Donaldson Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

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Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Hilton). Or, a two-headed eagle displ. sa. surmounted of a lymphad of the second, flagged of the third, in dexter chief a sinister hand couped also of the third, and in the fess point a mullet of the field. Motto—Si Deus vobiscum quis contra nos.
2) (Auchmull, co. Aberdeen). Or, a two-headed eagle displ. sa. beaked and membered gu. surmounted of a lymphad of the second, flagged of the third, in dexter chief a sinister hand couped also of the third, all within a bordure of the last. Crest—A passion cross gu. Motto—Sub cruce lux.
3) (Dean of Guild of Brechin, 1672). Ar.a lymphad with oars in action sa. within a bordure wavy az. Crest—The rudder of a ship ppr. Motto—Stire steddie.
4) (Physician, Paris, 1680). Or, a lymphad sa. flagged gu. surmounted of a two-headed eagle displ. ppr., a bordure az. charged with eight pills or. Crest—Within two adders disposed orleways a cock crowing ppr. Motto—Pru denter vigilo.
5) (Kinnairdic, Scotland, 1736). Or, a two-headed eagle displ. sa. beaked and membered gu. surmounted of a Iymphad of the second, flagged of the third, in dexter chief a sinister hand couped of the last. Crest—A dexter hand holding a sword ppr. Motto—Aut pax aut bellum.
6) (Scotland, 1680). Or, a lymphad flagged gu. surmounted of an eagle displ. with two heads ppr. in base unde a dolphin naiant also ppr. all within a bordure az. charged with eight quatrefoils ar. Crest—A garb vert. Motto—Nulli inimicus ero.
7) (London, 1748). Or, a two-headed eagle displ. sa. beaked and membered gu. surmounted of a lymphad of the second, flagged of the third, in dexter chief a sinister hand couped also of the third, and in sinister chief a salmon ppr. Crest—A hand holding a dagger ppr. Motto—Aut pax aut bellum.
8) (Edinburgh, 1780). Or, a two-headed eagle displ. ppr. beaked and membered gu. surmounted of a lymphad sa. flagged of the third, in dexter chief a sinister hand couped also of the third, a bordure engr. az. Crest—A dexter hand holding a dagger erect ppr. hilted and pommeled or. Motto—Promptus.
9) (Major Alex. Donaldson, 76th Foot, 1780). As the last, with an escallop sa. in sinister chief. Crest—A dexter arm vambraced couped at the shoulder brandishing a sword all ppr. Motto—In omnia promptus.
10) (Bannachra, co. Dumbarton, 1766). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, a two-headed eagle displ. sa. beaked and membered gu. surmounted of a lymphad of the second, flagged of the third, in dexter chief a sinister hand couped of the last; 2nd and 3rd, gu. two arrows in saltire ar. surmounted of a fess chequy of the second and first, for Macaulay, all within a bordure az. charged with eight buckles or. Crest—A dexter hand holding a dagger ppr. Motto—Aut pax aut bellum.
11) (granted, 1853, to Edward Matthews, Esq., of FitzWilliam Place, Dublin, afterwards Douglas, Isle of Man, on his assuming, by royal licence, the surname of Donaldson in lieu of Matthews). Or, an eagle displ. with two heads gu. surmounted by a lymphad sa. Crest—An eagle’s head erased gu. Motto—My hope is constant.
12) (exemplified to Charles George Donaldson. Esq., lieut. in the army, on his assuming by royal licence, 17 Sept., 1879, the surname of Donaldson in lieu of Matthews, pursuant to the will of his kinswoman, Anne Clewlow of Clermont, co. Antrim). Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Donaldhon, or an eagle displ. with two hends ppr. surmounted of a lymphad, sails furled aa. flag gu.; 2nd and 3rd, Matthews, ar. three chevronels gu. surmounted of a lion ramp. reguard ppr. all betw. three Catherine wheels of the second. Crests— 1st, Donaldson: an eagle’s head erased gu. collared dancettce or, in the beak a thistle and trefoiled entwined ppr.; 2nd, Matthews: An arm embowed in armour ppr. charged with a Catherine wheel gu. the hand also ppr. grasping an arrow, point downwards or, feathered ar. Motto—Tout jours prt.