McDonnell Family Crest framed artprint

The McDonnell Family Crest framed and printed on museum-quality matte paper. Beautifully illustrated. Carefully researched. Uniquely personal.

A thoughtful gift for any family celebration—whether it’s a milestone birthday, a housewarming or a wedding, this piece is an instant heirloom.

The origin of the name McDonnell

The surname McDonnell is a patronymic name of Gaelic origin, serving as the primary Irish-anglicized form of Mac Domhnaill, meaning "son of Domhnall" (a name combining the ancient Celtic elements for "world" and "mighty"). While sharing an ultimate common ancestor in the twelfth-century warrior Somerled (died 1164), this specific branch became permanently established in Ireland during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. Settling in northeast Ulster, the family integrated into the native Irish nobility, and the phonetic spelling officially stabilized as McDonnell (and MacDonnell) to differentiate this powerful Irish dynasty from its Scottish counterparts.

The symbolism of the McDonnell coat of arms

Quarter 1 (Top-Left): A red lion rampant on a silver background (Argent, a lion rampant gules). This is an ancient Celtic symbol of sovereign authority, martial courage, and independent royal descent.

Quarter 2 (Top-Right): A hand emerging from a cloud holding a blue cross crosslet fitchy on a golden field (Or, a dexter hand couped fesswise issuing from a cloud holding a cross crosslet fitchy azure). This symbol represents Christian faith, divine protection, and the clan's historical role as protectors of the church.

Quarter 3 (Bottom-Left): A black single-masted galley with oars in action and sails furled on a gold field (Or, a lymphad oars in action and sails furled sable). Known heraldically as a lymphad, this represents the maritime power, galley fleets, and naval dominance of the Lords of the Isles.

Quarter 4 (Bottom-Right): The salmon of knowledge—in traditional Gaelic iconography, the salmon is an emblem of wisdom, deep knowledge, and ancestral endurance.

The Motto: Per mare per terras, which translates directly from Latin to English as "By sea and by land."

Historical records of the McDonnell Family Crest

This specific coat of arms is thoroughly documented within the historical state records of Ireland and is tied to the country's prominent military architecture:

The Dublin Castle Registries: This identical quarterly configuration is formally recorded within the historical archives of the Ulster Office of Arms. Established in 1552 at Dublin Castle as the supreme heraldic authority for Ireland, these official registers are preserved today within the Genealogical Office Manuscript Collection at the National Library of Ireland.

The 1620 Earldom Record: The arms were formally confirmed and registered in Dublin to the McDonnells of Antrim. When Sir Randal MacSorley McDonnell was officially created the 1st Earl of Antrim in 1620, this core quarterly heraldic layout was recorded as the official insignia of his house.

The Gallowglass and Dunluce Castle: Historically, the McDonnells of Antrim rose to power in Ulster as leaders of the Gallowglass (elite mercenary warriors). By 1558, under the leadership of the famous chieftain Sorley Boy McDonnell, the family permanently secured their Irish territories, establishing their primary seat at the iconic Dunluce Castle on the coastal cliffs of County Antrim.

About the artist

Each coat of arms in the Family Crests Store is an artwork by heraldic artist Éamonn Breathnach. All are carefully researched, drawing from the earliest available records across multiple heraldic archives. Noted for their elegance and attention to detail, these artworks make meaningful gifts for family occasions.

Product details

• Printed with water-based inks.
• Ayous wood .75″ (1.9 cm) thick frame from renewable forests
• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil (0.26 mm)
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Acrylite front protector
• Hanging hardware included

No Warehouses. No Waste. Just for you, made to order.

This product is printed especially for you when ordered, one at a time, by royal decree of Mother Nature to keep the realm beautiful. Family Crests Store guarantees your custom treasure meets all EU and USA safety standards.