Unraveling the Meaning of Heraldry: Irish vs. Scottish Coats of Arms
When tracing your family history, few discoveries feel as powerful as uncovering your family's coat of arms. These beautiful, intricate emblems often mistaken as just decorative shields are actually steeped in deep symbolism and centuries-old tradition. But what exactly is heraldry, and how do Irish coats of arms differ from Scottish ones? Let’s dive into the history, the meaning, and the unique features that define these ancestral symbols.
🌿 1. What Are Heraldry Symbols and Coats of Arms?
Heraldry is the practice of designing, displaying, and recording coats of arms and heraldic badges. Originally developed in the Middle Ages, heraldry was a way to identify warriors on the battlefield. Over time, it evolved into a visual language of status, family lineage, and personal achievement.
A coat of arms usually includes:
A shield with distinct patterns and colors (called “tinctures”)
A helmet or “helm” above the shield
A crest on top of the helmet, often an animal or object
Supporters, which are figures standing on either side (more common in Scottish heraldry)
A motto, expressing a family’s ideals or values
Each element carries a specific meaning—lions for bravery, eagles for leadership, hands for faith, trees for growth and longevity, etc. Together, these symbols told the story of a family’s identity, achievements, and aspirations.
☘️ 2. How Irish Heraldry Differs from Scottish Heraldry
Both Irish and Scottish heraldry share the broader framework of European heraldic tradition, but they have some key differences—rooted in culture, history, and clan structure.
🇮🇪 Irish Heraldry
In Ireland, heraldry was closely tied to the ancient Gaelic clan system, long before the Normans brought formal heraldic rules. Irish coats of arms often reflect:
Celtic motifs: Interwoven knots, harps, round towers, and crosses are common.
Symbols of kinship and land: Trees (especially the oak), castles, and animals such as deer or wolves reflect ancestral ties to specific regions.
Historical mottos in Latin or Irish: These often refer to freedom, resilience, or religious faith (e.g., "Fortis et hospitalis" – Brave and hospitable).
Use by families, not individuals: Irish arms often represented entire septs (branches of a clan), not just a single person. This makes Irish heraldry more inclusive, but also more generalised.
An example above: The O’Neill coat of arms famously features a red hand (Lámh Dhearg), a powerful Gaelic symbol of leadership and defiance.
🇮🇪 Irish Heraldry
In Ireland, heraldry was closely tied to the ancient Gaelic clan system, long before the Normans brought formal heraldic rules. Irish coats of arms often reflect:
Celtic motifs: Interwoven knots, harps, round towers, and crosses are common.
Symbols of kinship and land: Trees (especially the oak), castles, and animals such as deer or wolves reflect ancestral ties to specific regions.
Historical mottos in Latin or Irish: These often refer to freedom, resilience, or religious faith (e.g., "Fortis et hospitalis" – Brave and hospitable).
Use by families, not individuals: Irish arms often represented entire septs (branches of a clan), not just a single person. This makes Irish heraldry more inclusive, but also more generalised.
An example: The O’Neill coat of arms famously features a red hand (Lámh Dhearg), a powerful Gaelic symbol of leadership and defiance.
🏴 Scottish Heraldry
Scottish heraldry, on the other hand, developed under a more formalised system established by the Court of the Lord Lyon, which still exists today and has strict legal control over the use of arms.
Key differences include:
Individual ownership: In Scotland, a coat of arms is granted to a specific person, not a surname or family. You can’t claim a Scottish coat of arms unless it was legally granted to you or an ancestor.
Clan crests and mottos: Clan members often wear the crest badge (a strap and buckle design around the clan chief’s crest) as a symbol of allegiance.
Territorial symbolism: Arms often reference specific lands or battles—reflecting Scotland’s long history of regional conflict and autonomy.
More structured rules: Designs follow strict guidelines and can only be inherited or officially petitioned for.
For example, the MacDonald clan crest shows an arm holding a cross, with the motto "Per mare per terras" – By sea and by land.
Meaning Behind the Symbols
Whether Irish or Scottish, heraldry speaks a language all its own. Here's what some common elements might signify:
Symbol Meaning
Lion Courage and nobility
Harp (Irish) Cultural identity, music, harmony
Red Hand Leadership and Ulster heritage
Boar Fierce warrior, untamed spirit
Tree Family roots, endurance
Eagle Vision, authority
Tower/Castle Defense, family home
In Irish arms, the symbolism often focuses on clan pride, spirituality, and connection to land. In Scottish arms, there's a stronger emphasis on military legacy, legal inheritance, and fealty to a clan chief.
🧬 Heraldry as a Gateway to Your Roots
At The Celtic Way Tours, we often meet guests who discover a deep sense of pride when learning about their family's arms—be it through a red hand on a green field or a boar on a Highland shield. For many, it’s the first tangible connection to ancestors who lived centuries ago.
Whether your roots lie in Ireland’s rolling hills or Scotland’s misty glens, heraldry offers a powerful and visual way to explore where you come from. It’s not just about colorful crests—it’s about stories, identity, and legacy.
✨ Want to Discover Your Coat of Arms?
As part of our heritage-focused experiences, we help guests:
Research their family surnames
Learn about their clan connections
Visit ancestral regions and heraldic landmarks
Understand the meaning behind their coat of arms
Join us on a journey of history, heritage, and personal discovery across the Celtic lands.