MACALPINE
TO all and Singular to whom these presents shall come I Sir William Betham Knight attendent in the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick Ulster King of Arms and Principal Herald of all Ireland send greeting Whereas application has been made to me by James MacAlpine Esquire Lieutenant Colonel in the Army late of the fifteenth Regiment of Hussars setting forth that his Ancestor Alpin MacGregor a son of the antient and noble family and clan of MacGregor or Clan Alpine in Scotland came to Ireland with many others of the same clan at the time of the settlement of Ulster in the Reign of King James the first of England and sixth of Scotland and acquired property in the counties of Tyrone, Derry and elsewhere in the north of Ireland where they assumed the names of Macdonald, Murray, Gorden, Skinner and many others The name of MacGregor having been prescribed and abolished by an act of the Parliment of Scotland. That the descendants of the bard Alpine MacGregor assumed and have ever since borne the name of MacAlpine. That the said James MacAlpine Esquire having exhibited to me several ancient deeds and family monuments in support of the statements above amentioned which I have carefully examined and find to be genuine and free from all doubt. I am now satisfied of the truth of the aforesaid statements and allegations where from the said James MacAlpine Esquire has prayed and to acknowledge register in my office exemplify and confirm to him and the descendants of his great grandfather James MacAlpine Esquire the arms of the said Clan of MacGregor of Clan Alpine with such differences as may be consistent with the Laws of Arms. Know Ye therefore that I the said Ulster having considered his said request, and judging the same to be just and proper to be conceded do by these presents acknowledge exemplify grant and confirm to the said James McAlpin and the descendants of his said great grandfather the Arms following that is to say. Quarterly 1st & 4th Argent on a mount vert a fir tree proper surmounted by a highland broad sword or claymore on the point of which in dexter less point a royal crown of Scotland all proper on a canton azure a trefoil slipped on for the name of MacAlpin 2nd & 3rd Argent a shake fork gules between a trefoil slipped vert in chief and in less two mullets sable for Cunningham. For Crest out of a ducal coronet on a thistle erect flowered and leaved proper. For Motto E'EN-DO-BAITE-SPARE-NOT. The whole as above more clearly depicted to be borne and used by the said James McAlpine Esquire and the descendants of his great grandfather for ever without the let hindrance molestation or interruption of any person or persons whatsoever. In Witness whereof I have subscribed these presents and affixed hereunto my official Seal this 8th day of October in the second year of Our Sovereign Lady Victoria in the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen Defender of the Faith and soforth and in the Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty nine.

(signed)   Betham Ulster

⁽¹⁾ The Genealogical Office is the successor to the office of Ulster King of Arms, also known simply as The Office of Arms, which was created in 1552 when Edward V designated Bartholemew Butler the chief heraldic authority in Ireland, with the title of Ulster. The reasons for the choice of Ulster rather than Ireland remain somewhat unclear; it seems likely that the older title of Ireland King of Arms was already in use amongst the heralds at the College of Arms in London. Whatever the reason, Ulster King of Arms acquired full jurisdiction over arms in Ireland, and retained it for almost four hundred years until 1943, when the Office was renamed The Genealogical Office, and Ulster became Chief Herald of Ireland, with the same powers as his predecessor. In the course of carrying out its heraldic functions, the Office inevitably acquired a large amount of material of genealogical interest, since the right to bear arms is strictly hereditary. Nonetheless, the new title given to the Office in 1943, The Genealogical Office was somewhat inaccurate. Its principal function continues to be heraldic, the granting and confirmation of official achievements to individuals and corporate bodies. Up to the 1980s, the Office also carried out commissioned research into family history. This service has been discontinued. Top