A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Braidwood family of Scotland.
Reg. 5576 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 chev. gu. three crosses crosslet of the field, in base an oak tree growing out of a mount vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Braidwood Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Braidwood arms are recorded
The Braidwood 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 Braidwood 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 Braidwood Family in Scotland
The surname Braidwood is a locational name that originated from the lands of Braidwood in the parish of Carluke, located in the county of Lanarkshire, Scotland. The name itself is derived from the Old English words "brad," meaning broad, and "wudu," meaning wood, which likely described the physical landscape of the area where the family first settled. By the mid-eighteenth century, members of the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, where they became influential figures in the city's professional and social life. Records from 1748 confirm that the Braidwoods were active participants in the urban development of Scotland’s capital, transitioning from their rural roots to become key contributors to the city's growing industries and academic circles. This migration from the Lanarkshire countryside to the heart of Edinburgh reflects the broader movement of Scottish families seeking new opportunities during a period of significant economic and cultural growth.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brad-wudu
Old English terms for broad and wood or forest.
This name
BraidwoodRefers to someone who lived near a wide or expansive forest area.
also spelled
Braydwood
Braidwode
Related arms
Norwoodsimilar arms
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, Register of Deeds, RD1/542, 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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
oakGreat age, strength and steadfastness
