo  – Great in Little.

Multum in Parvo –  Much in Little.

PLANT

The Clan Little plant is Heather, ubiquitous in Scotland.

Our Tartan… 
Little of Morton Rigg

Tartan and kilts have become part of the national identity of Scotland. In this spirit, our founder, Dr. Johnnie, designed and patented a Tartan for the Clan Little Society’s use. It was approved, patented, and registered. A description has been recorded and follows here:

“A distinctive tartan has been designed (Bk4/W8/Bk8/R16/Bk4/R16/Bk16/Y1), approved by the Founder Members, and woven. It is basically a modification of the Wallace tartan with the brick red component reduced in tone and modified in hue to “wine” (syn, claret or maroon). The choice of the Wallace tartan harks back to Edward Little’s time at the end of the 13th Century. The other component of the tartan is the very old traditional Border shepherd’s black and white check, coincidentally the Little livery colours.”

Dr. Johnnie specifically offered this new tartan for the Clan Little Society’s exclusive use and asked that it not be commercially produced and sold. We still honor Dr. Johnnie’s request thirty years later by making the Clan Little tartan available at cost exclusively to Society members. That is why you must get it from our source, through the Clan Little Society store — a unique benefit reserved only for our members!
The official register listing is listed here:
 “Little of Morton Rigg”