Houston families in America. It is pictured in this book and is described in heraldic terms as follows: Or, a Chevron, Checquie, Sable and Argent, between three Martlets of the Second. The crest is a Sandglass. winged, proper, and the supporters, (borne by the family in right of being ancient hereditary barons of Scotland) on either side a Greyhound, proper, collared and chained, Or, Motto over the Crest, "In Time."

The origin of the emblems is said to have been the action of an ancient Houston, who with a body of his retainers reinforced a broken column and for his courage was knighted on the field of battle. The greyhounds represent the speed with which he came to the rescue, the last sand of the hourglass, the urgency of the hour and the motto, the arrival in time.

At least two grave-markers in cemeteries in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, are engraved with Houston arms. One of these is that of Robert Houston, who died in 1782, and the other another Robert Houston, who died in 1790. The former has the motto, "In Time" and the hourglass. The second shows these two emblems as well as the chevron and three martlets.

All of the armorial bearings which we have found have at least the motto and the hourglass in common. Thus the arms are additional evidence of the Houstons being of the same ancestry.

E. E. Reynolds in his "Introduction to Heraldry" writes: "The coat of arms may be regarded as a symbol of that respect for tradition which is a notable feature of the national character; the desire to know more of our family history, pride in the achievements of ancestors, and the complementary wish to found a family, are all parts of that tradition." 2







2 E. E. Reynolds, Introduction to Heraldry, Methuen & Company, Ltd., London (reprinted 1953), p. v.