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According to Burke, this coat of arms was granted to a John Douglas
in 1780, by the
Albany Herald of Arms. However, there was an Albany Herald named John
Douglas between 1768 and 1795.
This person may be
Sir John Douglas a
British officer of the Royal Marines, and the son of Louis (or Lewis) Douglas, Esq.
of Dalkeith in Scotland.
Sir John Douglas was born at Jean
Fields, Dalkeith, near Edinburgh; he was the son of Louis Douglas, Esq.;
his grandfather was a lord of Session. If the grandfather was also Lewis
Douglas, then he was involved in the trial of Archibald Stewart for
neglect of duty in 1745. Sir John became involved in the scandal of the
alleged illegitimate child born to the Princess of Wales, Caroline of
Brunswick.
Lewis Douglas of Garvald is mentioned in The Heraldry
of the Douglases under person (86) in the
Douglases of Cavers
section.
Blazoning the Arms: The shield is the same as
Douglas of Mains, except it features an engrailed green border
containing eight golden crescents. The crest shows a black martlet. The
motto of this Douglas is Sursum meaning “Upwards.”
Interpreting
the Arms: Based upon the inclusion of the elements One may assume that
this Douglas is a descendant off-shoot of the Mains branch of the Clan
Douglas. The Martlet is a symbol of the fourth son and may signify one
who has to subsist by virtue and merit, not inheritance. The engrailed
line represents the earth or land. A Crescent signifies one who has been
honoured by the sovereign; hope of greater glory. Knights returning from
the crusades introduced the crescent, the badge of Islam, into the
language of heraldry. Thus the crescent may have been incorporated into
these arms because Sir John Douglas had served with the Turkish Army in
the deserts around El Arish, and his coffin, decorated with the flag
under which he served at Acre.
Research note:
• There appears to be a connection with
Steuart Douglas 18 September 1781. John and Steuart are both
mentioned in a handwritten note in the same book published in 1749.
• 13 Feb 1795 - In Monteith Close, Edinburgh, death of Mr John Douglas,
Albany Herald, uncle of Sir Andrew Snape Douglas, Captain of the Royal
Navy.
Thus he is Dr William Douglas of Leith's brother.
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