A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mcintosh family of Scotland.
Reg. 3766 · Scottish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 and 4th, or, a lion ramp. gu.; 2nd and 3rd, or, a dexter hand couped fesseways, holding a dagger paleways in chief gu. and a galley, her oars saltireways in base sa. all within a bordure gu. Crest and Motto, as Mackintosh, of that Ilk”
InvernessKellachie · Inverness, c. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Scotland showing where the Mcintosh arms are recorded
The Mcintosh arms were recorded in Inverness, c. 1748.
Inverness was the largest Highland county, clan country of glens and long sea lochs. Chiefs recorded arms to mark the head of a family, and cadet branches recorded their own to show their place.
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 Mcintosh 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 Inverness.
Origin & History of the Mcintosh Family in Scotland
The surname McIntosh, which translates from Gaelic as "son of the leader" or "son of the chief," traces its roots to the ancient clans of the Scottish Highlands. The family was historically associated with the Chattan Confederation, a powerful alliance of clans that dominated the central Highlands for centuries. By the mid-eighteenth century, the McIntosh family had established a significant presence in the town of Inverness. This region served as a vital hub for trade and political activity in the north of Scotland. During this era, members of the family were deeply involved in the social and economic life of the town, often acting as merchants or local leaders. Their history is closely tied to the rugged landscape of the Highlands and the complex clan structures that defined Scottish society before the major cultural shifts of the late 1700s.
Mcintosh Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac an Toisich
Gaelic phrase meaning son of the chief or leader.
This name
McintoshA Scottish surname denoting a descendant of a tribal leader or headman.
also spelled
MacIntosh
McIntosh
Intosh
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Adam, Frank. The Clans, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands. 1908
Way of Plean, George and Squire, Romilly. Clans and Tartans. 1995
Highland Archive Centre, Inverness. Inverness Burgh Court Books
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
