A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mccourt family of Scotland.
Reg. 7947 · Scottish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Vert in front of a lance in pale or, a stag trippant ar. attired gold, betw. three crosses crosslet of the second, two and one, and as many trefoils slipped of the third, one and two”
ScotlandChief, c. 1732
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Map of Scotland showing where the Mccourt arms are recorded
The Mccourt arms were recorded in Chief, c. 1732.
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 Mccourt 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 Mccourt Family in Scotland
The surname McCourt is primarily rooted in the Gaelic tradition, originating as an Anglicized version of the Irish name Mac Cuarta. This name translates to son of the short or stunted person, which likely served as a descriptive nickname for an early ancestor. While the name has deep ties to the northern regions of Ireland, members of the family migrated across the Irish Sea to Scotland over many centuries. By 1732, records confirm that the McCourt family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. During this period, the city was a bustling center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the McCourts were often involved in the growing trades and professional life of the urban landscape. This migration pattern reflects the long history of movement between Ireland and Scotland, which helped shape the family identity as it transitioned into the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Cuarta
Son of the fourth person or son of the court.
This name
MccourtA Scottish and Irish patronymic surname indicating descent from a person named Cuarta.
also spelled
McCurtain
McCurtin
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
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Register of Marriages, 1701–1750. Record Series OPR 685/1
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
cross symbolChristian faith and service
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
