A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Beath family of Scotland.
Reg. 0844 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
handFaith, sincerity and justice
Colours
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)
“Gu. a dexter hand fesseways holding a rapier erect, on the point a boar's head ppr”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Beath Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Beath arms are recorded
The Beath 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 Beath 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 Beath Family in Scotland
The surname Beath is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with its origins likely tied to the geography of the Fife region. The name is thought to derive from the Gaelic word "beithe," which refers to the birch tree, suggesting that early ancestors may have lived near a prominent grove or woodland. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a documented presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a bustling hub for trade and social advancement during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Beath family were active participants in the life of the capital, contributing to the professional and civic fabric of the city as it expanded beyond its medieval walls. This transition from rural origins to urban life reflects the broader movement of Scottish families seeking new opportunities in the growing centers of industry and commerce during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
beith
A Gaelic term referring to the birch tree.
This name
BeathDerived from a topographic location associated with birch woods or a birch grove.
also spelled
Beth
Bethe
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. Edinburgh Register of Testaments. Reference CC8/8/111. 1748
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handFaith, sincerity and justice
handFaith, sincerity and justice
