A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Congalton family of Scotland.
Reg. 9566 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a bend gu. in chief a label of three points sa., 2nd and 3rd, ar. a fesse sa. betw. two cotises compony az. and of the second”
ScotlandCongalton, c. 1748
Where the Congalton Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Congalton arms are recorded
The Congalton arms were recorded in Congalton, 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 Congalton 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 Congalton Family in Scotland
The surname Congalton originates from the lands of Congalton in the parish of Dirleton, located in East Lothian, Scotland. The family name is topographic, meaning it was taken from this specific geographic location during the medieval period when surnames first became common. By the mid-eighteenth century, members of the family had established themselves in the growing urban center of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm their presence in the capital city, where they participated in the professional and social life of the Scottish Enlightenment. Over time, the family name spread from its rural roots in East Lothian to become a recognized part of the historical fabric of Edinburgh.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cuneglasus
Derived from Brittonic elements meaning hound and grey or blue.
This name
CongaltonA habitational name originating from the lands of Congalton in East Lothian, Scotland.
also spelled
Congleton
Related arms
Congletonvariant spelling
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 Testaments, Edinburgh Commissariot, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
labelThe eldest son, during his father's life
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
