A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barns family of Scotland.
Reg. 8113 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 fesse az. betw. three arrows point downwards gu”
ScotlandGlasgow, c. 1770
Where the Barns Arms Were Recorded
Glasgow
Map of Scotland showing where the Barns arms are recorded
The Barns arms were recorded in Glasgow, c. 1770.
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 III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1760–1801
Reigning in Scotland when the Barns 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 Barns Family in Scotland
The family name Barns is primarily topographic in origin, meaning it was originally used to identify people who lived near a barn or worked as keepers of a granary. In the context of Scotland, the name became firmly established in the bustling urban environment of Glasgow by the late 18th century. During the 1770s, Glasgow was undergoing a period of rapid economic transformation driven by international trade and the early stages of the Industrial Revolution. Families named Barns living in the city at this time were likely part of a growing class of merchants, skilled tradespeople, or laborers who contributed to the city’s expansion. By settling in such a significant commercial hub, these early ancestors were positioned at the center of Scottish social and economic life as the country moved toward modernity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bere
Old English term for barley or a grain storage building.
This name
BarnsA topographical name for someone who lived near a barn or granary.
also spelled
Barnes
Berns
Barnis
Barne
Related arms
Barnevariant spelling
Barnesvariant spelling
Bernsvariant spelling
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
Devine, Thomas Martin. The Tobacco Lords: A Study of the Tobacco Merchants of Glasgow and their Trading Activities. 1975
National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Burgh Records, B28/15
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
