A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alison family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7380 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
swordJustice, and military honour
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une tête d'ours d'arg., emmuselée de gu., acc. en chef de deux fleurs-de-lis d'or et en p. d'un pin du meme; à une épée d'arg., garnie d'or, posée en bande, br. sur ledit pin. C.: une tete et col d'autour, au nat., surm. de la Légende: VINCIT VERITAS.”
Britainc. 1700
Where the Alison Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Alison arms are recorded
The Alison arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Alison arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Alison Family in Britain
The surname Alison originated as a patronymic, meaning it was derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. It is a diminutive form of the name Alice, which traces its roots back to the Old French name Aalis. During the medieval period in Britain, it was common for families to adopt these names to identify their lineage within a local community. By the time the family was firmly established in Kent in the early 1700s, the name had already been in use across various English regions for several centuries. Families living in Kent during this era often worked in agriculture or local trades, contributing to the development of the county’s economy. The transition of the name from a personal identifier to a permanent family surname reflects the broader social changes occurring in Britain as record-keeping became more standardized for tax and parish purposes.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a bear's head arg. muzzled gu. betw. in chief two fleurs-de-lis or, and in base a fir-tree eradicated of the last surmounted of a sword in bend”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Alison Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Alison arms are recorded
The Alison 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 Britain when the Alison 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 Alison Family in Scotland
The surname Alison has deep roots in Scotland, where it evolved as a patronymic name derived from the medieval given name Alice. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a vibrant hub for commerce and intellectual growth during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Alison family were active participants in the social and professional life of the capital. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the growing urban middle class, contributing to the development of the city as it expanded beyond its medieval walls. Their history reflects the broader movement of Scottish families who transitioned from rural life to the bustling administrative and academic centers of the Lowlands. This period marked a time of significant change for the family, as they became part of the evolving fabric of Scottish society during a century of great modernization.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Adalheidis
A Germanic compound meaning noble and kind or noble sort.
This name
AlisonDerived from a diminutive of Alice, signifying a noble nature or of noble birth.
also spelled
Alyson
Alisson
Allison
Allyson
Related arms
Allisonvariant spelling
Allysonvariant spelling
Alysonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1997
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Kent Archives, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
swordJustice, and military honour
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
swordJustice, and military honour
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
pine treeSteadfastness through every season
