A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bothwell family of Scotland.
Reg. 9875 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. on a chev. betw. three trefoils slipped or, a crescent gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Bothwell Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Bothwell arms are recorded
The Bothwell 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 Bothwell 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 Bothwell Family in Scotland
The surname Bothwell originates from a territorial designation in Lanarkshire, Scotland, derived from the lands located near the River Clyde. While the name is famously linked to historical figures like the Earls of Bothwell, many families bearing this name established themselves in various Scottish urban centers over the centuries. By 1748, records confirm that members of the Bothwell family were well-integrated into the social and professional life of Edinburgh. During this period, the city was undergoing significant growth, and families like the Bothwells often participated in the expanding trade and legal sectors that defined the capital. Their presence in the city suggests a transition from rural landholding roots to the urban middle class, reflecting the broader movement of Scottish families toward centers of commerce and education during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bothwell
Derived from Old Norse 'both' meaning booth and 'well' meaning spring.
This name
BothwellA Scottish habitational name referring to a dwelling or settlement located near a spring.
also spelled
Bothel
Related arms
Bothellvariant spelling
Bothnellvariant 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, 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
