A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aitchison family of Scotland.
Reg. 0840 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 two-headed eagle displ. sa. on a chief vert two spur rowels or”
EdinburghGosford · Edinburgh, c. 1748
Where the Aitchison Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Aitchison arms are recorded
The Aitchison arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1748.
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 Aitchison 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Aitchison Family in Scotland
The surname Aitchison is a 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 Adamson into the distinct Scottish form of Aitchison. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Aitchison family were active participants in the city’s growing urban society during this era. At that time, Edinburgh was a hub of trade and intellectual life, and families like the Aitchisons were often involved in the professional guilds or local commerce that defined the capital. This period marked a time of stability for the name, allowing it to become firmly rooted in the history of the Scottish Lowlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adam
Hebrew name meaning son of the red earth
This name
AitchisonA patronymic surname meaning son of Adam or son of Archie
also spelled
Aitchison
Atcheson
Atchison
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
