Campbell Family Crest framed artprint - with lions

Symbolism of the Campbell Crest

The quartered arms originated with Colin Campbell, the 1st Earl of Argyll, following his marriage to Isabel Stewart, co-heiress of the Lord of Lorne. This union, combined with a land swap agreement with her uncle, led to Colin Campbell being created Lord Lorne by King James III of Scotland in 1470. To reflect his dual role as head of the Campbells and Lord of Lorne, he combined the two historic shields into the quartered design you see on this whisky glass.

The Campbell family arms are noted for their black and gold 'gyronny' pattern. This distinctive 'gyronny of eight' is a hallmark in Scottish heraldry reserved for the Chief of Clan Campbell (MacCailein Mòr), serving as a visual signature akin to a modern logo. The earliest known example of this design appears on a wax seal dating back to 1296, belonging to Sir Colin Campbell (Gaelic: Cailean Mòr, "Colin the Great"), the ancestor from whom all subsequent Campbell clan chiefs derive their traditional title.

In heraldic tradition, gold symbolizes honour, generosity, and high status, while black represents constancy and resolve. The ships depicted connect to a fleet at Lorne, symbolizing maritime power and the clan’s influence over Scotland’s western seaways. The boar’s head originates from the legend of Diarmuid O'Duine, an ancestor of Clan Campbell, who was killed by a poisonous bristle on a magical boar. The motto Ne Obliviscaris, meaning “Forget Not,” is closely linked to Clan Campbell.

Artist’s note: I found that redrawing the Campbell crest involved deep research due to the clan’s proud heraldic traditions. The Campbells hold what heraldic authorities consider the most extensive and diverse armorial record of any family globally, spanning over seven centuries of carefully documented history. This artwork honors a lineage that evolved from a single 1296 geometric seal into nearly three hundred uniquely registered coats of arms. From the striking gyronny of eight to the fleet of hybrid galley-ships of Lorne, the symbols narrate stories of strategic alliances and territorial dominance. Whether crowned with the Chief’s iconic gold boar’s head or the distinct crests of its many powerful cadet branches, this design pays tribute to a clan that shaped Scottish history and inscribed it into tradition.

Origin of the Campbell name

Campbell is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic cam beul, commonly interpreted as “crooked mouth” or “wry-mouthed.” The Campbell family rose to prominence in Argyll during the 13th century, with the earliest recorded ancestor being Gilleasbaig (Gillespie) of Menstrie, documented in the 1260s. Clan Campbell gained significant influence in Scotland from the 13th to the 16th centuries, especially throughout Argyll and the western Highlands. Over time, the family became one of the most powerful clans in Scottish history, closely associated with the Lordship of Loch Awe and the Dukes of Argyll. Due to the widespread adoption of the surname in Scotland and beyond, the heraldic forms vary among different Campbell branches and societies.

About the artist

Each coat of arms in the Family Crests Store is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. All are carefully researched, drawing from the earliest available records across multiple heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks make meaningful and uniquely personal gifts for any occasion with family and friends.

Product details

• Printed with water-based inks.
• Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Acrylite front protector
• Hanging hardware included

No Warehouses. No Waste. Just for you, made to order.

This product is printed especially for you when ordered, one at a time, by royal decree of Mother Nature to keep the realm beautiful. Family Crests Store guarantees your custom treasure meets all EU and USA safety standards.