A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Maclellan family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 8307 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'or à deux chev. de sa. C.: un avant-bras de carn., en pal, tenant un poignard aussi en pal, supp. de sa pointe une tête de More. T.: à dextre un homme d'armes, la visière levée, tenant de sa main dextre un bâton de commandement appuyé sur sa hanche; à sen. un cheval d'arg., bridé, houssé et sanglé de gu. D.: THINK ON.”
Francec. 1633
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Map of France showing where the Maclellan arms are recorded
The Maclellan arms were recorded in France, c. 1633.
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 Maclellan 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 Maclellan Family in France
The history of the Maclellan family in France is rooted in the movement of Scottish people across the sea during the seventeenth century. By 1633, records confirm that members of the family were living in the region of Bretagne. During this period, many Scots traveled to France to serve in the military or to engage in trade. These individuals often integrated into local society by forming connections with French families and participating in the regional economy. The presence of the Maclellan name in Bretagne highlights the long-standing ties between Scotland and France, which allowed families to settle and establish new lives far from their original homes. This migration pattern shows how people moved across borders to find new opportunities while maintaining their unique family identity in a different cultural landscape.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. two chev. sa. each charged with a plate”
EdinburghEdinburgh, c. 1685
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Map of Scotland showing where the Maclellan arms are recorded
The Maclellan arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1685.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in France when the Maclellan 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Maclellan Family in Scotland
The surname MacLellan has deep roots in the history of Scotland, originating from the Gaelic name Mac Gille Fhaolain, which translates to the son of the servant of Saint Fillan. While the family established a notable presence in Edinburgh by 1685, their influence stretched across various regions of the country long before that date. Historically, members of the clan were prominent in Galloway, where they held significant lands and played a role in the complex political landscape of the Scottish Borders. As the family moved into urban centers like Edinburgh, they transitioned from their traditional rural roles into positions within the growing administrative and professional classes of the capital. This migration reflected the broader shifts in Scottish society during the seventeenth century as the nation moved toward a more centralized government. By the time the name appears in the 1685 records of Edinburgh, the MacLellans had already secured a long legacy as a family deeply connected to the cultural and social development of their homeland.
Maclellan Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Gille Fhaolain
Son of the servant of Saint Fillan.
This name
MaclellanDerived from Gaelic origins denoting a descendant of a devotee of Saint Fillan.
also spelled
McLellan
MacLelland
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Michel, Francisque, Les Écossais en France, les Français en Écosse, 1862
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
