Thus the coats of arms' colours are based on that of Bass. This coat of arms' origins are still something of a mystery. The issuing authority, the Lord Lyon's Office in Edinburgh, has the shield griffin as salient, clearly an error as all the ancient Lauder arms bore the griffin segreant. Also, the colourings of the arms indicate a descent from the House of Bass, yet the crest indicates a connexion with the House of Haltoun. Unless, that is, John Lauder is using the crest to indicate he is a descendant of the Lauder ancestor who went on the Third Crusade.
Investigations continue here.
Ancient Lauder Lauder of Haltoun Lauder of Bass Lauder of Belhaven or Beilmouth Lauder of Newington Lauder of Fountainhall Lauder of Winepark One last point. There are strict legal rules on sporting a coat of arms or crest.