A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aiken family of Scotland.
Reg. 5478 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
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 chev. betw. three cocks' heads sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Aiken Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Aiken arms are recorded
The Aiken 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 Aiken 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 Aiken Family in Scotland
The surname Aiken is a Scottish patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Adam. Over many generations, the name evolved from the diminutive form of Adam, known as Adie or Adekin, into the modern spelling we recognize today. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, where records confirm their residence by 1748. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the growing urban life of Scotland's capital, working in various trades and professional roles that supported the city's expansion. Because the name was tied to a common first name, it emerged independently in several regions, though the Edinburgh branch remains a significant part of the family’s documented history in the Lowlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adam
Derived from the Hebrew word for earth or man.
This name
AikenA diminutive form meaning little Adam or son of Adam.
also spelled
Aikin
Aicken
Related arms
Aickenvariant spelling
Aikinvariant spelling
Aitkenvariant spelling
Aitkin, or Atkinvariant 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 Register of Testaments, CC8/8/111
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
