A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mcmullin family of France.
Reg. 5237 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
handFaith, sincerity and justice
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“D'arg. à deux mains de carn., mouv. des angles de la p., tenant chacun une épée au nat., garnie d'or, les épées croisées en saut. et acc. de trois hures de sanglier de gu., 1 en chef et 2 en flancs.”
FranceNew-York, c. 1725
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Map of France showing where the Mcmullin arms are recorded
The Mcmullin arms were recorded in New-York, c. 1725.
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 XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Mcmullin 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 Mcmullin Family in France
The family name McMullin is a variation of the Gaelic name Mac Maoláin, which translates to son of the bald or tonsured one. This name originally identified individuals who were associated with religious life or monastic orders in Ireland and Scotland. By the early 18th century, members of the family had migrated across the channel to the region of Bretagne in France. Historical records confirm their presence in this coastal area by 1725, likely as part of the movement of people fleeing political instability or seeking new opportunities in trade and maritime work. Settling in Bretagne allowed the family to integrate into a new culture while maintaining their distinct linguistic heritage. Over time, the spelling of the name adapted to fit the phonetic patterns of the regions where they lived, eventually becoming the version recognized today.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Maol
A Gaelic term referring to a tonsured servant or devotee.
This name
McmullinDerived from the son of the devotee of Saint Mullan.
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1985
Ó Corráin, Donnchadh and Maguire, Fidelma. Irish Names. 1981
Archives départementales du Finistère. Registres paroissiaux et d'état civil. 1725
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
handFaith, sincerity and justice
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
handFaith, sincerity and justice
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
