A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Chisholm family of Scotland.
Reg. 6917 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a boar's head couped or, a bordure nebuly of the second”
EdinburghEdinburgh, c. 1672
Where the Chisholm Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Chisholm arms are recorded
The Chisholm arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1672.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Chisholm 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Chisholm Family in Scotland
The Chisholm name originates from the Scottish Borders and is rooted in the Old English words for a place where chestnut trees grow. While the family later became prominent in the Highlands, records confirm that members of the Chisholm family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1672. During this period, the family was deeply involved in the professional and civic life of the capital city. They often worked as lawyers, merchants, and government officials who helped shape the administration of Scotland. As the family grew, they expanded their influence across different regions, moving from their southern origins to become a recognized name in both urban centers and rural estates. Their presence in Edinburgh during the late 17th century highlights their transition into the professional class that defined Scottish society at the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chese
Old English term for cheese or a place where cheese is made.
This name
ChisholmRefers to a person who lived at or near a cheese-making farm or meadow.
also spelled
Chishum
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, Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, 1672
Way of Plean, George and Squire, Romilly, Scottish Clan and Family Names, 1994
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
bordureA difference between branches of one family
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
