A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mc Neill family of France.
Reg. 2919 · French, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Ec.: aux 1 et 4 d'azur au lion d'arg.; au 2 coupé-ondé: a. d'arg. à une main sen. appaumée de gu., en fasce, les doigts à sen.; b. d'azur à un saumon nageant d'arg.;”
Francec. 1867
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Map of France showing where the Mc Neill arms are recorded
The Mc Neill arms were recorded in France, c. 1867.
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.
Napoleon III
Sovereign of the period
Napoleon III
1852–1870
Reigning in France when the Mc Neill 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 Mc Neill Family in France
The name McNeill is rooted in the Gaelic language, where it translates to the son of Niall, a name meaning champion or cloud. While the family is most famously associated with the rugged islands of Scotland, their history is marked by movement and adaptation across different regions. By the year 1867, records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in the Brittany region of France. This migration highlights the family’s long history of travel and their ability to integrate into new cultures while maintaining their distinct identity. Whether they were moving for trade, military service, or personal exploration, these early ancestors helped spread the name far beyond its original Highland home. Their journey reflects a broader pattern of families who left their ancestral lands to find new opportunities in the changing landscape of nineteenth-century Europe.
Mc Neill Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Niall
An ancient Gaelic term meaning champion or cloud.
This name
Mc NeillRefers to the son of a champion or descendant of the cloud.
also spelled
Mcneil
Macneill
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
Departmental Archives of Ille-et-Vilaine, État civil de Bretagne, 1867
Sellar, W. D. H., The Origins and Ancestry of Somerled, 1966
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
fishA true and generous mind, and Christian faith
