Map of France showing where the Mcanany arms are recorded
The Mcanany arms were recorded in Dauphine, c. 1663.
Dauphine lay in the mountains of south-eastern France, a country of small estates and scattered valleys. Its gentry were many and mostly modest, and even a small landholding was enough to justify 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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Mcanany 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 Dauphine.
Origin & History of the Mcanany Family in France
The McAnany family name carries a history that stretches across borders, with significant early records placing family members in the Dauphiné region of France by 1663. While the name is often associated with Gaelic roots, its presence in this mountainous southeastern province suggests that the family was part of the complex migrations occurring in seventeenth-century Europe. During this era, the Dauphiné served as a crossroads for trade and political movement, often drawing families from diverse backgrounds into its local administration and agricultural life. By establishing themselves in this region during the mid-1600s, the early McAnanys became part of the local social fabric, likely adapting to the French language and customs while maintaining their distinct identity. This period of residence highlights the family's ability to integrate into new environments while leaving behind official traces that allow us to track their movement through history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac an anama
Gaelic phrase meaning son of the soul or spirit.
This name
McananyA surname of Irish origin denoting a descendant of a person characterized by spiritual depth.
also spelled
Manyan
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales de l'Isère, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Baudet, Maurice, Histoire du Dauphiné, 1972
Bligny, Bernard, Histoire des provinces françaises: Dauphiné, 1973
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
