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Manning
LTC ALBERT E. MANNING, USA, Ret., FSA Scot

Arms: Or, a cross flory Gules between in dexter chief a lymphad sails furled and oars in action Sable flagged of the second, in sinister chief a sword point downwards and a key wards downwards in saltire of the third, in dextor base a keystone and in sinister base two spears palewise of the second.

Crest: an Eagle dispayed Or each wing charged with an oak leaf Proper

Motto: With Integrity

Grant: Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, Volume 87, Page 110, 28th March. 2008.


In June 2006, I had the good fortune of meeting with the Lord Lyon, Robin Blair, to discuss the design of my arms which he had recently approved. The result was a combination of suggestions by the Lord Lyon after we had discussed several options and possibilities.

The livery colors, red and gold, were suggested by the Lord Lyon. They are the livery colors of Clan Donald.

The Lord Lyon said I could not have my shield quartered as such, but a cross fluery would provide the same effect.

The lymphad with sails furled and oars in action appears on the arms of Lord Macdonald of Macdonald and the five other Chiefs of the main branches of Clan Donald. It symbolizes my Clan Donald heritage.

The red keystone is the symbol of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, “The Keystone State”. This is where I was born and raised. It is also the land of my ancestors in the Colonies and States. My McDonald and Manning ancestors were in Western Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary War.

The crossed sword and key are from the insignia of the U. S. Army Quartermaster Corps. I served in the U.S. Army for over 23 years, 21 of which were in the Quartermaster Corps.

The two red spears have particular significance. I served in Viet Nam in 1969-1970. During part of my tour I was the Executive Officer of the 277th Supply and Services Battalion. While searching the U.S. Army heraldry website, I looked up the 277th. It's unit crest has two spears on it. The explanation of the spears is that one represents the unit's service in Viet Nam and the second spear represents the Meritorious Unit Citation the unit was awarded for its exemplary performance of mission and duty while in Viet Nam. I was the person who wrote and submitted the recommendation for the 277th to receive this award. The award is equivalent to the Legion of Merit which recognizes this level of achievement by an individual.

The Eagle crest is replete with significance. With the two oak leaves on its shoulders, it represents the rank of Lieutenant Colonel that I held upon retirement from the U. S. Army. The leaves also allude to my Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry. The eagle also represents the United States of American and the U. S. Army. As I was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, it has that significance as well. Finally, an eagle can be found on several of the Coats of Arms of the Clan Donald Chiefs.

The motto, Integritate, translates, “With Integrity”.

One final note, the Lord Lyon told me at our meeting that I am the first person with the surname Manning to be granted Arms by the Lyon Court.

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