A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mcalpine family of Ireland.
Reg. 5726 · Irish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. on a mount vert a fir tree ppr. surmounted by a Highland broadsword, or claymore, on the point of which in dexter fess point a royal crown of Scotland all ppr. on a canton az. a trefoil slipped or, for MAC ALPINE; 2nd and 3rd, ar. a shakefork gu. betw. a trefoil slipped vert in chief, and in fess two mullets sa., for CUNNINGHAM”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Mcalpine Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Mcalpine arms are recorded
The Mcalpine arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Mcalpine arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Mcalpine Family in Ireland
The name McAlpine originates from the Gaelic phrase *Mac Ailpein*, which translates to the son of Alpin. Historically, the family is deeply connected to the ancient royal lineage of the Scots, tracing their roots back to Kenneth MacAlpin, the first king of a united Scotland in the ninth century. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had expanded their reach across the Irish Sea. Records confirm that members of the McAlpine family were firmly established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, the family likely integrated into the professional and merchant classes of the city, navigating the complex political landscape of Ireland while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. Their presence in Dublin reflects a broader pattern of movement between Scotland and Ireland that defined the social and economic history of the British Isles during the seventeenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Ailpein
Son of Ailpein, a name derived from the Pictish word for elf.
This name
McalpineRefers to the son of the descendant of Ailpein, an ancient Scottish and Irish royal lineage.
also spelled
McAlpine
Macalpyne
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 Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Skene, William F., Celtic Scotland: A History of Ancient Alban, 1876
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
