A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Macaulay family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1175 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à deux flèches d'arg., passées en saut., les pointes en bas, acc. de deux fermaux d'or, 1 en chef et 1 en p.; à deux burèles comp. d'or et d'azur, br. sur le tout; l'écu entouré d'une bord. engr. d'or. C.: une botte au nat., éperonnée d'or, le pied en bas, posée sur une terrasse rocheuse au nat. S.: deux hérons, au nat. D.: DULCE PERICULUM.”
Francec. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Macaulay arms are recorded
The Macaulay arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
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.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Macaulay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
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.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Macaulay Family in France
The family name Macaulay carries a unique history that connects the rugged landscapes of Scotland to the coastal regions of France. While the name is deeply rooted in Gaelic traditions, records confirm that members of the family established a presence in the province of Bretagne by 1725. During this period, many individuals from the British Isles moved to France due to political unrest and shifting religious loyalties. These early settlers in Bretagne often integrated into local society by adapting their surnames to fit French phonetic patterns while maintaining their distinct cultural identity. Their arrival in the region suggests a history of migration driven by trade, military service, or the pursuit of new opportunities in continental Europe. By settling in the port towns and rural communities of Bretagne, the family became part of a long tradition of cross-cultural exchange between the Celtic nations and the French mainland.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Gu. two arrows in saltire ar. surmounted of a fess chequy of the second and first betw. three buckles or”
ArgyllArdincaple · Argyll, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Macaulay arms are recorded
The Macaulay arms were recorded in Argyll, c. 1748.
Argyll was Highland sea country of islands and long lochs, held by clan families. Chiefs recorded arms to mark the head of a line, and the branches recorded their own to show where they stood.
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.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in France when the Macaulay 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 Argyll.
Origin & History of the Macaulay Family in Scotland
The name Macaulay originates from the Gaelic phrase *Mac Amhalghaidh*, which translates to the son of Amhalghaidh. This name was historically associated with several distinct clans across Scotland, most notably in the Western Isles and the mainland region of Argyll. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a firm presence in Argyll, where they lived as part of the complex social structure of the Scottish Highlands. During this era, families often held land through traditional kinship ties and supported local clan leaders in regional disputes. While the name appears in various locations, the branch settled in Argyll by 1748 reflects the broader movement of Highland families who navigated the political and economic shifts occurring throughout Scotland during the eighteenth century. These early ancestors were deeply connected to the landscape and the Gaelic culture that defined the region for generations.
Macaulay Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Amhalghaidh
Gaelic patronymic meaning son of the descendant of Amhalghaidh.
This name
MacaulayDerived from a Gaelic personal name meaning bright or prosperous leader.
also spelled
Macauley
Macawlay
Makoli
McAulay
Related arms
Birmannsimilar arms
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales du Finistère, Série B, Fonds de l'Amirauté de Quimper
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Meyer, Jean, La noblesse bretonne au XVIIIe siècle, 1966
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
