A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Archibald family of Scotland.
Reg. 4784 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 bend az. betw. two mullets of the second a crescent of the first”
ScotlandBlackhall, c. 1748
Where the Archibald Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Archibald arms are recorded
The Archibald arms were recorded in Blackhall, 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 Archibald 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 Archibald Family in Scotland
The name Archibald originates from the Germanic name Ercanbald, which combines elements meaning genuine or precious and bold. It was brought to Scotland during the Middle Ages and became a popular given name before evolving into a hereditary surname. By the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that was then undergoing significant social and intellectual growth during the Scottish Enlightenment. Families bearing this name were often integrated into the urban life of the capital, working in various trades and professions that supported the city’s expanding economy. Because the name was widely used across the Lowlands, those living in Edinburgh in 1748 were part of a long tradition of families who helped shape the civic and cultural identity of Scotland’s capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ercanbald
Derived from Germanic elements meaning genuine or precious and bold.
This name
ArchibaldA Scottish name signifying a truly bold, brave, or precious leader.
also spelled
Archibaldt
Archiball
Archibault
Related arms
Erchebold, or Erchebaldvariant spelling
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, Edinburgh Register of Sasines, 1748
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
