A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Cowden family of Scotland.
Reg. 7940 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. on a fesse ar. betw. three annulets or, a lion pass. sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Cowden Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Cowden arms are recorded
The Cowden 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 Cowden 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 Cowden Family in Scotland
The surname Cowden is a locational name that originated in Scotland, likely derived from the lands of Cowden in the parish of Dalkeith or similar areas in the Scottish Lowlands. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a major hub for trade and intellectual growth during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Cowden family were active participants in the urban life of the capital, working within the city’s expanding professional and merchant classes. As the family grew, they became part of the social fabric of Edinburgh, contributing to the development of the city during a time of significant economic and cultural change. The name remains tied to these early Scottish roots, reflecting a long history of settlement in the region surrounding the Firth of Forth.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Colldun
Derived from the Gaelic words for hazel tree and hill or fort.
This name
CowdenRefers to a person who lived near a hazel-covered hill or a fortified settlement.
also spelled
Cowdin
Cowdon
Coudon
Related arms
Coudenvariant spelling
Coudonvariant 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 Testaments, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
lionCourage, strength and royalty
