Map of Scotland showing where the Mcqueen arms are recorded
The Mcqueen arms were recorded in Inverness, c. 1748.
Inverness was the largest Highland county, clan country of glens and long sea lochs. Chiefs recorded arms to mark the head of a family, and cadet branches recorded their own to show their place.
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 Mcqueen 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 Inverness.
Origin & History of the Mcqueen Family in Scotland
The surname McQueen originates from the Gaelic name Mac Shuibhne, which translates to son of Suibhne. The name Suibhne itself is derived from a Norse term meaning well-going or pleasant. This reflects the deep historical connection between the Gaelic-speaking populations of the Scottish Highlands and the Norse settlers who arrived in the region centuries earlier. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in the Inverness area. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the McQueen family were living and working in this northern hub during a time of significant political and social change in Scotland. As the family grew, they became deeply integrated into the culture of the Highlands, often associated with the broader Clan Donald or as a distinct sept within the rugged landscape of the north. Their history is tied to the transition of Highland society as it moved from a traditional clan-based structure toward the modern era.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
pegasusFame, eloquence and swift renown
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Vert a pegasus saliant ar. a chief or, quartering POTTER, viz., Sa. a fesse erm. betw. three cinquefoils ar”
BedfordBedford, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Mcqueen arms are recorded
The Mcqueen arms were recorded in Bedford, c. 1620.
Bedfordshire was small, flat farming country close to London. Its manors were held by middling families rather than great ones, but a manor was a manor, and holding one brought arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Mcqueen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Bedford.
Origin & History of the Mcqueen Family in England
The surname McQueen is primarily of Scottish Gaelic origin, derived from the name Mac Shuibhne, which translates to son of Suibhne. While the family roots are deeply tied to the Scottish Highlands and the Western Isles, members of the family began to migrate south into England during the early seventeenth century. By 1620, historical records confirm the presence of McQueen families residing in the county of Bedford. During this era, families often moved across the border to seek new opportunities in trade, agriculture, or service as the political landscape of the British Isles shifted. These early settlers in Bedford were part of a broader movement of people who brought their northern traditions and family names into the English heartland, where they gradually integrated into local parish life and community records.
Mcqueen Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Mac Shuibhne
Gaelic patronymic meaning son of Suibhne, a name derived from pleasant.
This name
McqueenA Scottish surname meaning son of the pleasant or well-disposed one.
also spelled
McQueen
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Dwelly, Edward. The Illustrated Gaelic-English Dictionary. 1901
National Records of Scotland. Inverness Presbytery Records, CH2/191
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
wolfReward from long service and hard work
wolfReward from long service and hard work
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
pegasusFame, eloquence and swift renown
cinquefoilHope and joy
