A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cassels family of Scotland.
Reg. 3853 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 chev. gu. betw. two cross crosslets fitchée in chief and a key fessways wards downwards in base sa”
StirlingGreenknowe · Stirling, c. 1864
Where the Cassels Arms Were Recorded
Stirling
Map of Scotland showing where the Cassels arms are recorded
The Cassels arms were recorded in Stirling, c. 1864.
Stirling guarded the crossing between the Highlands and the Lowlands and held a royal castle. Families with business at court settled nearby, and closeness to the court brought arms.
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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Scotland when the Cassels 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 Stirling.
Origin & History of the Cassels Family in Scotland
The surname Cassels is primarily of Scottish origin and is historically linked to the Lowlands, particularly the areas surrounding Stirling and Lanarkshire. The name is often considered a locational surname, likely derived from the word "castle," which suggests that early ancestors may have lived near or worked at a fortified residence. By the mid-19th century, the family had established a firm presence in Stirling, a city of great strategic importance due to its position as a gateway between the Highlands and the Lowlands. During the 1860s, families like the Cassels were often part of the growing urban workforce that supported the region’s expanding industries. As the family settled into this historic environment, they became part of the long tradition of Scottish families who contributed to the local economy and community life of the Stirling area.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Castellum
Latin term for a small fort or castle.
This name
CasselsDerived from a habitational name referring to someone living near a castle or fortified place.
also spelled
Cassiles
Cassell
Related arms
Carlyonsimilar arms
Cassell, or Casselvariant spelling
Pringlerecorded with Cassels, 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, Statutory Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths, 1864
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
