A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Alves family of Scotland.
Reg. 6765 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 chev. az. betw. three trefoils slipped vert as many mullets of the field a bordure sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Alves Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Alves arms are recorded
The Alves 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 Alves 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 Alves Family in Scotland
The surname Alves is primarily of Portuguese and Galician origin, derived from the given name Álvaro, which means "all-guarding" or "elf-warrior." While the name is deeply rooted in the Iberian Peninsula, it eventually spread across Europe through trade and migration. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, Scotland. Records confirm that members of the Alves family were active in the city by 1748, where they integrated into the local professional and social circles of the time. This transition from a Mediterranean heritage to the bustling streets of Edinburgh highlights the mobility of families during the Enlightenment era. Their presence in Scotland suggests a history shaped by international connections and the shifting landscapes of European commerce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alv
Derived from the Old Norse name Alfr meaning elf or supernatural being.
This name
AlvesA patronymic surname signifying son of Alv or son of the elf.
also spelled
Alvis
Alviss
Alvys
Related arms
Gilbertsimilar arms
Alvasvariant spelling
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
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
Hanks, Patrick, Dictionary of American Family Names, 2003
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
bordureA difference between branches of one family
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
