McMenamin Coats of Arms
Description (Blazon)
Arms: Argent on a chevron cotised sable between three Cornish choughs proper as many crescents of the field.
Crest: A serpent nowed, therefrom issuant a dexter arm embowed in armour proper garnished or, the hand grasping a short sword also proper pommel and hilt gold.
Motto:
Terar Dum Prosim.
"Let me wear(away) if only for good."
Source: Burke.
Description (Blazon)
Arms: Lozengy sable and argent, a chief ermine.
Crest: A boar passant, collared and bristled vert.
Origin: Ireland.
Symbolisms
Argent: white
or silver. Signifies Peace and Sincerity.
Chevron: signifies Protection, and has often been granted in arms as a
reward to one who has achieved some noble enterprise. It is supposed to represent
the roof-tree of a house, and has sometimes been given to those who have built churches or
fortresses, or who have accomplished some work of faithful service.
Sable: or black. Denotes Constancy and sometimes, but more
rarely, Grief.
Cornish Chough: is called "the king of crows."
"...may betoken the bearer thereof to be a man of stratagems to the disadvantage of
his enemies." Might (also) betoken "watchful activity for friends."
Crescent: was said to signify one who has been "enlightened and
honoured by the gracious aspect of his sovereign." It is also borne as the
symbol of a "Hope of Greater Glory."
Serpent: may be the Cockatrice...the fabulous king of serpents....
It was the emblem of "terror to all beholders."
Nowed: twisted into a single loop or knot.
Sword: ...the true emblem of military honour, and should encite the
bearer to a just and generous pursuit of honour and virtue in warlike deeds.
Gold: ...denotes Generosity and...Elevation of Mind.
Symbolisms
Lozengy: ...all square
figures, such as lozenges, signify Constancy. "Square figures are symbols of
Wisdom, and signify Verity, probity, constancy and equity." The phrase as to
"square dealings" perhaps rose from such symbols.
Sable: or black. Denotes Constancy and sometimes, but
more rarely, Grief.
Argent: white or silver. Signifies Peace and Sincerity.
Chief: (that) which occupies the whole of the top and one-third of the
total surface of the shield....often granted as a special reward for prudence and wisdom,
as well as for successful command in war.
Ermine: indicated by a triangle of dots about an arrowhead...has...long
been associated with the robes and crowns of royal and noble personages...considered as a
perfect emblem of dignity....It is probable that the colour black or sable was first found
on the actual surcoat in the shape of fur.
Boar: "is a fierce combatant when at bay, and ceases fighting only
with its life, and therefore may be properly applied as the armorial bearing of a
warrior." A white boar was the badge of Richard III.
Passant: ...walking.
Vert: or green. Signifies Hope, Joy, and, sometimes, Loyalty in
Love.
Comments
As many of you probably know, the heraldic arms we love to hang on our walls originated with the distinctive shields and colors once used in battle to distinguish friend from foe. Lopping off a friend's head was definitely considered bad form.
The coats of arms on this page were obtained on parchment-style paper from Jon Factor of The Historical Research Center, Dublin, e-mail hrc@indigo.ie or phone 01-2950613, and scanned for this page.
According to John, the coat of arms on the left is the most used. Note the three Cornish choughs and the three crescents - a flyer from Heraldic Artists, Ltd., Dublin, says, "The triplication of objects so frequently found in Gaelic arms is due to the profound influence of Christianity on all aspects of Irish civilisation and culture."
There apparently has long been much flexibility in the use of coats of arms. Variants of a name such as McMenamin could properly use their variation in the upper banner. As to the original mottoes, families sometimes replaced them with their own new ones. The coat of arms above on the right has no motto. We put "Ireland" in the lower banner for balance but it could have been left blank or we could have made up our own motto.
The Description or Blazon for these heraldic arms came from whatever source books the heraldry was listed in.
I extracted the explanation of the symbols from a fascinating little book, "The Symbolisms Of Heraldry," by W. Cecil Wade, London, George Redway publishers, 1898; reproduced by Heraldic Artists, Ltd., London.
Question! Do any of you know how either of these coats of arms may have originated? With what family, in what place, at what time? If you have any information let me know and I'll share it on this page.