Map of Scotland showing where the Cassar arms are recorded
The Cassar 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 Cassar 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 Cassar Family in Scotland
The surname Cassar is primarily associated with Mediterranean origins, particularly from Malta and Sicily, where it has been documented for centuries. While the name is deeply rooted in these southern regions, historical records confirm that members of the family had established a presence in Scotland by 1748. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, attracting people from across Europe who sought new opportunities in commerce or the military. The arrival of the Cassar family in Scotland suggests a history of migration linked to the maritime networks that connected the Mediterranean to the British Isles. These early settlers likely integrated into the local community through their professional skills, contributing to the diverse social fabric of eighteenth-century Edinburgh.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Casa
Latin term referring to a cottage, hut, or small house.
This name
CassarAn occupational surname for someone who lived in or worked at a small house or cottage.
also spelled
Cosser
Cossart
Cosars
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Register of Deeds, RD1/542 (1748)
Bugeja, L., L-Istorja tal-Kunjomijiet Maltin, 2004
Cassar, C., A Concise History of Malta, 2000
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saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
