From an anthropological and cultural perspective, Clan Joyce of Ulster has Ulster-Scots origins. Originating with the Joass/Joss family of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, they originally settled in Ireland as Scots. As a result, many of the members of CJU who reside in Northern Ireland today consider themselves closely associated with Scottish culture. Even the membership outside of Northern Ireland consider themselves to be Scots to some degree. Because of this culture, CJU itself resembles the Scottish clan system to a large extent. From having a clan council, having a clan chief, to being built on a system of septs, in many ways its Scottish roots are honored. This is particularly true for the chiefly coat of arms of the clan chief which is interwoven into the clan’s heraldic traditions.
When Laird William Joass (1632-1707) passed away in Colleonard, Banff, Scotland during a time of social and economic change, he had previously been granted a coat of arms. Although never considered a clan chief, he was still seen as a man honor and was respected in society. As a Presbyterian minister, even his heraldic motto: Cogit Amor (Love Compels) was seen as a good fit for this leader of the community. However, after this death, one of his sons, John Joass (b. 1684) inherited the lairdship and his father’s coat of arms. Unfortunately, when Major Alexander Joass of Colleonard (1732-1794) passed away without a male heir, this legacy ended. To this end, this Joass motto had become forgotten about for 227 years. This was until 2021 when a direct descendant of William Joass, David Joyce the clan chief of Clan Joyce of Ulster, officially adopted this motto for the clan. Later that year, it and the accompanying chiefly coat of arms was voted into the clan constitution.
Cogit Amor, however, cannot stand alone, and like all Scottish clan mottos, it is attached to the clan chief’s coat of arms. Now forever recognized as the Clan Joyce of Ulster coat of arms, all members can proudly use the motto along with the accompanying clan crest badge. And similar to other Scottish Clans and their coat of arms, the symbolism on the CJU coat of arms has deeper meanings. The main color of this heraldic device is green to represent Ireland. The open bible which is the crest was inspired by the crest which was adopted by Laird William Joass (1632-1707) 349 years before. The tree is symbolic of the ever-expending branches of CJU and is only enhanced by the Red Hand of Ulster. Together, both symbols highlight that the genealogical mission to research the Ulster-Scot Joyces is crucial to the clan’s existence.
For administrative purposes, this historic coat of arms will represent CJU for future generations, even when the current Clan Chief passes away. Forever attached to the clan's genealogical mission, it is highly significant since it is a reminder of the founding of CJU.