The Mcintyre Coat Of Arms: Unlocking Its Rich Heritage

what does mcintyre coat of arms

The McIntyre coat of arms is a topic with a rich history. The name McIntyre, with variations in spelling, is believed to have descended from Maurice Mac Neil, a nephew of Somerled, a 12th-century leader of the Scottish Gaels. The name is derived from the Gaelic Mac-an-T'saoir, which translates to son of the carpenter or son of a craftsman. The MacIntyres are a Highland Scottish clan, originally settling in the Hebrides before moving to the Scottish mainland, specifically Glen Noe, in the 13th or 14th century. The clan has a long and fascinating history filled with legends and notable figures, including poets, pipers, and even politicians.

Characteristics Values
Name McIntyre
Gaelic Name Mac an t-saoir
Meaning Son of the carpenter
Motto Per Ardua (Through Difficulties)
War Cry Cruachan (Ben Cruachan, a mountain near Loch Awe)
Symbolism Military fortitude and magnanimity; generosity; power and strength; faith, sincerity, and justice; a notable expedition by sea
Coat of Arms A shield divided into quarters with a red eagle, its wings outstretched; a ship with furled sails; a red hand grasping a blue cross; a cow, standing on two hooves, on either side of the shield

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The MacIntyre coat of arms features a hand holding a dagger

The MacIntyres settled in Glen Noe, in the Argyll region of western Scotland, in the 14th century. They are associated with Clan Campbell and served as hereditary foresters to the Lords of Lorne and hereditary pipers to the chiefs of Clan Menzies and the MacDonalds of Clanranald. The MacIntyres participated in military campaigns during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the Jacobite rising of 1745–46, fighting alongside the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden.

The MacIntyre coat of arms, featuring the hand holding a dagger, is a powerful symbol of this clan's history and heritage. The dagger itself represents power and strength, which is fitting for a clan with such a proud and resilient history.

It is important to note that, while the coat of arms is associated with the MacIntyre clan, under Scottish heraldic law, it is awarded to an individual. This means that there is no such thing as a 'family coat of arms'. The MacIntyre coat of arms belongs specifically to the individual to whom it was granted and that person has the sole right to use it.

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The MacIntyres are a Highland Scottish clan

At some point, the clan journeyed from the Hebrides to the Scottish mainland, where they settled at Glen Noe, in Ardchattan Parish, on the east side of Loch Etive. The MacIntyres are said to have become foresters to the Lords of Lorne in the 13th century, a hereditary post in which they continued as the territory subsequently passed from the MacDougalls to the control of the Stewarts and finally to the Campbells.

The MacIntyres participated in military campaigns during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the Jacobite rising of 1745–46 but did not operate as an independent body. Clan members served as hereditary pipers to the chiefs of Clan Menzies and the MacDonalds of Clanranald.

The MacIntyre Bard, Duncan Ban MacIntyre, is regarded as one of the finest Gaelic poets. He fought for the House of Hanover at the Battle of Falkirk in 1746 and was named bard to the Highland Society of London.

In 1990, Scotland's heraldic authority, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, recognised MacIntyre of Glenoe as Chief of the Name and Arms of the name MacIntyre. The current chief of the clan is Donald Russell MacIntyre of Glenoe.

The MacIntyre clan crest is a dexter hand holding a dagger, and the clan motto is 'Per Ardua' (Through Difficulties).

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The name MacIntyre means son of a carpenter

The name MacIntyre is a Scottish and Irish surname derived from the Gaelic "Mac an tSaoir", which literally translates to "son of the craftsman or mason". However, it is more commonly known to mean "son of the carpenter". The name evolved for a person who worked as a carpenter or wright.

The name has its origins in Scottish history, dating back to the kingdom of Dalriada. Most historians agree that the earliest MacIntyres inhabited the MacDonald territories on Kintyre. Legends suggest that the Clan-an-t-Saor (Children of the Carpenter) arrived in Lorne in a galley with a white cow. Another legend states that a galley, set adrift, developed a leak below the waterline, and the MacDonald Chieftain placed his thumb in the hole to keep the boat afloat. Upon spotting help, he cut off his thumb to wave for assistance and was ironically named the Carpenter or MacIntyre.

In ancient Irish annals, the first abbot of Clonmacnoise, Saint Ciarán (c. 516– c. 549), Ciarán mac an tSaeir ("son of the carpenter"), is the oldest known record of the name. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland.

The name MacIntyre is also associated with the Gaelic MacAntSaoir, which was Anglicised into various spellings such as McIntyre, McEntire, McIntire, and McAteer. The name is common in Ulster and the Scottish Highlands, and in Ireland, it is predominantly found in the counties of Donegal, Londonderry, Tyrone, and Sligo.

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The MacIntyres settled in Glen Noe in the 14th century

The MacIntyres settled in Glen Noe in Argyllshire in the 14th century. The clan's name means "son of the carpenter" or "son of the wright" in Scottish Gaelic, and their history is steeped in myth and legend.

According to one legend, the MacIntyres arrived in Glen Noe after a long journey from the Hebrides. They were seeking fresh pastures for their cattle when they were met by a mountain spirit or spectre, known as the Spirit of Cruachan. This spirit tested their courage and, satisfied with their bravery, guided them to a suitable place to settle. The Spirit instructed them to make their new home where a white cow in their herd lay down to rest. This site became known as Glen Noe, meaning "the new glen".

Another legend suggests that the MacIntyres descended from Maurice Mac Neil, a nephew of Somerled, the 12th-century leader of the Scottish Gaels. Maurice secured the marriage of Somerled to the daughter of the King of Mann and the Isles through a clever strategy. He sabotaged the king's galley by boring holes in the hull and plugging them with wax. As the galley began to sink, Maurice promised to save the king on the condition that he consented to the marriage. The pact was sealed, and Maurice became known as the 'wright' or 'carpenter', with his descendants known as the MacIntyres.

The MacIntyres held the lands of Glen Noe for centuries, serving as foresters to the Lords of Lorn and later becoming tenants of the powerful Clan Campbell. Their rent included symbolic payments of a snowball from the high corries of Ben Cruachan and a fatted calf at Christmas. However, over time, these symbolic payments were replaced by monetary rent, which increased to the point that the MacIntyres could no longer afford it.

In 1806, the MacIntyres were forced to relinquish their tenancy of Glen Noe and emigrate to the United States, where their descendants continue to reside. Today, the lands of Glen Noe lie deserted, accessible only by boat and a long hike.

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The MacIntyres are associated with Clan Campbell

The MacIntyres are a Highland Scottish clan, one of the oldest of all Scottish clans, and their name means "son of the carpenter" or "wright" in Gaelic. Their origins are steeped in myth and legend, with historians debating their original homeland. Some believe the MacIntyres originated on the Isle of Skye, while others claim they came from Islay before settling in Glen Noe, Argyllshire.

The MacIntyres' historical association with Clan Campbell began when they became tenants of their neighbouring clan, submitting to their authority and paying rent. The MacIntyres had long occupied Glen Noe, but eventually became tenants of the Campbells of Glenorchy until 1806. The rent payable to the Campbell chiefs was a fatted calf at Christmas and a midsummer snowball from Ben Cruachan, a mountain bordering MacIntyre land. This mountain also gave the MacIntyres their battle cry, "Cruachan!".

Over time, the symbolic payment of a snowball and calf were replaced with monetary rent, which increased and became unaffordable for the MacIntyres. In 1806, the MacIntyre chief was forced to give up the tenancy of Glen Noe due to inability to pay. As a result, the chief and his family emigrated to the United States, where their descendants still reside.

The MacIntyres also have historical connections to the Campbells through marriage. Duncan MacIntyre of Glen Roe, the first MacIntyre chief, married Mary, daughter of Patrick Campbell of Barcaldine. Their son, Donald, succeeded him and had three children. James, the eldest, became the fourth chief of Glen Roe.

In addition to these associations, the MacIntyres served as hereditary foresters to the Lords of Lorne, an office they retained even as the territory changed hands from the MacDougalls to the Stewarts and eventually to the Campbells.

While the MacIntyres have a long history of association with Clan Campbell, they have also maintained their own distinct identity, with their own chiefs, coat of arms, and battle cry.

Frequently asked questions

The name McIntyre means "son of the carpenter" or "son of a craftsman". It is a Scottish Gaelic clan name, derived from the Gaelic "Mac an t-saoir".

The name McIntyre has its earliest origins in Scotland, specifically the kingdom of Dalriada. The earliest recorded clan chiefs, however, did not emerge until the 17th century.

The McIntyre coat of arms came into existence many centuries ago, possibly as early as the 11th century. The arms consist of a shield divided into quarters, featuring a red eagle, a ship with furled sails, a red hand grasping a blue cross, and a cow. The crest is a hand holding a dagger.

The coat of arms symbolises military fortitude, magnanimity, generosity, power, strength, faith, sincerity, and justice. The red eagle, in particular, signifies "The Martyr's Colour".

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