A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Buchan family of Scotland.
Reg. 0697 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. a garb az. banded or, betw. three lions' heads erased sa. a bordure crenellé of the second”
Scotlandc. 1690
Where the Buchan Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Buchan arms are recorded
The Buchan arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1690.
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.
Mary II of England
Sovereign of the period
Mary II of England
1689–1694
Reigning in Scotland when the Buchan 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 Buchan Family in Scotland
The family name Buchan originates from the historic district of Buchan in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where the name was first used as a geographical identifier for those living in that region. By the late 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the capital city of Edinburgh. Records from 1690 confirm that members of the family were active in the urban life of the city during a time of significant political and social transition in Scotland. As the family moved away from their ancestral lands in the northeast, they integrated into the professional and merchant classes of Edinburgh. This shift reflects the broader trend of Scottish families moving toward urban centers to pursue new opportunities in law, trade, and administration during the late Stuart period.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Bucan
Derived from the Gaelic word for a place of cows or cattle.
This name
BuchanRefers to a person originating from the district of Buchan in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Related arms
Inglisrecorded with Buchan, same area
Leslierecorded with Buchan, same area
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 Testaments, 1690
Scottish Record Society, The Commissariot Record of Edinburgh: Register of Testaments, 1514–1600, 1897
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
wheatsheafPlenty, and the harvest of one's own labour
lionCourage, strength and royalty
