Map of England showing where the Mackillop arms are recorded
The Mackillop arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Mackillop arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales 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 England.
Origin & History of the Mackillop Family in England
The surname MacKillop originates from the Gaelic language, where it is typically translated as "son of Philip." While the name is most famously associated with the Scottish Highlands and the Hebrides, the presence of the family in York by 1620 suggests a long history of migration and movement across the British Isles. During the early seventeenth century, families often moved between Scotland and Northern England for trade, religious reasons, or to seek new opportunities in growing urban centers. The MacKillops in York were part of a broader pattern of Scottish families establishing roots in English cities during this era. By settling in a major administrative and religious hub like York, these early ancestors likely integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. This transition from their Gaelic-speaking origins to the social landscape of Northern England highlights the adaptability of the family name as it spread beyond its traditional ancestral lands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Fhilib
Son of Philip, derived from the Greek name Philippos meaning horse lover.
This name
MackillopA Scottish and Irish patronymic surname signifying descent from a person named Philip.
also spelled
McKillop
Killop
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
Bardsley, Charles Wareing. A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames. 1901
The National Archives (UK). State Papers Domestic, James I. Series SP 14
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
