A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bennie family of Scotland.
Reg. 2542 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cinquefoilHope and joy
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a bend. sa. betw. a cinquefoil in chief gu. and a sword in pale az. bladed or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Bennie Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Bennie arms are recorded
The Bennie 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 Bennie 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 Bennie Family in Scotland
The surname Bennie is a Scottish name that likely originated as a shortened version of the name Benjamin or as a descriptive term for a person living in a specific location. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in Edinburgh, a city that was then undergoing a major transformation during the Scottish Enlightenment. In 1748, members of the Bennie family were active participants in the social and economic life of the capital, likely working in the trades or professional sectors that supported the growing urban population. During this era, Edinburgh was a hub for trade and intellectual exchange, and families like the Bennies were part of the fabric of the city as it expanded beyond its medieval walls. While the name remains tied to these early Scottish roots, it reflects the broader history of families who helped build the infrastructure and community of Edinburgh during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Benedictus
Latin for blessed or well spoken of.
This name
BennieA Scottish diminutive form of Benedict, signifying one who is blessed or fortunate.
also spelled
Benny
Benney
Bennis
Beny
Related arms
Bennisvariant spelling
Bennyvariant spelling
Benyvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Births and Baptisms, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
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