Map of Scotland showing where the Meehan arms are recorded
The Meehan 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 Meehan 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 Meehan Family in Scotland
The surname Meehan is of ancient Gaelic origin, rooted in the Irish name Ó Miadhacháin, which translates to a descendant of Miadhachán, a name meaning honorable or noble. While the family is most famously associated with County Clare and County Fermanagh in Ireland, the presence of Meehans in Edinburgh by 1748 highlights the long history of migration between Ireland and Scotland. During the eighteenth century, many Irish families moved to Scottish urban centers to seek new opportunities in trade, labor, and industry. These early settlers often integrated into the local community while maintaining their distinct cultural identity. By establishing themselves in Edinburgh during this period, the Meehan family became part of the growing Irish diaspora that helped shape the social and economic landscape of Scotland’s capital city.
Meehan Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Miadhacháin
Derived from the Gaelic word for honorable or noble.
This name
MeehanA patronymic surname signifying a descendant of the honorable or noble one.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Births and Baptisms, 1748
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cinquefoilHope and joy
