Clan Johnston’s Winged Spur

The origin of the winged spur as a Johnston emblem dates back to the tumultuous times of John Baliol’s reign over Scotland. The story goes that Edward I of England sought to assert his dominance over Scotland, demanding that Baliol acknowledge Scotland as a tributary to England. Robert Bruce, the Earl of Carrick, staunchly opposed this scheme, placing himself in peril. Baliol, keen on conveying a discreet yet urgent warning to Bruce about a plot to capture him, devised a unique method. He dispatched the chief of the Johnstons with a singular token: a spur, to which a bird’s wing was tied. This cryptic message was clear to Bruce – it was time for swift escape, much like a bird in flight. Grateful for the Johnston chief’s pivotal role in his evasion, Bruce, upon ascending to the throne, conferred upon the Johnston clan the crest of the winged spur, immortalizing their deed in heraldry.

The winged spur symbolizes more than a single act of allegiance. It encapsulates a spirit of readiness and agility, qualities that the Johnstons were known for. When Sir James Johnston held the title of Lord Warden of the West Marches, tasked with apprehending law violators, his motto was “Alicht thieves all,” reflecting the clan’s commitment to justice and vigilance. This motto later evolved to “Nunquam non paratus” or “Never unready,” as the Johnstons ascended in status and honor. This phrase resonated with the clan’s ethos, as they were always ready to answer the call to arms, embodying the spirit of the winged spur – ever prepared to act swiftly and decisively.

Adapted from: Johnston, C. E. (1900). A genealogical record of the descendants of Peter Johnston: Who came to America from Lockerby, Scotland, in the year 1773, and settled in Wilton, N.Y. Also a short history of the clan of Johnston, of Annandale. [Self-published].