The MacLeod Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of MacLeod, its origins in Scotland, and the story behind a MacLeod family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the MacLeod coat of arms for you.
Origin of the MacLeod name
MacLeod comes from Gaelic MacLeòid, "son of Leod", from the Old Norse personal name Ljótr, usually explained as "ugly" in an affectionate or protective sense. Leod, a figure of the 13th century in the Norse-Gaelic Hebrides, is the traditional ancestor of the MacLeods of Harris, seated at Dunvegan on Skye, and the MacLeods of Lewis. Emigration took the name to Nova Scotia.
Our historical archives hold much more on the MacLeod name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the MacLeod name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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The complete MacLeod pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
MacLeod name FAQ
What does the MacLeod name mean?
Son of Leod. Common variants include McLeod, Macleod, McCloud.
Where does the MacLeod surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Is there a MacLeod coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single MacLeod crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized MacLeod coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).