A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Caw family of Scotland.
Reg. 5398 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. betw. three crosses crosslet sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Caw Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Caw arms are recorded
The Caw 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 Caw 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 Caw Family in Scotland
The surname Caw is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with strong connections to the city of Edinburgh by the middle of the eighteenth century. Linguistic researchers often trace the name to the Old Norse word *kali*, which translates to cold or chilly, suggesting that early ancestors may have been associated with the rugged northern landscapes. By 1748, records show that members of the Caw family were well-established residents of Edinburgh, participating in the city's growing professional and merchant classes during the Scottish Enlightenment. These early individuals were often involved in trade and local administration, helping to build the reputation of the name within the capital. As the family grew, they became part of the fabric of urban Scottish life, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the transition from traditional rural roots to the bustling intellectual environment of eighteenth-century Edinburgh.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Calbh
A Gaelic term referring to a bald or hairless person.
This name
CawDerived from a nickname for someone with a bald head or shorn hair.
also spelled
Cawwe
Cawsse
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. Edinburgh Burgess Roll, 1406–1799. 1748
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chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
