Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à un escalier de trois marches d'or, posé en pal. D.: VIRTUS COELI GRADUS.”
A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mcaloon family of France.
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)“D'azur à un escalier de trois marches d'or, posé en pal. D.: VIRTUS COELI GRADUS.”

The Mcaloon arms were recorded in Provence, c. 1663.
Provence was old country, with towns dating to the Romans and families who traced their land back nearly as far. Its gentry were many and long-settled, and long settlement is what fills a register.
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.
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.
The family name McAloon is rooted in the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, where it originated as a variation of the name Mac Giolla Eoin, meaning son of the servant of Saint John. While the name is deeply connected to the history of Ulster, members of the family expanded their reach across Europe during the seventeenth century. Historical records confirm that individuals bearing this name were established in the Provence region of France by 1663. This migration suggests that early family members were likely involved in the military service or trade networks that linked Ireland to the continent during this era. By settling in southern France, these ancestors navigated a period of significant political upheaval, successfully integrating into a new culture while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity.
Devotee of Saint John