Clan Farquharson, of Celtic origin, derives from Farquhar, fourth son of Alexander “Ciar” Mackintosh of Rothiemurchus, 5th Chief of Clan Shaw. A grant of arms made by Lord Lyon in 1697 stated that John Farquharson of Invercauld was lawfully descended of Shaw son of MacDuff, Thane of Fife. Farquhar Shaw’s descendants came to be known as Farquharsons and the family branched from Clan Shaw. Farquhar settled in the Braes of Mar and was appointed baillie or chamberlain thereof.
The Clan Farquharson Arms: Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Or, a lion rampant Gules, armed and langued Azure (for Farquhar Shaw, descended from MacDuff, Earl of Fife); 2nd and 3rd, Argent, a fir tree growing out of a mount in base Vert, seeded Proper, on a chief Gules the Banner of Scotland displayed Or, and a canton of the First charged with a dexter hand couped at the wrist fessways holding a dagger point downwards of the Third
The Clan Farquharson Badge: The upper half of a lion rampant, with sword in his paw.
The Clan Farquharson Crest: On a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, a demi-lion Gules holding in his dexter paw a sword Proper
The Clan Farquharson Motto: Fide et fortitudine (By fidelity and fortitude)
The Clan Farquharson Plant Badge: Red Whortleberry, Scots Fir
The Clan Farquharson Gaelic Name: MacFhearchair
The Clan Farquharson Tartan: Farquharson, Ancient Farquharson, Hunting Farquharson