A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arbuthnot family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 1749 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a crescent betw. three stars ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Arbuthnot Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Arbuthnot arms are recorded
The Arbuthnot 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 Arbuthnot 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 Arbuthnot Family in Scotland
The name Arbuthnot originates from the lands of Arbuthnott in Kincardineshire, Scotland, where the family established deep roots as early as the twelfth century. The name itself is derived from the Gaelic words for a narrow valley or a stream, reflecting the geography of the area where the first members of the family settled. By the time the family appeared in Edinburgh records in 1748, they had already spent hundreds of years as prominent landowners and local leaders in the northeast. Over these centuries, the family grew from local territorial lords into a wider network of merchants, scholars, and public officials. Their presence in the capital city during the mid-eighteenth century highlights the transition of many Scottish families from rural estates to the growing urban centers of the Enlightenment. This shift allowed the family to influence the intellectual and economic life of Scotland during a period of rapid national change.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cinquefoilHope and joy
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a crescent betw. three stars within a bordure ar. charged with eight cinquefoils of the first”
EnglandCatherlan, c. 1620
Where the Arbuthnot Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Arbuthnot arms are recorded
The Arbuthnot arms were recorded in Catherlan, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Arbuthnot 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 England.
Origin & History of the Arbuthnot Family in England
The Arbuthnot family name originates from a specific place in Scotland, but its presence in England became notable by the early seventeenth century. By 1620, records confirm that members of the family had established themselves in the city of York. During this period, York served as a major center for trade and administration in Northern England, making it a logical destination for families looking to expand their influence beyond their ancestral lands. While the name is deeply tied to its Scottish roots, the migration of these individuals into English urban centers reflects the broader movement of people across the British Isles during the Stuart era. These early settlers in York likely integrated into the local merchant or professional classes, helping to transition the family name from a regional identifier into one recognized across different parts of the kingdom.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aberbuthenoth
Gaelic for mouth of the river of the hidden people
This name
ArbuthnotRefers to a location in Kincardineshire, Scotland, associated with the confluence of a stream.
also spelled
Arbuthnett
Arbuthnotte
Arbuthnat
Related arms
Arbuttvariant spelling
Christisonrecorded with Arbuthnot, same area
Falshawrecorded with Arbuthnot, same area
Brownerecorded with Arbuthnot, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Arbuthnot, Ada J. C., Memories of the Arbuthnots of Kincardineshire and Aberdeenshire, 1920
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.
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bordureA difference between branches of one family
cinquefoilHope and joy
