A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Blyth family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 7223 · 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
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. on a fesse betw. three crescents gu. as many garbs or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Blyth Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Blyth arms are recorded
The Blyth 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 Blyth 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 Blyth Family in Scotland
The surname Blyth is rooted in the Old English word blithe, which translates to cheerful or gentle. While the name has deep connections to northern England, it became well-established in Scotland by the mid-eighteenth century. By 1748, records confirm that members of the Blyth family were living and working in Edinburgh. During this era, Edinburgh was a hub of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Blyths were often involved in the city’s growing trade and professional sectors. As the family settled into the urban landscape, they became part of the social fabric of Scotland’s capital during a time of significant cultural and economic change. Their presence in the city archives during this period reflects the broader movement of families seeking opportunities in the developing centers of Scottish life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. three stags trippant gu. attired or”
NorfolkWeasenham Hall · Norfolk, c. 1620
Where the Blyth Arms Were Recorded
Norfolk
Map of England showing where the Blyth arms are recorded
The Blyth arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Blyth arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Blyth Family in England
The surname Blyth is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from the geography of the landscape rather than a specific occupation or personal trait. The name is derived from the Old English word blithe, which translates to gentle, kind, or cheerful. Historically, families bearing this name settled near the River Blyth in various parts of England, as the word was often used to describe a pleasant or winding stream. By the early seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in the county of Norfolk. Records from 1620 show that members of the Blyth family were active participants in the local community during this period, likely working as farmers or tradespeople in the rural parishes. This era was a time of significant social change in East Anglia, and the presence of the family in Norfolk suggests they were part of the stable, land-owning or tenant-farming class that helped shape the region's agricultural identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
blithe
Old English word meaning cheerful, merry, or gentle in disposition.
This name
BlythA topographical name for someone who lived near a pleasant or cheerful stream.
also spelled
Blithe
Blith
Related arms
Blithvariant spelling
Blithevariant spelling
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, 1748
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
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
