A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cossar family of Scotland.
Reg. 9116 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
Colours
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)
“Sa. a saltire or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Cossar Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cossar arms are recorded
The Cossar 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 Cossar 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 Cossar Family in Scotland
The surname Cossar has deep roots in the Lowlands of Scotland, where it emerged as a distinct family name during the late medieval and early modern periods. While the name is often associated with the border regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. During this era, the city was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Cossars often worked as skilled tradesmen or merchants to support the expanding urban economy. The name itself is thought to be a variation of older occupational or locational terms, reflecting the way surnames evolved as people moved into growing cities. By the mid-eighteenth century, the Cossar family had become a part of the vibrant social fabric of Scotland’s capital, contributing to the daily life and development of the city during a time of significant cultural change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Corser
An occupational term for a horse dealer or trader.
This name
CossarA Scottish topographic or occupational surname derived from a dealer in horses.
also spelled
Cosser
Cossart
Cosars
Related arms
Cosarsvariant 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, Edinburgh Register of Marriages, 1701–1800, OPR 685/1
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
