A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Adamson family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 4335 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. three crosses crosslet fitchée gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Adamson Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Adamson arms are recorded
The Adamson arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Adamson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Adamson Family in Scotland
The surname Adamson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of Adam. In Scotland, this name became well-established as families adopted fixed surnames during the medieval period. By the time the family appears in Edinburgh records in 1748, they were part of a long tradition of Scottish families who used these names to track their lineage across generations. The name was particularly common in the Lowlands, where the influence of the church and local administration helped formalize family identities. These early ancestors in Edinburgh likely lived during a time of significant urban growth, contributing to the city's development as a center for trade and law. Their presence in official documents from the mid-eighteenth century suggests that they were settled members of the community who participated in the social and economic life of Scotland's capital.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Vert on a cross or, an estoile sa”
WestmorlandWestmorland, c. 1620
Where the Adamson Arms Were Recorded
Westmorland
Map of England showing where the Adamson arms are recorded
The Adamson arms were recorded in Westmorland, c. 1620.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Adamson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Westmorland.
Origin & History of the Adamson Family in England
The surname Adamson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of Adam. In England, this naming style became common during the Middle Ages as populations grew and people needed more specific ways to distinguish themselves from their neighbors. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the northern county of Westmorland. Life in this region during the 1620s was shaped by the rugged landscape and the close-knit nature of rural communities. Families like the Adamsons often worked in agriculture or local trades, contributing to the development of the northern English economy. Because the name was tied to a common first name, it emerged independently in several different parts of the country, reflecting a shared cultural tradition of identifying ancestry through one’s father.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adam
Derived from the Hebrew word for earth or red clay.
This name
AdamsonA patronymic surname meaning son of the first man.
also spelled
Adameson
Related arms
Adamsvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Burgh Register of Sasines, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
cross symbolChristian faith and service
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
