A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bean family of Scotland.
Reg. 2668 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, 1st, or, a lion ramp. gu.; 2nd, ar. a dexter hand couped apaumée gu.; 3rd, ar. a sword in pale within a bordure indented gu.; 4th, or, a lymphad, her oars in saltire sa”
InvernessInverness, c. 1672
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Map of Scotland showing where the Bean arms are recorded
The Bean arms were recorded in Inverness, c. 1672.
Inverness was the largest Highland county, clan country of glens and long sea lochs. Chiefs recorded arms to mark the head of a family, and cadet branches recorded their own to show their place.
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 II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Bean 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 Inverness.
Origin & History of the Bean Family in Scotland
The surname Bean has deep roots in the Scottish Highlands, where it emerged as a name often associated with the Gaelic word *beath*, meaning life or birch tree. By the year 1672, historical records confirm that members of the Bean family were firmly established in the city of Inverness. During this period, Inverness served as a vital cultural and economic hub for the region, and families living there were often involved in the trade and governance of the Scottish Highlands. The name likely developed as a descriptive nickname for an ancestor, which then transitioned into a permanent family name as record-keeping became more formal in northern Scotland. Over time, these early settlers helped shape the local community, leaving a legacy that persisted long after the seventeenth century.
Bean Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
beath
A Gaelic term referring to life or vitality.
This name
BeanA descriptive nickname for a lively, spirited, or fair-haired individual.
also spelled
Bean
Mabean
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
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
handFaith, sincerity and justice
swordJustice, and military honour
shipEnterprise, and a great voyage undertaken
