Heraldry
James Terry’s Book of Arms and the McManus Connection
A guide to James Terry, the Harley manuscripts, and the McManus arms discussed in the YDNA archive.
The Book of Arms associated with James Terry is a useful starting point for investigating the McManus arms discussed in Philip McManus’s archived heraldry essay. Two surviving manuscript volumes have direct British Library catalogue records, linked below.
Who was James Terry?
James Terry (1660–1725) was an Irish officer of arms associated with the exiled Jacobite court in France. He served as Athlone Herald. His work placed Irish heraldry and genealogy within the world of families living abroad while retaining connections with Ireland. For a biographical overview, see James Terry, officer of arms.
Find the manuscripts
| Manuscript | Catalogue title | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Harley MS 4039 | Arms of Irish families | British Library catalogue |
| Harley MS 4040 | Arms of Irish nobility | British Library catalogue |
The Library describes both volumes as probably compiled by Terry. They contain painted and gilt heraldic material, with spaces apparently intended for pedigrees. These are catalogue records, not links to a complete digitized book. A complete online scan was not verified when this guide was prepared.
Why do sources give different dates?
Matheson’s 1909 Special Report on Surnames in Ireland identifies Terry’s Book of Arms with the date 1690 and cites Harleian manuscripts 4039 and 4040. Its addendum reproduces a list of Irish sept names. Read Matheson’s list and manuscript reference.
The current British Library catalogue dates the surviving volumes to the early 18th century. Harley 4039 includes a portrait of James Francis Edward Stuart and a dedication dated 21 June 1712. James Francis Edward Stuart was the son of James II; the two should not be confused. Source: Harley MS 4039.
For research notes, it is useful to retain both the older “1690” reference and the Library’s dating of the surviving manuscripts, rather than treating them as an exact, settled compilation date.
The McManus connection
Matheson’s transcription includes the surname MAC MANUS. That entry establishes the name’s presence in the reproduced list; it does not identify a particular modern family’s descent. Source: List of Names of Irish Septs.
Philip’s essay connects its first illustrated arms with Terry’s book and cites Harley MS 4039, page 122 / folio 65 verso. He also notes uncertainty over the family to which those arms belonged. The original folio should be checked before treating that attribution as confirmed. Read “Heraldry A-B-C, The Arms”.
Continue the research
- Philip E. McManus — author profile and related work.
- McManus YDNA Project archive.
- Matheson’s preface.
- British Library guidance on manuscript catalogues.
- A related Jacobite grant of arms, described by Leo Cadogan Rare Books. This is a separate document, not a digital edition of Terry’s book.