Map of Scotland showing where the Mccleery arms are recorded
The Mccleery arms were recorded in Gardin, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
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 Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Mccleery arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Mccleery Family in Scotland
The surname McCleery is a variation of the Gaelic name Mac Gille Riabhaich, which translates to the son of the brindled or grey-haired lad. This name originated in the rugged regions of Galloway and the Scottish Lowlands, where families often identified themselves by the physical traits or characteristics of their ancestors. By the mid-eighteenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. This shift from rural areas to the capital city was common during the 1700s as Scotland experienced a period of rapid urban growth and economic change. As the family settled in Edinburgh by 1748, they became part of the vibrant social and professional life of a city that was quickly becoming a center for the Scottish Enlightenment. Their transition from the countryside to the heart of the capital reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities in trade and civic life during this transformative era in Scottish history.
Mccleery Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Gille Riabhaigh
Son of the brindled or grey-haired servant or devotee.
This name
MccleeryDerived from Gaelic, signifying a descendant of a person dedicated to a grey-haired or swarthy saint.
also spelled
McChlery
Macclery
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Register of Testaments. 1748
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
