Map of Scotland showing where the Mcghie arms are recorded
The Mcghie arms were recorded in Kirkcudbright, c. 1748.
Kirkcudbright was Scotland's south-western corner, farming country facing the Irish Sea. Its lairds held small estates for generations, and long holding is what fills a register.
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 Mcghie 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 Kirkcudbright.
Origin & History of the Mcghie Family in Scotland
The name McGhie is a Scottish surname that finds its roots in the ancient Gaelic language. It is derived from the term Mac Gafraidh, which translates to the son of Godfrey. Historically, the family was most prominent in the region of Galloway in southwestern Scotland. By the mid-eighteenth century, the McGhies were well-established members of the local community in Kirkcudbright. Records from 1748 confirm their presence in this coastal town, where they were active participants in the social and economic life of the area. Over many generations, the family name evolved in spelling, but it remained closely tied to the rugged landscape of the Scottish Lowlands. These early ancestors helped shape the local history of Kirkcudbright through their work and their long-standing connections to the land.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eachaidh
Derived from the Gaelic word for a horseman or rider.
This name
McghieA patronymic surname meaning son of the horseman or son of the rider.
also spelled
MacGhee
McGhee
Ghie
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, Kirkcudbright Burgh Records, B26/1/1
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lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
