A motto (from the Italian for pledge, sentence; plural mottos or mottoes)'s a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin's the most used. The local language's usual in the mottos of governments. Heraldry In heraldry, a motto's often depicted on a scroll in an achievement of arms, typically below the shield or else above the crest as in Scots heraldry. In English and Scottish heraldry mottoe… (More on Motto)