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Clan Mercer (Tartans, Crest) and The Story Behind

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Mercer

Clan Crest: A cross Or

Clan Motto: Crux Christie Nostra Corona (Christ’s cross is our own crown)

Origin of Name: French, occupational

Clan Chief: None, armigerous clan

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Mercer Clan History

Mercer is derived from the French word mercier. It is an occupational name that refers to someone who is a textile or cloth merchant.

In or around 1200, William Mercer or le Mercer witnessed two charters for the Abbey of Kelso.

Aleumnus Mercer, along with twenty-three others, signed a bond given by Alexander II to Henry III of England in 1244 to keep the peace between the two countries. Aleumnus also received a grant from Walter, son of Alan, in Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire.

An intriguing story about two Mercers appears in English records, providing an intriguing insight into the laws of the time. In 1279, "an unknown man was housed at Morpathe (Morpeth, Northumberland) with Geoffrey and William, the Scottish mercers." The stranger rose in the middle of the night and stole their goods worth 30 shillings, fleeing to Cotinwode, followed by William, who slew him in his flight. Both withdrew and have not been discredited. They may return, and if so, their chattels will be confiscated for flight." It appeared to be legal to pursue a thief and then execute summary justice, provided the culprit was caught with the goods in their possession. The Mercers, on the other hand, did not pursue the thief in the recognized and permitted manner.

Duncan Mersar was a witness in Aberdeen in 1272, and he is most likely the same Duncan Mercener who was a witness to a charter by Martin Aurifaber nine years later, in 1281.

Wauter le Mercer, burgess of Montrose, Bernard le Mercer, burgess of Perth, and Austyn le Mercer, burgess of Roxburgh all signed the Ragman Rolls in 1296, paying homage to Edward I of England.

Both the Mercers of Aldie and the Mercers of Innerpeffry in Strathearn are old families with this name.

The Mercers of Aldie were deeply involved in Perth's history and prosperity.

This branch appears to have been founded by a Thomas. In 1341, Thomas received an order from England's Edward III for funds to raise men and horses for service in Aquitania, a region in south-west France. In the second half of the 14th century, John Mercer, a wealthy burgess of Perth, flourised and was provost of the town in 1357, 1369, and 1374, and he was commissioner for Perth to arrange for David II's liberation in 1355. During a truce in 1376, the English kidnapped Thomas, but he was quickly released for no ransom, much to the chagrin of Walsingham, who is well aware of Thomas' "inestimable wealth." An old rhyme refers to the Mercer family's age in Perth.

"It's as sick as anything on the planet, and The Mercers are older than old Perth."

Another satirical rhyme refers to the exchange of the two Inches of Perth (where the famous clan battle was fought in 1396) for the right to the burial chamber in Perth's St. John's Church.

"According to locals, the Mercers attempted to defraud the town."

When they won six feet for two inches."

Mercer Places & People

Coming Soon

Mercer Tartans

Tartan Mercer

The tartans listed below are appropriate for the name.

Perthshire County Council

Keith the Elder

Keith Contemporary

Mercer Crest & Coats of Arms

Clan Mercer Crest

The crest is an ornate cross.

Coats of Arms of Mercer:

A word about Coats of Arms:

A coat of arms is granted to an individual under Scottish heraldic law (with the exception of civic or corporate arms). A 'family coat of arms' does not exist. With the exceptions noted above, the arms depicted below are personal arms. Only the person who has been granted these weapons has the right to use them.