A clan is defined as group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Clans preceded more centralized forms of community organization and government, and exist in every country. There is often emblem, or series of emblems, that lend to the shared identity of the members. This post focuses on the Coats of Arms for Clan Macneil.
Coat of Arms
Both representations of the Clan Macneil Coats of Arms (COA) include the Lion Rampant and the Masted Ship. The Lion Rampant is a nod to the Royal Flag of the King of Scotland while the masted ship represents the seafaring nature of the clan.
Shown to the right, the Macneil of Barra COA includes the castle in the water which symbolizes Kisimul Castle in Castlebay. The lower right quadrant has the Red Hand of Ulster surrounded by nine shackles representing Niall of the Nine Hostages.
The coat of arms typically attributed to clan MacNeil belongs solely to the current chief of the clan who is of Barra, shown above. The Macneil of Colonsay-Gigha do distinguish themselves with the emblem shown to the left. It does not have the shackles but instead a salmon. The salmon represents wisdom, knowledge, strength, and eternity due to their mysterious ability to return to their birthplace from the outermost ocean to spawn the next generation.
A depiction of the coat of arms is painted in the Great Hall of Kisimul Castle in Castlebay, Barra, Scotland. This representation is surrounded by other Clan Macneil symbols or position. The COA sits on a base of Clan plant badge, the Dryas, and is held up by the lions rampant. The red velvet chapeau, lined with ermine, is symbolic of a Baron and the helmet, below the chapeau represents rank.
