A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Brisbon family of Scotland.
Reg. 8851 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 chev. sa. three martlets or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Brisbon Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Brisbon arms are recorded
The Brisbon 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 Brisbon 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 Brisbon Family in Scotland
The family name Brisbon traces its roots to the historic landscape of Scotland, where early records confirm the presence of the family in Edinburgh by 1748. The name is believed to be a variation of the older Scottish surname Brisbane, which originated in the Renfrewshire region. During the eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a vibrant center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families living in the city were often involved in the growing trade, legal, or academic sectors that defined the era. As the family established itself in the capital, they became part of the urban fabric of a city undergoing rapid social and architectural change. While the name remained relatively rare, its presence in official city records highlights the family’s integration into the professional life of Scotland during a period of significant national development.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Briser-ban
Old French for to break or shatter a bone.
This name
BrisbonA nickname for a person of great physical strength or a formidable warrior.
also spelled
Brisbane
Related arms
Brisbanevariant 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 Sasines, 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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
