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Registered: The
International Register
of Arms, 15th May 2011.
Registration No. 0189.
(Vol.2)
Arms:
Azure on a chevron
Argent between two
bears' heads couped
Argent muzzled Gules in
chief and a Church of
Scotland Diaconate cross
Argent in base, the Lion
of St Mark Gules holding
an open book proper,
between two hands
grasping daggers the
points turned towards
the lion all proper.
Crest:
A Phoenix Gules in
flames on its wings
tongues of fire proper.
Motto:
A Theachdairean 'N An
Teine Lasarach
Pennon:
Argent and Azure with
the Arms in the hoist
and the motto in two
lines counterchanged.
Grant:
Court of the Lord Lyon.
26th August 2010. The
Public Register of all
Arms and Bearings in
Scotland. Volume 88
Folio 72.
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The
armiger belongs to
Callanish on the Isle of
Lewis in the Hebrides
and served in the Royal
Naval Auxiliary Service
for eight years. For two
of those years he was
Head of Unit at R.N.X.S.
Stornoway. Sadly the
Service was disbanded in
1994. Prior to this he
was a ferrymaster on the
River Clyde for four
years.
The arms are based upon
those of Lord Reay,
Chief of the name, in
order that they might be
identifiably Mackay. The
bear symbolises ferocity
in protection of one’s
kindred, while the
dagger represents
justice and military
honour. The chevron also
alludes to protection.
For difference the
armiger has chosen the
Diaconate cross of the
Church of Scotland
because he is a serving
Deacon. He first served
in the Parish of Tarbert
on the Isle of Harris
for four years. The Lion
of St Mark symbolises
his service in the Perth
Parish of Letham St
Mark's where he has been
active since 1998. The
Phoenix symbolises the
Christian belief in
resurrection, but is
also a play on the name
as Mackay means 'Son of
Fire'. The tongues of
flame on the wings of
the Phoenix represent
his early years in the
Pentecostal church. The
motto alludes to the
armiger's office of
Deacon in the Church of
Scotland and is, again,
a play on the name. It
comes from Psalm 104:4
and may be translated
as, "He makes flames of
fire his servants."
The colours are also
representative of the
qualities to be found in
a Deacon: Azure – truth
and
loyalty/faithfulness;
Argent – peace and
sincerity; and Gules –
military strength
(Deacons often combat
injustice), warrior
(Clan Mackay was famous
for its martial
prowess), and
magnanimity.
It may be noticed that
the book held by the
lion of St Mark is
closed contrary to the
blazon. It is hoped this
may be corrected. The
book grasped by the Lion
of St Mark is indicative
of the Gospel and, while
a closed book may
symbolise council, an
open book is more in the
spirit of the Gospel,
which is open to the
gaze of all who wish to
consider the council it
offers.
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Further
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The
Armorial Bearings of Kenneth Donald
Mackay
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