A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Logan family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
cinquefoilHope and joyJ. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'arg. à une quintefeuille de gu.”
The Logan arms were recorded in Bretagne, c. 1663.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Reigning in France when the Logan arms are first recorded.
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
The history of the Logan name in France is deeply tied to the region of Bretagne, where records confirm family members were established by 1663. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, its presence in northwestern France suggests a history of migration and integration into local society. During the seventeenth century, families in this coastal area were frequently involved in maritime trade, agriculture, or local administration. Living in Bretagne meant that these individuals were part of a distinct cultural landscape with its own traditions and language. Over time, the family became woven into the fabric of the local community, adapting to the social and economic shifts of the French provinces. By settling in this region, the early Logans contributed to the diverse heritage of the area while maintaining the identity that defined their lineage.
heartSincerity, charity and true affectionSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Or, three passion nails in point piercing a man's heart gu”
The Logan arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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.
Reigning in France when the Logan arms are first recorded.
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.
The surname Logan is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, originating as a locational name derived from lands in Ayrshire known as Logan. The name itself comes from the Gaelic word lagan, which translates to a small hollow or a sheltered valley. By the time members of the family were documented in Edinburgh in 1748, the name had already spread far from its original western roots. Historically, the Logans were influential figures who held significant estates and played active roles in the political and social life of the Scottish Lowlands. As the family moved toward urban centers like Edinburgh, they transitioned from being associated with specific rural territories to becoming part of the growing professional and merchant classes of the eighteenth century. This shift reflects the broader movement of Scottish families during that era as they sought new opportunities in the expanding capital city.
Gaelic term referring to a hollow or a small valley.
