The crest on Plate 8, Image 11 (Pl. 8. cr. 11.) is described as a sand glass (or hour-glass), typically depicted in proper colors or specified tinctures such as gules (red).
Surnames Associated with this Crest:
- Acheson (England)
- Benley (England) [A sand glass, gules]
- Bensly (England) [A sand glass, gules]
- Boag (Scotland)
- Bog (Scotland)
- Bogg (Scotland)
- Boog (Scotland)
- Ekinton [A sand-glass, gules]
- Forbes (Eight) [Motto: Fugit hora]
- Houston (That Ilk)
- Woodstork (England)
Symbolism
Sand Glass / Hourglass: The sand glass is a classic memento mori symbol, representing the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of mortality. It serves as a persistent reminder to use one’s time on earth wisely, virtuously, and industriously. In some contexts, it can also signify patience, the passage of time revealing truth, or the cyclical nature of life.
General Symbolic Meaning
The presence of the sand glass suggests a family value placed on prudence, the careful management of time, and a philosophical awareness of life’s transience. It implies an ancestor known for their punctuality, vigilance, or a contemplative nature regarding the span of human life, often reinforced by mottos such as “Fugit hora” (The hour flies).