A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mckenzie family of France.
Reg. 3660 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fireZeal and purification
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
legStrength and swiftness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 à un volcan au nat. en abime, vomissant des flammes (Macleod); au 2 d'azur à un rencontre de cerf d'or (Mackenzie); au 3 de gu. à trois jambes, arm. et éperonnées, posées en pairle et réunies par les cuisses sur le coeur du quartier, le tout au nat. (ile de Man); au 4 d'arg. au pal de sa., ch. d'une couronne royale d'or, le tout enclos dans une bord. fleur. et c.-fleur. de gu. (Erskine d'Innerdale). C.: un soleil d'or. T.: deux sauvages de carn., ceints et cour. de lierre, portant chacun une massue sur son épaule. D.: LUCEO, NON URO.”
Francec. 1685
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Map of France showing where the Mckenzie arms are recorded
The Mckenzie arms were recorded in France, c. 1685.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIV of France
1643–1715
Reigning in France when the Mckenzie arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Mckenzie Family in France
The surname McKenzie originates from the Gaelic name Mac Coinnich, which translates to the son of the fair or handsome one. While the name is most famously associated with the rugged Highlands of Scotland, historical records confirm that members of the family were present in the region of Bretagne, France, by 1685. This migration was likely driven by the political and religious instability of the late seventeenth century, which forced many families to seek refuge across the English Channel. Once in France, these individuals often adapted their names and traditions to fit into their new communities while maintaining their ancestral identity. This movement highlights the resilience of the family as they navigated life in a different culture during a period of significant European upheaval.
Mckenzie Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Coinnich
Gaelic patronymic meaning son of the fair or comely one.
This name
MckenzieA Scottish surname derived from Gaelic indicating descent from a handsome or attractive ancestor.
also spelled
Mackensie
Mckenzie
McKenzie
Kenzie
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
Way, George and Squire, Romilly, Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia, 1994
Archives départementales du Finistère, Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil, 1685
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fireZeal and purification
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
legStrength and swiftness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
fireZeal and purification
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
legStrength and swiftness
crownSovereignty, authority and just reward
