| SOMERVILLE
CREST |
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The Somerville Crest
consists of a knight's helmet and shield with a dragon sitting atop the
helmet.
The helmet is the
center piece of the crest. It faces
left and covers both the head and neck while setting on the wearer's
shoulders. It has an open visor for
the eyes with seven evenly-spaced gold ribs attached vertically from the top
to the bottom of the visor. A blue
and gold cord is attached at the top of the helmet and points backwards with
a red scarf attached to the cord which flows freely behind the helmet. The red signifies military fortitude and
magnanimity.
The shield is a
symbol of a defender. The shield in
the Somerville Crest is known as a Heater Shield. A Heater Shield has a flat top and sides that curve to a
point. The shield in the crest rests
on it's lower left edge and has a blue background. The shield displays three gold stars and seven gold |
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| cross-fitchees (pronounced fitsh'y) on it. A cross-fitchee is a combination of cross
and sword. Three smaller crosses are
joined together at their base to form the handle of the sword. The cross-fitchees and stars are aligned
in four rows on the shield. The top
row contains three cross-fitchees.
The second row has a star, cross-fitchee and star in that order. The third row consists of a star with a
cross-fitchee on both sides and the fourth row is of a single
cross-fitchee. The blue background
stands for truth and loyalty. The
gold is symbolic of generosity and the elevation of the mind. The cross-fitchee stands for unshakable
faith and the star is a sign of celestial goodness and for a noble person. |
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| A green, winged, fire-breathing dragon
sits atop the helmet on a wagon wheel and faces left. The family motto, "FEAR GOD IN
LIFE" is encircled behind the dragon and extends down to the
helmet. The words "FEAR
GOD" appear on the left side the circle and "IN LIFE" appears
in the right half. The dragon is
known to be a valiant defender of treasure.
It is symbolic of valour and protection. The fire is representative of zealousness. Legend has "William Somerville
killing ane hydeous monster in the form of a worme' by pushing an ingenious
fiery contraption down its throat." William was the son of Thomas de
Somerville of Linton and Carnwath. The Lord Somerville line was created 1445. The title became dormant in 1870 at the
death of the 18th Lord. |
| The wheel that the
dragon sits upon is a Catharine Wheel.
The Catharine Wheel is an emblem of one who is prepared to undergo
great trials for the Christian faith.
St. Catharine was a virgin of royal descent in Alexandria, who
publicly confessed the Christian faith at a sacrificial feast appointed by
the Emperor Maximi’nus, for which confession she was put to death by torture
by means of a wheel like that of a chaff-cutter. |
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