Map of Scotland showing where the Biggar arms are recorded
The Biggar arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1748.
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 Biggar 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Biggar Family in Scotland
The surname Biggar is of territorial origin, meaning it was taken from the town of Biggar located in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The name itself likely comes from the Old Norse word *bygg*, which means barley, and *garðr*, which refers to an enclosed piece of land. By the mid-18th century, members of the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a major center for trade and legal activity during that era. While the family roots are tied to the rural landscape of the Scottish Borders, their migration into the capital city suggests they were active participants in the growing urban economy of the Enlightenment period. Records from this time show individuals with the name working in various professional roles, helping to cement the family name within the historical fabric of Scotland’s capital.
Biggar Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
bygg
Old Norse word for barley.
This name
BiggarA locational surname referring to a settlement where barley was cultivated.
also spelled
Byggar
Bigger
Bygger
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 Testaments (1701–1800), CC8/8
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
