Map of France showing where the Maginnis arms are recorded
The Maginnis arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Maginnis 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 Maginnis Family in France
The family name Maginnis has deep roots that trace back to the Gaelic traditions of Ireland, where it originated as a surname meaning son of Aonghus. While the name is famously associated with the powerful clans of County Down, the family history expanded significantly during the eighteenth century due to political and social shifts in Europe. By 1725, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the region of Bretagne in France. This migration was likely part of the movement of Irish families who sought new opportunities or religious refuge on the continent during a time of great upheaval. These early settlers in France integrated into their new surroundings while maintaining their distinct cultural identity, marking a transition from their ancestral Irish lands to the coastal communities of western France.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aonghus
Derived from the Gaelic elements meaning one and choice or force.
This name
MaginnisA patronymic surname signifying the son of the descendant of Aonghus.
also spelled
Maginnis
Magenis
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
O'Hart, John, Irish Pedigrees; or, The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation, 1892
Archives Départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
