A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Allardice family of Scotland.
Reg. 4643 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
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 fesse wavy gu. betw. three boars' heads erased sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Allardice Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Allardice arms are recorded
The Allardice 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 Allardice 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 Allardice Family in Scotland
The surname Allardice originates from the lands of Allardyce in Kincardineshire, Scotland, where the family established their roots during the medieval period. The name is locational in nature, meaning it was derived from the specific geographic area held by the early heads of the family. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had expanded their influence beyond their ancestral estates and into the growing urban center of Edinburgh. Records confirm that members of the Allardice family were active residents of the city by 1748, participating in the professional and social life of the Scottish capital during a time of significant cultural growth. This transition from rural landowners to city dwellers reflects the broader movement of Scottish families who sought new opportunities in centers of trade and law as the century progressed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Allardyce
A place name derived from Gaelic meaning rocky or stony land.
This name
AllardiceA Scottish habitational surname originating from the lands of Allardice in Kincardineshire.
also spelled
Allardyce
Allerdice
Allerdyce
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, Register of Testaments, Edinburgh Commissariot, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
