A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mcclain family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2875 · Britain, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ec.: au 1 d'or au lion de gu.; au 2 d'azur à une tour d'arg., sommée de trois tourelles de sa., maçonnée du même, portillé de gu., aj. de quatre pièces du même, deux fenêtres accostant la porte et les deux autres la surmontant; au 3 d'arg. à une galère au nat., les voiles ferlées; au 4 d'arg. à deux têtes d'aigle affr. de gu. en chef et un saumon nageant au nat. en p.”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Mcclain arms are recorded
The Mcclain arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
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.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Mcclain 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 Mcclain Family in Britain
The family name McClain has roots that trace back to the rugged landscapes of Scotland and Ireland, where it emerged as a variation of the Gaelic name Mac Gille Eathain. This name translates to the son of the servant of Saint John, reflecting the deep religious devotion common among families in the medieval period. By the year 1700, members of the family had established a presence in Kent, England, likely as part of the broader movement of people across the British Isles during a time of significant social and economic change. Settling in Kent placed the family in a region known for its rich agricultural history and its proximity to the trade routes leading into London. While the name began in the north, its transition into southern England shows how families adapted to new environments while maintaining their distinct ancestral identity. This migration pattern highlights the mobility of families during the early eighteenth century as they sought new opportunities in different parts of the country.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
handFaith, sincerity and justice
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, 1st, ar. a lion ramp. gu.; 2nd, az. a tower ar.; 3rd, or, a dexter hand couped in fesse gu. holding a cross crosslet fitchée az.; 4th, ar. a lymphad ppr. her sails furled, in base a salmon naiant ppr”
GloucesterKington House · Gloucester, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Mcclain arms are recorded
The Mcclain arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Britain when the Mcclain arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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 Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Mcclain Family in England
The history of the McClain name in England is deeply rooted in the social shifts of the early seventeenth century. While the name itself carries strong ties to Gaelic origins, records confirm that members of the family were established in the city of Gloucester by 1620. During this period, Gloucester was a bustling center of trade and religious reform, serving as a gateway for families moving between the rural countryside and the growing urban economy. Families like the McClains often integrated into the local merchant class or skilled trades, contributing to the city’s economic life during a time of significant political transition. By settling in this region, these early ancestors helped shape the local community, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the broader movement of people across the British Isles during the early modern era.
Mcclain Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Gille Eathain
Son of the servant of Saint John
This name
McclainA Scottish Gaelic surname derived from a patronymic indicating devotion to a religious figure.
also spelled
Maclane
McLaine
MacLean
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
lionCourage, strength and royalty
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
handFaith, sincerity and justice
