Map of Scotland showing where the Chisley arms are recorded
The Chisley arms were recorded in Kersewell, 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 Chisley 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 Chisley Family in Scotland
The surname Chisley is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with records confirming that family members were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. The name is often considered a locational surname, which suggests that the earliest ancestors likely took the name from a specific place or small settlement in the Scottish Lowlands. During the mid-18th century, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Chisleys were often involved in the professional life of the city. As the family grew, they became part of the urban fabric of Scotland’s capital during a time of significant social and economic change. While the exact origins of the name remain tied to the regional dialects of the era, the presence of the Chisley family in official city documents from the 1700s highlights their long-standing connection to the Scottish landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Chisel
A sharp metal tool used for cutting or carving stone or wood.
This name
ChisleyDerived from an occupational name for a stonecutter or a worker who used a chisel.
also spelled
Chiesley
Chiesleigh
Chieslie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
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