A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Affleck family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1961 · 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
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)
“Ar. a cross embattled sa”
KincardineshireGlenbervie · Kincardineshire, c. 1748
Where the Affleck Arms Were Recorded
Kincardineshire
Map of Scotland showing where the Affleck arms are recorded
The Affleck arms were recorded in Kincardineshire, c. 1748.
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 Affleck 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 Kincardineshire.
Origin & History of the Affleck Family in Scotland
The surname Affleck is a regional variation of the Scottish place name Auchinleck, which originates from the Gaelic words for a field of flat stones. While the name is most famously associated with the Ayrshire estate of the same name, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the county of Kincardineshire by at least 1748. During this period, families in the northeast of Scotland often lived as tenant farmers or tradespeople who were deeply integrated into the local parish structure. The movement of the name from the west of Scotland toward the eastern coast suggests that individuals bearing the title likely traveled for work or marriage, gradually spreading the family name into new communities. By the mid-eighteenth century, the Afflecks of Kincardineshire were part of a rural society that relied on agriculture and local industry, marking a distinct chapter in the family history that was separate from the more prominent landed families of the west.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. three bars sa”
SuffolkDalham Hall · Suffolk, c. 1620
Where the Affleck Arms Were Recorded
Suffolk
Map of England showing where the Affleck arms are recorded
The Affleck arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1620.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of arms.
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 Affleck 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Affleck Family in England
The Affleck family name traces its roots to the northern regions of Britain, but by the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Suffolk, England. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the family were living in this area, marking a transition from their earlier ancestral ties to a new life in the English countryside. During this period, families often moved to find better agricultural opportunities or to pursue roles in local trade and administration. The name itself is thought to have evolved from geographical descriptions of the land where early ancestors resided. By settling in Suffolk, the Affleck family became part of the local social fabric, participating in the daily life and economic growth of the region during a time of significant change in English history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Achadh na h-Eala
Gaelic for field of the swan
This name
AffleckA locational surname derived from lands in Angus, Scotland, referring to a swan-filled meadow.
also spelled
Auchinleck
Auchenleck
Related arms
Auchinleckvariant spelling
Douglasrecorded with Affleck, same area
Melvillerecorded with Affleck, same area
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
Johnston, James B., Place-names of Scotland, 1934
National Records of Scotland, Kirk Session Records of Kincardineshire, CH2 series
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
