A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Maclaughlin family of Scotland.
Reg. 4837 · Scottish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per fess az. and gu. in chief a lion ramp. or, betw. two swords erect ar. pommel and hilt of the third, in base three crescents of the fourth, two and one”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Maclaughlin arms are recorded
The Maclaughlin 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 Maclaughlin 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 Maclaughlin Family in Scotland
The surname Maclaughlin is a variation of the Gaelic name Mac Lochlainn, which translates to son of Lochlann. The name Lochlann itself historically referred to a person from Scandinavia, specifically the land of the Vikings. By the mid-eighteenth century, families bearing this name had established a firm presence in the city of Edinburgh. In 1748, the city was a bustling center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Maclaughlins were part of the growing urban population that navigated the transition from traditional clan life to city living. These early residents were often involved in the skilled trades and professional sectors that defined the capital during this era of rapid social and economic change. Their presence in Edinburgh records from this time highlights how families moved from the Highlands and rural regions to contribute to the developing culture and industry of Scotland's capital city.
Maclaughlin Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Lochlainn
Son of the Viking or son of the Norseman.
This name
MaclaughlinDerived from a Gaelic personal name meaning land of the lakes or fjord.
also spelled
McLochlin
MacLaughlin
MacLaghlin
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
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Edinburgh, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
