Heraldry & Identity
Tartan, Arms & Badge
The visual symbols of a Scottish clan carry centuries of meaning — woven into tartan, carved in stone, and blazoned on arms. Clan Preston’s heraldic identity is rooted in its Lothian origins and its long association with the Scottish Crown. As part of our petition to the Lord Lyon, we will seek formal recognition of a Preston clan tartan and arms.
The Preston Arms
Historically, senior members of the Preston family bore arms reflecting their position among Scotland’s landed gentry. The arms associated with the Prestons of Craigmillar feature a distinction common to families of Norman and early Scottish origin.
As part of our Lord Lyon petition, we will seek matriculation of arms for the Chief of Clan Preston, establishing an official heraldic record for the family going forward.
The Clan Tartan
No officially registered Preston tartan exists at present — this is common among clans that lost formal standing after the clan system declined. Several patterns have been proposed drawing on the family’s Lothian and Border connections.
Upon formal recognition, a Preston tartan will be registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans. Members of the registry will be invited to participate in its selection.
Do you have knowledge of a historical Preston tartan, a family textile tradition, or a design recommendation? We welcome contributions from descendants and researchers worldwide. If you have historical examples, family records, or design suggestions to share, please contact the Seanchaidh at seanchaidh@clanpreston.org.
Clan Motto
“Praesto Ut Praestem”
Praesto Ut Praestem — “I undertake what I may perform” — speaks to the Preston character: a commitment to honour obligations, to act with purpose, and to be measured by deeds rather than words. It reflects the family’s long record of service, from the landed estates of Lothian to their role in Scottish civic and military life. It has been adopted by this registry as the clan’s defining principle.
Craigmillar Castle — Our Ancestral Seat
From 1374 until the late 16th century, Craigmillar Castle near Edinburgh was the principal seat of the Preston family. Sir William Preston acquired and expanded it, and the family held it through the turbulent reigns of James IV, James V, and Mary Queen of Scots.
Today Craigmillar Castle is maintained by Historic Environment Scotland and open to the public. It stands as the most tangible physical legacy of the clan’s influence in Lothian.
Help us build the registry needed to restore our heraldic identity.
Register as a DescendantThe Preston tartan and clan crest are part of the broader heraldic heritage administered by the Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms, which maintains Scotland’s official register of arms and clan identification.
The Edinburgh District Tartan is formally registered with the Scottish Register of Tartans (ref. 1074).