A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cousland family of Scotland.
Reg. 3621 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. two mullets and a crescent in base sa. a chief chequy of the second and first”
ScotlandCousland, c. 1748
Where the Cousland Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cousland arms are recorded
The Cousland arms were recorded in Cousland, 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 Cousland 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 Cousland Family in Scotland
The surname Cousland is a locational name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. It is derived from the lands of Cousland, a historic village located in the county of Midlothian, just a few miles southeast of Edinburgh. The name itself likely comes from the Old English words for a cow and a cultivated piece of land, suggesting that the area was once a significant grazing site or farmstead. By the mid-18th century, families bearing this name had established a clear presence in Edinburgh, where they participated in the growing urban life of the Scottish capital. These early members of the family were part of the social fabric of the city during a time of great architectural and cultural expansion. Because the name is tied to a specific geographic location, it reflects the ancient tradition of families adopting the names of the estates or villages where they lived and worked for generations.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cousland
Derived from the Old English words for cow and land.
This name
CouslandRefers to a person who lived on or near a piece of land used for grazing cattle.
also spelled
Couslan
Couslandt
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, 1748
Johnston, James B., Place-Names of Scotland, 1934
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
