Conor McGregor's Necklace: The Story Behind the Crowned Lion

For years, Conor McGregor wore a lion. A lion's head on a chain, worn in and out of the Octagon, became as much a part of his look as the suits and the beard.

So CRAFTD's founder, Alex Cannon, made him one of his own: a custom, engraved crowned lion pendant in solid gold. This is the story behind the Conor McGregor necklace, what the crowned lion means, the chains he's known for wearing now, and how to wear the look yourself.

The lion has been McGregor's symbol for years. Featured: our Lion pendant in gold, layered with a Cuban chain.

Jump to:

• The Conor McGregor necklace
• The story behind it
• What the crowned lion means
• What McGregor wears now
• His other famous chains
• How to get the look
• FAQs

The Conor McGregor Necklace

McGregor's signature necklace is a crowned lion pendant: a lion's head wearing a crown, on a gold chain. The version CRAFTD made for him is:

• Solid gold, rather than plated.
• Custom, made for him alone rather than taken from a collection.
• Engraved, built around the crowned lion of the McGregor crest.

It's a one-off. But the design language behind it, a hand-carved lion's head, is the same one our Lion pendant is built on.

A hand-carved lion's head, the same design language as McGregor's piece. Featured: the Lion pendant.

The Story Behind It

McGregor had worn a lion pendant for years. Alex noticed, and decided to make him a better one: the lion he already wore, given the crown from his family name, and made in solid gold.

In April 2021, McGregor showed it to his son, Conor Jr., in a video he shared from a day at the beach. He held the pendant up so his son could see it, asked him what it was, and explained the design himself: "It's a lion's head with a crown on it. Because we are kings."

That's the whole idea of a piece like this. It isn't decoration. It's a symbol you choose because it means something, and a reminder you carry with you every day. Our guide to the most powerful pendants for men covers more of the symbols men choose to wear, and why.

What the Crowned Lion Means

The crowned lion comes from the McGregor name. McGregor is a Clan Gregor surname, and the clan's crest is a lion's head wearing a crown. Its motto, 'S Rìoghal Mo Dhream, translates as "Royal is my race".

Each half of the design carries its own meaning:

• The lion: strength, courage and presence. It's one of the oldest symbols in heraldry, and one of the most worn in men's jewellery.
• The crown: royalty and leadership. On a crest, it marks the lion as a king rather than just a fighter.

Put together, it says exactly what McGregor told his son. It's also why the lion and the crown work as separate pieces: our King's Crown pendant carries the second half of the crest on its own.

The crown is the other half of the crest. Featured: the King's Crown pendant.

What McGregor Wears Now

The lion hasn't gone anywhere, but these days McGregor is just as often seen wearing a cross. He's spoken openly about his Catholic faith, and in a 2024 interview with GQ Sports he showed the religious pieces he carries: pendants of St Michael the Archangel and a St Christopher medal, a gift from his family for protection when he travels.

It's a common shift. Plenty of men start with a symbol of strength and end up wearing a symbol of faith alongside it, or instead of it.

• The cross is the most worn religious symbol there is. Our guide to what a cross necklace means covers why men wear one, and the crucifix necklace explains the difference between a cross and a crucifix.
• St Michael is the protector, the archangel who defeats evil. See what the St Michael pendant means.
• St Christopher is the patron saint of travellers. See what the St Christopher necklace means.

St Michael, the protector, one of the saints McGregor has spoken about wearing. Featured: the St Michael pendant.

A cross on a fine chain, worn on its own. Featured: the Crucifix pendant.

His Other Famous Chains

McGregor has also been pictured in a heavy custom gold chain carrying the name of Proper No. Twelve, the Irish whiskey brand he launched. It's a bold statement piece, made for big occasions, while the lion and the cross are the pieces he wears day to day.

How to Get the Look

McGregor's piece was a one-off, but the look is easy to build.

Start with the lion

Our Lion pendant is a hand-carved lion's head, finished in 18K gold over a stainless steel core and sold on a 2mm chain. It also comes in silver.

The same lion in silver, for a cooler look. Featured: the Lion pendant in silver.

Choose the chain

A fine chain lets the pendant sit flat and do the talking. A 2mm to 3mm Connell, rope or Figaro is the classic choice. For more presence, layer the pendant under a heavier Cuban chain worn slightly shorter. Our chain length guide shows where each length sits.

A pendant on a fine chain, layered under something heavier. Featured: the Lion pendant.

Add the crown, or a saint

For the full crest, wear the lion with the King's Crown pendant on a second, shorter chain. For the look McGregor wears now, pair it with a Crucifix, a St Michael or a St Christopher.

St Christopher, patron saint of travellers. Featured: the St Christopher pendant.

Conor McGregor Necklace: FAQs

What necklace does Conor McGregor wear?

His best-known necklace is a crowned lion pendant, a lion's head wearing a crown, the crest of the McGregor surname. CRAFTD's founder made him a custom, engraved solid gold version in 2021. More recently he's often seen wearing religious pieces, including a cross and pendants of St Michael.

Who made Conor McGregor's lion necklace?

CRAFTD's founder, Alex Cannon. McGregor had worn a lion pendant for years, so Alex made him a custom, engraved version in solid gold, built around the crowned lion of the McGregor crest.

What does Conor McGregor's lion pendant mean?

It's the crest of the McGregor name: a lion's head wearing a crown. Clan Gregor's motto, 'S Rìoghal Mo Dhream, translates as "Royal is my race". For McGregor the lion stands for strength and the crown for royalty, which is how he described it to his son.

Is Conor McGregor's necklace real gold?

The crowned lion pendant CRAFTD made for him is solid gold. Our own Lion pendant shares the hand-carved lion's head design and is finished in 18K gold over a stainless steel core, so it's built for everyday wear.

Does Conor McGregor wear a cross?

Yes, often. McGregor has spoken about his Catholic faith, and in a 2024 interview he showed the religious pieces he carries, including pendants of St Michael and a St Christopher medal.

Can I buy Conor McGregor's necklace?

His piece was a one-off, made for him. Our Lion pendant shares the design, a hand-carved lion's head on a fine chain, and you can pair it with our King's Crown pendant for the full crest.

What chain goes best with a lion pendant?

A fine chain of 2mm to 3mm, such as a Connell, rope or Figaro, lets the pendant sit flat and do the talking. If you want more presence, layer it under a heavier Cuban chain at a shorter length.

Where to Go From Here

The best pendants carry a story, and McGregor's is a simple one: a symbol he'd worn for years, made into something that was his alone. You don't need a custom piece to wear yours with the same meaning.

Start with the Lion pendant, or browse all our men's pendants.