A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Aitken family of Scotland.
Reg. 0984 · 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
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 chevron gu. between three cocks sa”
StirlingSaltcoats · Stirling, c. 1871
Where the Aitken Arms Were Recorded
Stirling
Map of Scotland showing where the Aitken arms are recorded
The Aitken arms were recorded in Stirling, c. 1871.
Stirling guarded the crossing between the Highlands and the Lowlands and held a royal castle. Families with business at court settled nearby, and closeness to the court brought 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 Scotland in this period.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Scotland when the Aitken 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 Stirling.
Origin & History of the Aitken Family in Scotland
The surname Aitken is a patronymic name, meaning it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Adam. It is a diminutive form of Adam, evolving through the Middle Scots name Atkin. The name has deep roots in the Lowlands of Scotland, particularly in areas surrounding Stirling and Fife. By the time of the 1871 census, families bearing this name were well-established in the historic city of Stirling, where they often worked in local industries such as weaving, mining, or trade. These families were part of a long tradition of Scottish settlers who helped shape the social and economic life of the region over many generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adam
Hebrew for son of the red earth or man
This name
AitkenA Scottish diminutive form meaning little son of Adam
also spelled
Aitkin
Atkin
Aiken
Related arms
Aikenvariant spelling
Aikinvariant spelling
Aitkin, or Atkinvariant spelling
Levingtonrecorded with Aitken, 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
National Records of Scotland, Census Returns for Scotland, 1871
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
