A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cairnie family of Scotland.
Reg. 5639 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a rock issuing from the base sa. in chief two martlets gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Cairnie Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cairnie arms are recorded
The Cairnie 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 Cairnie 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 Cairnie Family in Scotland
The surname Cairnie is a locational name that originates from the lands of Cairnie in the parish of Skene, located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. In the Scots language, the term refers to a stony or rocky place, which likely described the landscape where the first families settled. By the mid-eighteenth century, members of the family had moved away from these rural northern roots and established a presence in the bustling capital of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 show that these individuals were integrated into the urban life of the city, working as tradespeople and merchants during a time of significant economic growth. As they settled in Edinburgh, the family name became part of the city’s evolving social fabric, marking a transition from their agricultural origins to the professional opportunities found in a major Scottish center.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cairn
A mound of rough stones built as a memorial or landmark.
This name
CairnieRefers to someone who lived near a stony mound or a rocky hill.
also spelled
Cairney
Related arms
Kairnievariant spelling
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 Burgess and Guild Register. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
