A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cobell family of Scotland.
Reg. 9653 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 cross crosslet fitchée or, on a chief ar. two mullets sa”
ScotlandBallignoth, c. 1748
Where the Cobell Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cobell arms are recorded
The Cobell arms were recorded in Ballignoth, 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 Cobell 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 Cobell Family in Scotland
The surname Cobell is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Scotland, with documented evidence placing family members in Edinburgh as early as 1748. During the mid-eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a vibrant hub of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Cobells were often part of the growing urban middle class that supported the city’s expansion. The name likely evolved from regional dialects or occupational descriptions common in the Lowlands, reflecting the linguistic shifts occurring in Scotland at that time. As the family established itself in the capital, they became part of the social fabric of a city undergoing rapid modernization and intellectual growth. By tracing their presence back to this period, we see a family that lived through a transformative era of Scottish history, contributing to the development of a city that was rapidly becoming a center for trade, law, and education.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cob
A diminutive or nickname form of the name Jacob.
This name
CobellA patronymic surname meaning son of the one nicknamed Cob or Jacob.
also spelled
Cobill
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms, Edinburgh, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Register of Testaments, Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1748–1760
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
