A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Armit family of Scotland.
Reg. 1058 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
helmetWisdom and security in defence
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. three helmets close ar. a bordure or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Armit Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Armit arms are recorded
The Armit 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 Armit 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 Armit Family in Scotland
The surname Armit is primarily associated with the Lowlands of Scotland, where it has deep roots in the urban history of Edinburgh. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established within the city, as evidenced by records confirming their presence there in 1748. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the older name Armet, which likely originated as a descriptive nickname or a localized occupational term. During the 1700s, Edinburgh was a rapidly changing city, and families like the Armits were part of the growing professional and artisan classes that helped shape the capital’s social landscape. As the family moved through the generations, they became integrated into the fabric of Scottish life, leaving a trail of records that document their steady growth and influence in the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ermin
Derived from the Germanic element meaning whole, universal, or entire.
This name
ArmitA Scottish patronymic surname originating as a diminutive form of names beginning with the element Ermin.
also spelled
Armet
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Marriages, 1701–1750
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
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
helmetWisdom and security in defence
bordureA difference between branches of one family
helmetWisdom and security in defence
