Scotish Old Book with Sigil / Coat of arms MacDonald

[Buddy85400]

Hello from France.
I have in my collection an old book (1777 & 1778) titled "The History of America"
On the first pages of each volumes, there is a sigil with the text "Quod dixi dixi" and a  name is signed on the top "John Macdonad"
does anybody could help me on finding the origins of this coart of arm ? all my research are unsuccesful !
Could this John Macdonald could be the grand father of Sir John A Mac Donald ?

[KGarrad]

Hello and welcome to RootsChat

What you have her is not a coat-of-arms, but a crest - which sits above the shield.

It looks to me like a basket (maybe a creel?) from which a hand emerges clutching a dagger.
It would appear to be associated with the initials H.D. rather than John MacDonald.

[DonM]

I suspect H.D. is Latin, referring to the original author was a well known highly educated Minister (Doctor Wm Robertson).  It was his namesake (son) who turned the project over to his father's friends who completed this collection following his death.

Don

[Buddy85400]

Thanks very much for this precision.
So do you think there a chance to find anymore information about the history a this book?
Do I have to check more info on the sigil/crest or on the signature ? (Or on both)
Maybe this investigation is not so intéressant?
Best regards

[GR2]

"Quod dixi dixi" is Latin for "What I have said, I have said". No doubt it was used as a motto by numerous people.

[DonM]

What I love about many 17th and 18th Century Books is the position authors take.  GR2's translation of the Latin is dead on as to how Robertson approached this. In addition he claims to be an Historiographer...perhaps this could be the H.

By WILLIAM ROBERTSON, PRINCIPAL OF THE UNIVERSITY AT EDINBURGH, HISTORIOGRAPHER TO HIS MAJESTY FOR SCOTLAND, AND MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ACADEMY AT MADRID.

The Crest which is likely his own, is possibly a Robertson variation.  The Robertson's I see hold a sword or dagger above and through a crown showing their support.

The entire series can be found here if anyone is interested.

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/evans/N25924.0001.001/1:16.8?rgn=div2;view=toc

Don

[Buddy85400]

Thanks for this contributions. Last question, does this marks (crest + Name) are an indice that could valorize the value of this edition ?
Thanks

[Raybistre]

The motto "  "Quod dixi dixi" was used by the Dixie family of Bosworth Hall, Leicestershire, England. The crest they used was however different to the one in the book so not them.
As the initials are H.D. I would think that these are the initials of the owner of the crest and motto.
Possibly of a family named Dixie or maybe Dixon.
Fairbairn's book of crests of the families of Great Britain and Ireland by James Fairbairn, may throw some light on the origin of the crest.
John MacDonald I would expect to be another owner of the book at sometime.
Ray