A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mcneilly family of France.
Reg. 6949 · 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 Mcneilly arms are recorded
The Mcneilly 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 Mcneilly 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 Mcneilly Family in France
The surname McNeilly is primarily recognized as a variant of the Scottish and Irish name Mac Néill, which translates to the son of Niall. While the name is deeply rooted in the Gaelic traditions of the British Isles, the family history expanded significantly during the nineteenth century as individuals moved across borders for work and stability. By 1867, records confirm that members of the McNeilly family had established a presence in the Brittany region of France. This migration was likely driven by the industrial and maritime connections between the coastal regions of the United Kingdom and northwestern France during that era. Settling in a new country required these early family members to adapt to a different language and culture while maintaining their distinct heritage. Their presence in Brittany highlights the mobility of families during this period and shows how the name traveled far beyond its original geographic origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Néill
Son of the champion or cloud
This name
McneillyA Gaelic patronymic surname derived from the personal name Niall, signifying a descendant of a warrior.
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
Archives départementales du Morbihan, État civil, registre des naissances, mariages et décès, 1867
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
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
