Baillie Coat of Arms

Baillie Coat of Arm – From Bulloch, J. G. B. (1898). A history and genealogy of the family of Baillie of Dunain, Dochfour and Lamington, with a short sketch of the family of McIntosh, Bulloch, and other families. The Gazette print.

The Baillie family, with roots deeply intertwined with the Baliol lineage, underwent significant changes in their coat of arms as a strategic response to the political landscapes of their times. Originally bearing the Catherine wheels, a symbol closely associated with the Baliol family, their arms evolved significantly in a bid to distance themselves from the negative connotations attached to the Baliol kings, especially under the oppressive scrutiny of Edward I of England. This shift was not merely a change in design but a profound statement of re-identity, with the family opting for a design of six mullets, which was later modified to nine mullets, or five-pointed stars, symbolizing perhaps a new direction and a break from their controversial past.

Adding a further layer to their heraldic identity, the Baillie arms incorporated two boars rampant as supporters, a motif signifying bravery and fierceness in heraldic traditions. This addition not only enhanced the martial aspect of the family’s image but also solidified their status as a formidable and resilient lineage within the Scottish nobility. Through these changes, the Baillie coat of arms became a powerful heraldic narrative, reflecting the family’s historical journey from association with royal controversy to establishing a distinct and honorable identity, demonstrating how heraldry could serve as a canvas for storytelling and identity shaping within the nobility.