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Dum spiro spero (Latin "While I breathe, I hope") is the state mottos of South Carolina, adopted in 1776. On March 26, 1776, the Provincial Congress of South Carolina set up an independent government, and the motto formed a part of official great seal, created by W. H. Drayton.

Its notable origin however can be singularly found within the township of Saint Andrews, Fife, Scotland. Its attribution to Saint Andrew and his bones being taken to this small fishing village on the North Sea, contributed to its direct linkage between the saying, the town, and the Saint. It is also here that the Royal & Ancient golf club established and invented the sport-promulgating this motto, and the University Town & Gown bodies also accepted and published it as their standard.

Dum spiro spero has been the motto of the Scottish clan McLennan since at least the sixteenth century and many claim that this motto was used by the McLennan clan from the thirteenth century. It is also the family motto for the Liversidge family and variants, i.e. Liversage, Liversedge, etc, who drew their name from Liversedge in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

Dum spiro spero was the state motto for the Kingdom of Sarawak. It has also been adopted as the motto of the town of St Andrews in Scotland. It became a part of their coat of arms in 1978.

Dum Spiro Spero is the motto of the Principality of Hutt River, and appears on their coat of arms.

Dum spiro spero has been a family motto of the Doran family since 1567.

Dum spiro spero has been a family motto of the Bushell or Bussell family possibly since they held a family seat in Somerset. Some believe that the usage pre-dates other usages of the motto in the context of a family motto.

Dum spiro spero is also a motto of the Partridge family.

The phrase "Dum Spiro Spero, Endure Forte" is the clan motto for the Lindsay family of Scotland also. It is engraved in the garden walls at Edzell Castle in Edzell, Scotland.

" Dum Spiro Spero" is also the family motto of the Roberts Family. Their Coat of arms containing The Blazon of Azure on a shevron, or classic shield. For the Creast a noble eagle with Unicorns as the supporters for the Shield and an Ornate mantling with crowned knight as it's helm.

Dum Spiro Spero is also the family motto of these families:

• the Spearman family.
• the Dillon family.
• the Sharp family.
• the Mason family.
• the Casement family.
• the Hoar (Hoare) Family and is represented on their coat of arms.
• the Lennnon Family of Sioux City, Iowa and is represented on their coat of arms.
• the McElvaney Family
• the Hardinge Family

This quote is also found on the Citadel Ring (The Military College of South Carolina) in the state Seal for South Carolina