A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Angus family of Scotland.
Reg. 7132 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Quarterly, as the second Marquis of Douglas, with- in a bordure ar. charged with eight holly leaves vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Angus Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Angus arms are recorded
The Angus 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 Angus 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 Angus Family in Scotland
The surname Angus is a locative name, meaning it was originally derived from the ancient province of Angus in eastern Scotland. During the Middle Ages, people often adopted the name of their home region as a way to identify themselves when they traveled to new areas. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a major hub for trade and intellectual growth during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the family were active residents of the capital at this time, participating in the urban life of a city that was rapidly expanding beyond its medieval walls. These early ancestors were part of a period of significant social change, as families moved from rural regions into the growing metropolitan centers of Scotland to pursue new professional and economic opportunities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aonghus
Derived from the Old Irish elements for one and choice or vigor.
This name
AngusAn ancient Gaelic name interpreted as meaning one strength or exceptional vigor.
also spelled
Angas
Related arms
Douglassimilar arms
Angas, or Angesvariant 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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
bordureA difference between branches of one family
hollyTruth, and protection through winter
