Bagtown Clans

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Glass Clan Crest

Clan Glass Crest
Clan Glass Crest
CREST:  Mermaid with mirror and comb, Proper
MOTTO: Luctor Non Mergor
TRANSLATION: I struggle but am not overwhelmed
VARIATIONS: Glas
The history of Clan Glass can be traced back to the fifteenth century, with the Glass family of Ascog on the Isle of Bute being listed as a notable family at that time. The name “Glass” is derived from the Gaelic adjective meaning “grey” and may be a shortened form of MacGillieglais, meaning “son of the grey lad.”
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Nisbet also lists the family of Glass of Sauchie, who are related to the chiefly family due to the similarity of their heraldry. The Reverend Alexander Glass, possibly of the Sauchie branch, founded the religious sect known as the “Glassites.” He opposed the established Church and held that every meeting of Christians constituted a church within itself. He was expelled from the Church of Scotland but was not otherwise penalized. He wrote a number of controversial pamphlets, which were widely read after their publication in 1762.

John Glass, a master mariner and member of the Glass family, was involved in a scheme to form a new settlement on the coast of Africa. After being imprisoned by Spanish authorities, he was released on the intervention of the British government. In 1765, while sailing with his wife and daughter back to England with all that he possessed, including a considerable amount of gold, the crew mutinied near the coast of Ireland. The mutineers murdered Captain Glass and threw his wife and daughter overboard. They attempted to conceal their crime by alleging there had been a shipwreck, but they were ultimately forced to confess and were executed in October 1765.

Despite this tragic event, the Glass family has left a lasting impact on history. Members of the family have contributed to various fields, including religion, trade, and exploration. The name “Glass” continues to be associated with the values of strength, perseverance, and resilience.

Citations:

  • – Descriptive catalogue of the clan tartans and family tartans of Scotland with a brief note on their antiquity: also roll of the landlords and Baillies of lands in the Highlands and isles, A.D. 1587: roll of the clans; badges of the clans,
  • – John Catto and Company, King Street, Toronto, CanadaScottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia”, by Collins, HarperCollins Publishers 1994
Clan Glass Scottish History Poster