A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mctaggart family of Scotland.
Reg. 8316 · Scottish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a bend sa. betw. two owls ppr”
ScotlandLondon, c. 1796
Where the Mctaggart Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Mctaggart arms are recorded
The Mctaggart arms were recorded in London, c. 1796.
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 III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Scotland when the Mctaggart 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 Mctaggart Family in Scotland
The surname McTaggart originates from the Gaelic language, specifically derived from the phrase *Mac an t-sagairt*, which translates to "son of the priest." During the medieval period in Scotland, clerical celibacy was not strictly enforced in the same way it was elsewhere, allowing priests to marry and have families. This led to the emergence of several distinct clans and family lines who adopted the name to signify their descent from a local church leader. By the time the family was documented in Edinburgh in 1796, the name had already spread from its traditional roots in the Scottish Highlands and Galloway. These early Edinburgh residents were part of a growing urban population during the Scottish Enlightenment, a time when many families moved into the capital to participate in the city's expanding trade, legal, and intellectual sectors.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac an t-Sagairt
Gaelic phrase meaning son of the priest.
This name
MctaggartRefers to the descendant of a cleric or a member of the clergy.
also spelled
Tagart
Taggart
Mactaggart
Mctaggart
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, Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh, 1796
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
owlWisdom and vigilance by night
