A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Carse family of Scotland.
Reg. 3503 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. on a saltire vert, betw. four crosses crosslet fitchée gu. five crescents of the field”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Carse Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Carse arms are recorded
The Carse 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 Carse 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 Carse Family in Scotland
The surname Carse is a topographical name that originated in Scotland, specifically referring to people who lived on or near a "carse," which is a Scots term for low-lying, fertile land near a river. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that was then undergoing significant social and architectural changes during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Carse family were active participants in the life of the capital, likely contributing to the city's growing reputation as a center for trade, law, and intellectual progress. Because the name is tied to the physical landscape of the Scottish Lowlands, it suggests that the family’s ancestors were likely farmers or landholders who moved from rural areas into the city as Edinburgh expanded. This transition reflects the broader historical movement of families seeking new opportunities in urban centers during the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Carse
A Scottish term for low-lying, fertile land near a river.
This name
CarseRefers to a person who lived on or near a marshy river valley or meadow.
also spelled
Karse
Carss
Related arms
Ramsayrecorded with Carse, 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, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Commissariot Record of Edinburgh, 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
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cross symbolChristian faith and service
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
