A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blackie family of Scotland.
Reg. 9755 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a fesse az. three crescents or, in chief a red breast ppr”
ScotlandJohn Blackie, c. 1866
Where the Blackie Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Blackie arms are recorded
The Blackie arms were recorded in John Blackie, c. 1866.
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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Scotland when the Blackie 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 Blackie Family in Scotland
The surname Blackie is primarily rooted in the Lowlands of Scotland, where it emerged as a descriptive nickname. In the Scots language, the name likely referred to someone with a dark complexion or perhaps someone who wore dark clothing. By the mid-19th century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. During the 1866 period, the city was undergoing a massive transformation as it expanded beyond its medieval boundaries into the New Town and surrounding districts. Families like the Blackies were part of this urban growth, often working in the skilled trades or professional sectors that fueled the city's status as a center of commerce and education. This era saw the family integrated into the daily life of a bustling capital, contributing to the social and economic fabric of Victorian Scotland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blæc
Old English term referring to the color black or dark.
This name
BlackieA descriptive nickname for someone with dark hair or a dark complexion.
also spelled
Blackey
Blacky
Blackee
Related arms
Blakie, or Blackievariant 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, Statutory Registers of Births, Deaths and Marriages, 1866
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
