A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Macpherson family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 0040 · Britain, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Coupé d'or sur azur; à une galère d'or, br. sur le tout, les voiles ferlées; l'or ch. à dextre d'une main de gu. en fasce, tenant un poignard d'arg. en pal, et à sen. d'une croix recr. au pied fiché de gu. C.: un chat assis au nat., surm. de la D.: TOUCH NOT THE CAT, BUT A GLOVE. T.: deux montagnards écossais, coiffés de morions, et tenant chacun au bras un bouclier arrondi.”
Britainc. 1786
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Map of Britain showing where the Macpherson arms are recorded
The Macpherson arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1786.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Britain when the Macpherson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Macpherson Family in Britain
The name Macpherson originates from the Scottish Highlands, where it translates to "son of the parson." This indicates that the family line began with the descendants of a medieval cleric who held a position in the church. While the clan was historically rooted in the rugged landscapes of Badenoch, members of the family gradually migrated across Britain as trade and social opportunities expanded. By the late eighteenth century, records confirm that the family had established a presence in Kent by 1786. This movement reflects a broader trend of Scottish families relocating to the south of England during the Georgian era to pursue careers in commerce, administration, and the military. The transition from the remote Highlands to the bustling counties near London highlights the adaptability of the family as they integrated into the wider British society of the time.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per fesse or and az. a lymphad of the first, with her sails furled, oars in action, and mast and tackling all ppr. flags flying gu. in the dexter chief point a hand couped grasping a dagger, point upwards gu. in the sinister chief a cross crosslet fitchée of the last”
InvernessCluny · Inverness, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Macpherson arms are recorded
The Macpherson arms were recorded in Inverness, c. 1748.
Inverness was the largest Highland county, clan country of glens and long sea lochs. Chiefs recorded arms to mark the head of a family, and cadet branches recorded their own to show their place.
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 Britain when the Macpherson 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 Inverness.
Origin & History of the Macpherson Family in Scotland
The name Macpherson originates from the Gaelic phrase *Mac a' Phearsain*, which translates to "son of the parson." This indicates that the family line began with the descendants of a medieval churchman who served the local community. By the eighteenth century, the family had established a strong presence in the Inverness region of the Scottish Highlands. During this period, the Macphersons were deeply integrated into the complex social structure of the clan system. They were known for their resilience and their role in the turbulent political landscape of the time. While many families faced displacement during the mid-1700s, the Macphersons maintained their regional identity through strong kinship ties and a commitment to their ancestral lands. Their history reflects the broader transition of Highland society from a traditional clan-based culture to the more structured life of the modern era.
Macpherson Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac a' Phearsain
Gaelic for son of the parson
This name
MacphersonA Scottish patronymic surname denoting descent from a member of the clergy.
also spelled
McPherson
MacFerson
Related arms
M'Pherson, or Macphersonvariant spelling
Dougalrecorded with Macpherson, same area
Gordonrecorded with Macpherson, same area
Hunterrecorded with Macpherson, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Way, George and Squire, Romilly. Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. 1994
The National Archives, Kew. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
cross symbolChristian faith and service
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
handFaith, sincerity and justice
