Map of Scotland showing where the Boyd arms are recorded
The Boyd arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1672.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Boyd 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Boyd Family in Scotland
PronunciationBOYD/bɔɪd/
The surname Boyd is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with its origins often linked to the Gaelic word "buidhe," which translates to yellow or fair-haired. Early members of the family established themselves as significant figures in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly within the region of Ayrshire, before expanding their influence toward the capital city of Edinburgh. By the year 1672, records confirm that the family had firmly integrated into the social and administrative life of Edinburgh, a time when the city was a bustling center of trade and political activity. As the family grew, they became known for their involvement in local governance and their connection to the evolving landscape of Scottish society. Their presence in the capital during the late seventeenth century highlights their transition from regional landowners to influential urban citizens who helped shape the history of their nation.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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. a fesse chequy or and gu. in chief three mullets of the second, in base a crescent gold”
KentDanson · Kent, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Boyd arms are recorded
The Boyd arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
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 Boyd 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Boyd Family in England
PronunciationBOYD/bɔɪd/
The history of the Boyd name in England is deeply connected to the movement of families across the British Isles during the early seventeenth century. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the county of Kent by 1620. During this period, Kent served as a vital gateway for trade and migration, placing the family in a region characterized by agricultural prosperity and close ties to London. Families settling in this area often integrated into the local parish systems, where their names were recorded in baptismal and marriage registers. These early residents helped shape the local community through their involvement in land management and regional commerce. By establishing themselves in Kent, the Boyd family became part of the social fabric of southern England, transitioning from their ancestral roots into the evolving landscape of the English countryside.
Boyd Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
buidhe
A Gaelic adjective meaning yellow or fair-haired.
This name
BoydDerived from a descriptive nickname for someone with fair hair or a pale complexion.
also spelled
Boid
Related arms
Shawrecorded with Boyd, same area
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. Register of the Privy Seal of Scotland. 1672
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
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
