A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cargill family of Scotland.
Reg. 9979 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Erm. a saltire gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Cargill Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cargill arms are recorded
The Cargill 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 Cargill 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 Cargill Family in Scotland
The surname Cargill is of locational origin, meaning it was first taken by people who lived near the village of Cargill in Perthshire, Scotland. The name is derived from the Gaelic words "cathair," meaning a fort or settlement, and "coille," which refers to a wood or forest. By the mid-eighteenth century, families bearing this name had established a firm presence in the city of Edinburgh. During this period, Edinburgh was a growing center of trade and intellectual life, and families like the Cargills were often involved in the city's expanding commercial and professional sectors. As the family became more settled in the capital, they contributed to the local community through their work and daily lives, helping to shape the urban history of Scotland during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caer-chill
A fortified place or castle located near a stream or river.
This name
CargillDerived from a Scottish place name referring to a settlement situated by a fort or river.
also spelled
Cargyll
Cargile
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, Old Parish Registers of Births and Baptisms, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
