Clan Arthur Coat of Arms

The ancient shield of the Chief of Clan Arthur bears three gold antique (or eastern) crowns, set on an azure background. In heraldic symbolism; a crown signifies a royal or seigniorial authority; the colour gold, generosity; and azure or blue represents loyalty and truth. The three antique gold crowns are proof of kingship in the ancestry of Clan Arthur - but which king and which kingdoms?

Arthur's Shield
Arthur's Shield
King Arthur's Later Shield
King Arthur's Later Shield

'King' Arthur's blazon is described in 13th Century manuscripts as having displayed three gold crowns set on a blue background, which was later modified to thirteen gold crowns, to represent the thirteen kingdoms of Northern Britain. This raises the question as to which kingdoms the three original crowns represented. Artur MacAedan was, by birth, 'Prince' of the 'Kingdoms' of Dalriada, Strathclyde and Goddodin. It is only reasonable to assume that these are the three 'kingdoms' represented on his shield.

It is worth noting at this point, that Uther Pendragon, 'King' Arthur's mythical father, boasted that he was known as Gorlasser (Blue Enamel) because the bright blue enamel of his belt, dazzled his enemies. This is attested in the poem "Death Song of Uther Pendragon" attributed to the Welsh speaking bard, Taliesin.

Another medieval poem 'The Funeral Ode to the Wonderful Pendragon' states that the 'lamenting multitude of the host earnestly yearn for the joyful prize of blue enamel and wish for their Prince!'

Although the MacArthur shield is unique in Scottish heraldry (as far as I know) there are other locations in Europe where similar shields can be found. These further pieces of evidence open up fascinating links to the Clan Arthur story.

The Southern Irish province of Munster was an ancient kingdom once ruled by the MacCarthys who had their seat at the famous Blarney Castle. The Province of Munster's shield is also composed of three gold crowns set on an azure background. Perhaps it should be no surprise that the MacCarthys at Blarney Castle still recognise the MacArthur tartan as their own. The Dalriadic ancestry of Artur MacAeden from the High Kings of Ireland is irrefutable.

Sweden has two National Coats of Arms, the Lesser and the Greater, the Lesser Coat of Arms being the one most commonly used. The Lesser Coat of Arms features three gold crowns set, two over one, on a blue background, as does the Clan Arthur shield, although the Swedish crowns are of a notably different style. This device has been the emblem of Sweden, since at least as early as 1336AD.

One explanation offers the three crowns as representative of the Three Wise Men, but this appears to be another of the usual later attempts to provide a biblical source for a Celtic phenomena. The second explanation of the three crowns representing the Kingdoms of Sweden, Norway and Scania, seems more plausible and contains a familiar echo.

Coat of Arms for John Alexander MacArthur of that ilk, FSA Scot

Coat of Arms usage is controlled by Scottish law and is under jurisdiction of the Office of the Lord Lyon of Scotland. The Arthur Coat of Arms as shown is not for personal use.

Clan Arthur Coat of Arms
Clan Arthur Coat of Arms - reproduced with the permission of John MacArthur of that ilk, Chief of Clan Arthur

Arms : Azure, three ancient crowns Or

Crest : two branches of bay in orle Proper

Motto : FIDE ET OPERA

Slogan : EISD O EISD

Matriculated : The Court of the Lord Lyon. By interlocutor, 28th August 2002.

Previous Coat of Arms
Previous Coat of Arms

Ten years ago the armigerous members of the clan held a derbfine which selected James MacArthur as the candidate to be presented to the Lord Lyon to become Commander of the Clan. James' arms were matriculated then as "Azure a cross moline Argent between three ancient crowns Or" (L.R. volume 70, folio 110).

In August 2002, the Lord Lyon approved the petition of James MacArthur of Milton, making him the first Chief of Clan Arthur for over 220 years. James MacArthur served as Commander of the Clan for ten years. At that time the Lord Lyon matriculated the coat of arms, removing the cross moline.

With the removal of the silver cross, the chief's coat now reverts to the earliest form of arms of the chief of Clan Arthur, a shield apparently identical to the description given in ancient manuscripts for the legendary King Arthur's blazon!


King Arthur's Shield & Excalibur, by Hugh D P McArthur FSA Scot, Clan Arthur Seannachie
A study of Clan Arthur symbology by Hugh DP McArthur, Clan Arthur Seannachie. Only available in print format from the author. Click the image or HERE to enquire.