A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Arnot family of Scotland.
Reg. 4697 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a chev. sa. betw. two mullets in chief and a crescent in base gu”
FifeFife, c. 1629
Where the Arnot Arms Were Recorded
Fife
Map of Scotland showing where the Arnot arms are recorded
The Arnot arms were recorded in Fife, c. 1629.
Fife was farming country between two firths, with royal palaces and old burghs along its coast. Its landed families were numerous and close to the court, and closeness to the court brought 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 Scotland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Scotland when the Arnot 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 Fife.
Origin & History of the Arnot Family in Scotland
The surname Arnot originates from the lands of Arnot in the parish of Portmoak, located in the historic county of Fife, Scotland. The name is topographic, meaning it was likely taken from the local landscape where the family first settled. By the early 17th century, the Arnot family had established deep roots in this region, as evidenced by their presence in Fife records dating back to 1629. During this period, the family was recognized as a landed gentry group, meaning they held significant property and played an active role in the local administration of the Scottish Lowlands. Their history is closely tied to the development of Fife, where they maintained their influence through generations of land ownership and participation in regional affairs.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Arn-ot
Derived from the Old Norse name Arne meaning eagle.
This name
ArnotA locational surname referring to a valley or hollow associated with an eagle.
also spelled
Arnat
Related arms
Blacksame arms
Haysimilar arms
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, Register of the Great Seal of Scotland (Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum), 1620–1633
Sibbald, Robert, The History, Ancient and Modern, of the Sheriffdoms of Fife and Kinross, 1710
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
