A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Coutts family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 9865 · Britain, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“D'azur à une tête de cerf d'or, le crâne supp. un phéon du même, la pointe en bas. C.: deux mains décochant une flèche d'un arc, le tout au nat. et renv.”
BritainHoll, c. 1700
Where the Coutts Arms Were Recorded
Kent
Map of Britain showing where the Coutts arms are recorded
The Coutts arms were recorded in Holl, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Coutts arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Coutts Family in Britain
The surname Coutts is primarily associated with the northeastern regions of Scotland, where it emerged as a locational name derived from the lands of Coutts in the parish of Aberdeenshire. While the family roots are deep in Scottish soil, members of the lineage began to migrate southward into England as trade and professional opportunities expanded during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. By the year 1700, records confirm that individuals bearing the name had established a presence in Kent. This movement was often driven by the pursuit of new livelihoods in the burgeoning commercial centers of the south. As these families settled into their new communities, they integrated into the local social fabric while maintaining the distinct identity associated with their northern origins. This transition from the rugged landscape of Scotland to the fertile countryside of Kent illustrates the broader patterns of internal migration that helped shape the modern British population.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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. a stag's head attired gu. betw. the attires a pheon point upwards az”
AberdeenAuchtercoull · Aberdeen, c. 1748
Where the Coutts Arms Were Recorded
Aberdeen
Map of Scotland showing where the Coutts arms are recorded
The Coutts arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1748.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its arms.
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 Britain when the Coutts 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 Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Coutts Family in Scotland
The Coutts family name has deep roots in the northeast of Scotland, particularly within the city and surrounding regions of Aberdeen. While the name likely originated from a descriptive nickname or a reference to a specific place, the family rose to prominence during the eighteenth century as influential merchants and bankers. By 1748, the name was well-established in Aberdeen, where members of the family were actively involved in the city's growing trade networks. These early Coutts ancestors were known for their sharp business instincts, which allowed them to expand their influence far beyond their local roots. Their transition from regional merchants to international financiers helped define the family as a significant force in Scottish economic history. This legacy of commerce and ambition remains the defining feature of the early Coutts family story.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. a stag's head couped gu. in chief a pheon az. all within a bordure embattled of the last”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Coutts Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Coutts arms are recorded
The Coutts arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Britain when the Coutts arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Coutts Family in England
The family name Coutts has deep roots that stretch back several centuries, with historical evidence placing members of the family in the city of York as early as 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals living in northern England and Scotland, where it likely functioned as a descriptive surname. Many scholars believe the name evolved from occupational or locational origins, potentially linked to the Middle English word for a colt or a person who worked with young horses. By the early seventeenth century, families bearing the name were already integrated into the social fabric of English urban centers. These early settlers in York were part of a growing class of citizens who contributed to the local economy and community life during a time of significant social change. As the family moved and expanded across the region, they maintained a presence that reflects the broader patterns of migration and settlement common to English families of that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cout
A medieval term for a colt or a young horse.
This name
CouttsA topographic or occupational name referring to someone who worked with or resembled a young horse.
also spelled
Cout
Kuts
Related arms
Balneavisrecorded with Coutts, same area
Macalester-Louprecorded with Coutts, same area
Nichollsrecorded with Coutts, same area
Orrockrecorded with Coutts, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
Reaney, Percy Hide. A Dictionary of British Surnames. 1958
The National Archives, Kew. Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, PROB 11
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
bordureA difference between branches of one family
