A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Boole family of Scotland.
Reg. 9375 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. three stags' horns ar”
ScotlandBalburny, c. 1748
Where the Boole Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Boole arms are recorded
The Boole arms were recorded in Balburny, 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 Boole 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 Boole Family in Scotland
The surname Boole is thought to have originated as a descriptive name, likely derived from the Middle English word "bole," which referred to a tree trunk or a person of sturdy build. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, Scotland, as evidenced by records dating back to 1748. During this era, Edinburgh was a vibrant hub of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Booles were often integrated into the city’s growing professional and merchant classes. While the name is relatively rare, its appearance in Scottish municipal and parish registers suggests that early members of the family were settled residents who participated in the social and economic life of the capital. These early records provide a clear link to the family's history in the region, marking them as part of the urban development that defined Scotland during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bolla
Old Norse term referring to a bowl or a rounded vessel.
This name
BooleA topographic name for someone who lived near a bowl-shaped valley or depression.
also spelled
Boule
Boles
Related arms
Bolesvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms, Edinburgh (1748)
Black, George F., 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.
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
