A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blaw family of Scotland.
Reg. 6487 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a saltire az. on a chief gu. three escutcheons or”
ScotlandCastlehill, c. 1748
Where the Blaw Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Blaw arms are recorded
The Blaw arms were recorded in Castlehill, 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 Blaw 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 Blaw Family in Scotland
The surname Blaw is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with significant records placing the family in Edinburgh by the middle of the eighteenth century. Linguistic historians often trace the name to older Scots or Germanic roots, where it may have functioned as a descriptive nickname or a locational identifier for people living near specific landmarks. By 1748, the Blaw family was well-established within the urban landscape of Edinburgh, participating in the city’s vibrant trade and social life during a period of great intellectual growth. While the name is relatively rare, its presence in official city registers suggests that early members were integrated into the professional and civic structures of the Scottish capital. These early ancestors helped shape the family legacy by navigating the changing economic environment of the Enlightenment era, leaving behind a trail of documents that confirm their long-standing connection to the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Blae
A Scots term referring to the color blue or dark leaden gray.
This name
BlawA topographic name for someone who lived near a dark or bluish-colored hill or moor.
also spelled
Blau
Related arms
Cuthbertrecorded with Blaw, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Burgess and Guild Register, 1748
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.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
