A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hannay family of Scotland.
Reg. 8167 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. three roebucks' heads couped az. collared or, a bell pendent from each collar”
KirkcudbrightMochrum · Kirkcudbright, c. 1630
Where the Hannay Arms Were Recorded
Kirkcudbright
Map of Scotland showing where the Hannay arms are recorded
The Hannay arms were recorded in Kirkcudbright, c. 1630.
Kirkcudbright was Scotland's south-western corner, farming country facing the Irish Sea. Its lairds held small estates for generations, and long holding is what fills a register.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Scotland when the Hannay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Kirkcudbright.
Origin & History of the Hannay Family in Scotland
The Hannay family name originates from the Galloway region of southwestern Scotland, where the clan established deep roots over many centuries. The name is believed to be of Gaelic origin, likely derived from the word *o h-Annaidh*, which refers to a descendant of a person named Annadh. By the early seventeenth century, the family had a significant presence in the town of Kirkcudbright. Historical records from 1630 confirm that members of the Hannay family were active participants in the local community and legal life of this coastal burgh. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the social and political structure of the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, often serving in local administrative roles and managing lands throughout the surrounding countryside. Their long-standing residence in this area helped shape the regional identity of Galloway and established the family as a notable fixture in Scottish local history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Seannach
A Gaelic term referring to a wise person or storyteller.
This name
HannayDerived from the Gaelic word for a wise man or chronicler of history.
also spelled
Hanney
Related arms
Hanney, or Haneyvariant spelling
Dunbarrecorded with Hannay, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Kirkcudbright Burgh Records, B26/1
Reid, Robert C., Wigtownshire Charters, 1960
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
