Map of Scotland showing where the Mcnaughton arms are recorded
The Mcnaughton arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
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 Mcnaughton 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 Mcnaughton Family in Scotland
The surname McNaughton originates from the Gaelic name Mac Neachdainn, which translates to son of Neachtan. The name Neachtan itself is rooted in ancient Celtic history and is often associated with the meaning of pure or holy. By the mid-18th century, members of the family were well-established in the city of Edinburgh, where they participated in the professional and social life of Scotland’s capital. During this period, the family name was carried by individuals who navigated the rapid urban growth and intellectual shifts of the Scottish Enlightenment. While the name has deep roots in the western Highlands, the presence of the McNaughtons in Edinburgh by 1748 reflects a broader trend of families moving toward the city to seek new opportunities in trade, law, and education.
Mcnaughton Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Neachdainn
Son of Nechtan, derived from the Pictish word for pure or clean.
This name
McnaughtonA Scottish Gaelic patronymic surname signifying descent from a person named Nechtan.
also spelled
McNaughten
MacNaghten
MacNaughton
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
handFaith, sincerity and justice
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
handFaith, sincerity and justice
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
