A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Armitstead family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7733 · 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
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a chev. embattled sa. betw. three pheons gu. a border of the last”
PerthshirePerthshire, c. 1748
Where the Armitstead Arms Were Recorded
Perthshire
Map of Scotland showing where the Armitstead arms are recorded
The Armitstead arms were recorded in Perthshire, c. 1748.
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 Armitstead 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 Perthshire.
Origin & History of the Armitstead Family in Scotland
The family name Armitstead is rooted in the landscape of northern England and southern Scotland, where it originated as a locative surname describing someone who lived at a "hermit’s place" or a secluded dwelling. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the county of Perthshire, Scotland. Records confirm that members of the Armitstead family were living in this region by 1748, likely drawn to the area by the expansion of local agriculture and the development of the textile trade. During this era, families with this name often integrated into the local community through farming or skilled craftsmanship, moving away from the border regions to settle in the fertile valleys of central Scotland. This migration reflects the broader movement of families across the border during the eighteenth century as they sought new opportunities for land and work in the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, a chev. counter-embattled sa. betw. three pheons az. two flaunches gu. each charged with a tilting spear erect of the field headed ar”
ChesterChester, c. 1799
Where the Armitstead Arms Were Recorded
Chester
Map of England showing where the Armitstead arms are recorded
The Armitstead arms were recorded in Chester, c. 1799.
Cheshire was governed apart from the rest of England for much of its history, with its own courts and its own gentry. That separateness bred a strong local landed class, and landed families 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.
George III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Scotland when the Armitstead 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 Chester.
Origin & History of the Armitstead Family in England
The surname Armitstead is a locational name that originated in the northern regions of England, specifically derived from the Old English words for a hermitage or a dwelling place. Families bearing this name were historically tied to the landscape of the North West, where they established roots in rural communities before moving into growing urban centers. By the late 18th century, the family had a notable presence in the city of Chester. Records from 1799 show members of the Armitstead family living in this historic walled city, which served as a major hub for trade and administration at the time. This transition from smaller settlements to a prominent city like Chester reflects the broader movement of families during the Industrial Revolution as they sought new opportunities in commerce and professional life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ermitstede
Old English for a hermitage or a place of a hermit.
This name
ArmitsteadDerived from a locational surname referring to a dwelling place belonging to a hermit.
also spelled
Armistead
Related arms
Armisteadvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Births and Baptisms, Perthshire, 1748
Black, George F., 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bordureA difference between branches of one family
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
flaunchesA reward for virtue and learning
