Map of Scotland showing where the Clinkscales arms are recorded
The Clinkscales 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 Clinkscales 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 Clinkscales Family in Scotland
The surname Clinkscales is a rare Scottish name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname for a person who worked with scales or weights. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in Edinburgh. Records confirm that members of the Clinkscales family were living in the city by 1748, where they were integrated into the local urban community. While the name is uncommon, its survival through the centuries suggests that these early families were stable residents who participated in the trade and social life of Scotland’s capital. Over time, the family name spread from these urban roots into other regions, though it has remained a distinct marker of Scottish heritage.
Clinkscales Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Clink and Scale
To ring or chime and a flight of stairs or ladder.
This name
ClinkscalesLikely refers to a person who lived near a ringing or resonant staircase.
also spelled
Clinkskales
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 Marriages, 1701–1750
National Records of Scotland, Register of Testaments, Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
helmetWisdom and security in defence
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
helmetWisdom and security in defence
