Map of Scotland showing where the Caird arms are recorded
The Caird 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 Caird 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 Caird Family in Scotland
The surname Caird is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, originating from the Gaelic word *ceard*, which refers to a traveling craftsman or a tinker. Historically, these individuals were skilled metalworkers who moved from place to place to repair tools and create essential household items. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in Edinburgh, a city that was then undergoing a period of rapid intellectual and economic growth. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Caird family were living and working within the capital during this era of the Scottish Enlightenment. As the family settled into urban life, they transitioned from the traditional itinerant lifestyle of their ancestors to become integrated members of Edinburgh’s growing professional and merchant classes.
Caird Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
ceard
Gaelic term for a craftsman or skilled worker in metal.
This name
CairdAn occupational surname for a traveling tinker or a skilled metalworker.
also spelled
Kaird
Carde
Kard
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, 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.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
lionCourage, strength and royalty
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
