A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coats family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, erm., 2nd and 3rd, paly of six or and sa”
The Coats arms were recorded in Yorkshire, c. 1620.
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 England in this period.
Reigning in England when the Coats arms are first recorded.
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
The family name Coats is rooted in the landscape of northern England, where it first appeared as a descriptive identifier for people living near small shelters or modest dwellings. By the early seventeenth century, the name was firmly established in the county of Yorkshire, a region defined by its rolling hills and strong agricultural traditions. Families bearing this name likely worked the land or participated in the local wool trade, which was the primary economic engine of the area during that period. These early ancestors lived in tight-knit rural communities where surnames were often tied to a specific location or a simple physical landmark. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Yorkshire, contributing to the development of the local villages that would eventually shape the history of the region.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
duckResourcefulness on land and waterSir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)“Ar. a stag's head erased gu. betw. the horns a pheon az. all betw. three coots ppr”
The Coats arms were recorded in Glasgow, c. 1763.
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.
Reigning in England when the Coats arms are first recorded.
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.
The family name Coats has deep roots in the Lowlands of Scotland, particularly within the bustling urban center of Glasgow. By the year 1763, members of the family were already established residents in this region, which was then undergoing a period of rapid economic growth due to the expansion of transatlantic trade. The name itself is often classified as a topographical surname, meaning it likely originated from people who lived near a specific shelter, hut, or small cottage in the countryside. As families moved from rural agricultural areas into the growing city of Glasgow during the eighteenth century, they brought their surnames with them, helping to solidify the name within the local population. These early ancestors were part of a changing Scottish society that saw a shift from traditional farming life to the industrial and commercial opportunities found in the city. Through these transitions, the name became a permanent part of the historical record in the west of Scotland.
Old English term for a small house, cottage, or shelter.
