A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Macky family of Scotland.
Reg. 9399 · Scottish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Paly of eight or and gu. over all a bend sinister az. charged with a crescent ar. betw. two stars of the first”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Macky Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Macky arms are recorded
The Macky 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.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Macky 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 Scotland.
Origin & History of the Macky Family in Scotland
The name Macky is a variant of the Scottish surname Mackay, which originates from the Gaelic phrase *Mac Aoidh*, meaning son of Aodh or son of fire. While the name is most famously associated with the far north of Scotland, members of the family were firmly established in Edinburgh by 1748. During the eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a major center for the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Mackys often participated in the city’s growing professional and merchant classes. As the name spread from the Highlands into the capital, it became part of the urban fabric of a city undergoing rapid intellectual and social change. By the mid-1700s, individuals bearing this name were contributing to the local economy and community life in Edinburgh, helping to transition the family legacy from its ancient clan roots into the modern era of Scottish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Aodha
Gaelic patronymic meaning son of Aodh, which translates to fire.
This name
MackyA Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic patronymic indicating descent from a person named Fire.
also spelled
Mackie
Mackey
Related arms
Mackievariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
