A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Maciel family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1523 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'arg., mantel-ployé de sa.; l'arg. ch. d'une fleur-de-lis de gu.; le sa. ch. de deux griffons affr. d'or, cour. du même, supp. une croix de Lorraine d'arg. soutenue d'une couronne princière. Trois cq. cour. C.: 1° un griffon iss. et cont. d'or, cour. du même, supp. de ses pattes un miroir carré d'azur, encadré d'or; 2° sept. pl. d'aut.: de gu., d'arg., de gu., d'or, de sa., d'or et de sa.; 3° un griffon iss. d'or, cour. du même, supp. de ses pattes une croix de Lorraine d'arg. L.: à dextre d'or et de sa., à sen. d'arg. et de gu.”
Francec. 1620
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Map of France showing where the Maciel arms are recorded
The Maciel arms were recorded in France, c. 1620.
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 XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1617–1643
Reigning in France when the Maciel 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 Maciel Family in France
The family name Maciel has deep roots in the Brittany region of France, where records confirm members of the family were established by the year 1620. During this period, Brittany functioned as a distinct province with a unique cultural identity that blended Celtic traditions with French administrative life. Families like the Maciels often lived in rural parishes where they worked as landowners or skilled tradespeople, contributing to the local economy and social structure of the coastal towns. As the seventeenth century progressed, the name became associated with the steady growth of the region, reflecting the lives of individuals who navigated the changing political landscape of the French monarchy. By maintaining their presence in the area, these early family members helped preserve the local customs and historical continuity that defined life in western France during the early modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a tower sa. surmounted by a scaling ladder in bend or”
GuernseyGuernsey, c. 1688
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The body that granted and recorded arms in Guernsey in this period.
James II of England
Sovereign of the period
James II of England
1685–1688
Reigning in France when the Maciel arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Guernsey
Arms in the Channel Islands were granted and recorded by the College of Arms in London, under the same law of arms as England. They could be used by all legitimate descendants of the original owner: the eldest son kept the original design, and other family members used the same shield without registering a version of their own.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms for Guernsey and the other Channel Islands since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Guernsey.
Origin & History of the Maciel Family in Guernsey
The Maciel family first appeared in the historical records of Guernsey in 1688, marking the beginning of their long presence on the island. While the name itself has roots in the Iberian Peninsula, its arrival in the Channel Islands was likely shaped by the complex maritime trade routes and religious migrations that defined the seventeenth century. By settling in Guernsey, the family integrated into a unique society that functioned under its own legal traditions while maintaining strong ties to both England and France. Early members of the family were often involved in the local merchant community, navigating the challenges of island life and the geopolitical tensions of the era. Their ability to establish a foothold in such a distinct coastal environment suggests they were adaptable people who quickly became part of the social fabric of the island. Over the following generations, the Maciel name became a quiet but steady part of Guernsey’s demographic history, reflecting the broader movement of families across European waters during the late 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Macellus
Derived from the Latin word for a small hammer or mallet.
This name
MacielA patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named after a small hammer.
also spelled
Mausel
Mosel
Mausell
Mauselle
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d’Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1937
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
griffinValour and vigilance, guarding great treasure
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
ladderAmbition, and a fearless assault
