A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carncross family of Scotland.
Reg. 6266 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a buck's head erased ar. attired or, pendent from a crimson ribbon bordered blue, in the centre chief a representation of the golden cross, presented to him by King George III., for the signal intrepidity displayed by him in the Peninsular War. Also to WILLIAM CARNCROSS, only surviving brother of JOSEPH HUGH CARNCROSS: betw. the attires of the stag as aforesaid, and in place of the said gold cross a saltire ar. surmounted of another gu”
Scotlandc. 1814
Where the Carncross Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Carncross arms are recorded
The Carncross arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1814.
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 III of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George III of Great Britain
1801–1820
Reigning in Scotland when the Carncross 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 Carncross Family in Scotland
The family name Carncross is a locational surname that originates from the Scottish Borders region. It is derived from the lands of Cairncross, which were situated near the town of Lauder in Berwickshire. The name itself combines the Gaelic word for a cairn, or a mound of stones, with the word for a cross, suggesting that the family’s early ancestors lived near a prominent stone monument or a religious marker. By the early nineteenth century, members of the family had moved from these rural roots into the urban landscape of Edinburgh. Records confirm their presence in the city by 1814, where they integrated into the growing professional and social life of the Scottish capital during a period of significant architectural and cultural expansion.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cairn Cross
A stone mound or heap marking a crossroads or boundary.
This name
CarncrossA topographical surname referring to someone who lived near a stone monument located at a crossroads.
also spelled
Cairncross
Carncrose
Related arms
Cairncrossvariant 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. Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms. 1814
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
