A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Albany family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 2921 · English, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
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. on a fesse betw. three cinquefoils gu. a greyhound pass. of the field. (Another, courant or)”
ShropshireLondon · Shropshire, c. 1620
Where the Albany Arms Were Recorded
Shropshire
Map of England showing where the Albany arms are recorded
The Albany arms were recorded in Shropshire, 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 England when the Albany 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 Shropshire.
Origin & History of the Albany Family in England
The family name Albany has deep roots in the English landscape, with significant evidence placing the family in the county of Shropshire by the early seventeenth century. While the name itself is often associated with the ancient title of the Duke of Albany in Scotland, families bearing the surname in England frequently established themselves as landed gentry or local landowners during the late Tudor and early Stuart periods. By 1620, records confirm that members of the Albany family were well-integrated into the social and economic life of Shropshire. They likely participated in the local governance and agricultural management that defined the region at the time. This period was one of great transition for English families, as many moved from being simple tenants to holding more formal titles to their land. The presence of the family in Shropshire suggests they were part of a stable middle or upper class that helped shape the local community through trade, marriage, and land ownership during the reign of King James I.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. an eagle displ. within a bordure ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Albany Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Albany arms are recorded
The Albany 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 England when the Albany 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 Albany Family in Scotland
The history of the Albany name in Scotland is deeply tied to the cultural and geographic identity of the region. While the name is often associated with the royal title of the Duke of Albany, families bearing this surname established a distinct presence in Edinburgh by the middle of the eighteenth century. By 1748, records indicate that individuals with this name were active participants in the city’s growing urban life during a time of significant social and economic transition. The name itself likely originated as a topographic descriptor, derived from the ancient Gaelic term for Scotland, Alba. This suggests that early ancestors may have been identified by their connection to the northern highlands or their role in the complex political landscape of the Scottish kingdom. As these families settled in Edinburgh, they became part of the city’s evolving history, contributing to the local community as Scotland moved toward the modern era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
albus
Latin word meaning white or bright.
This name
AlbanyRefers to a person from the ancient name for Scotland or a white place.
also spelled
Albeny
Aubigny
Related arms
Fitz-Warrenrecorded with Albany, same area
Georgerecorded with Albany, same area
Lloydrecorded with Albany, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Grazebrook, George and Rylands, John Paul, The Visitation of Shropshire, Taken in the Year 1623, 1889
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cinquefoilHope and joy
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
