A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crab family of Scotland.
Reg. 7936 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Az. a chev. ar. betw. two fleurs-de-lis in chief and a crab in base or”
ScotlandRobslaw, c. 1748
Where the Crab Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Crab arms are recorded
The Crab arms were recorded in Robslaw, 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 Crab 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 Crab Family in Scotland
The surname Crab is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely referring to a person with a crab-like gait or a particularly grumpy disposition. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the bustling city of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Crab family were active participants in the local community during this era of significant urban growth. As residents of Scotland’s capital, they lived through a time of great social change and intellectual development known as the Scottish Enlightenment. While the name itself is simple and grounded in everyday language, its presence in historical documents from 1748 highlights the family's long-standing roots in the heart of Scottish history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crabba
An Old English term referring to a crab or a shellfish.
This name
CrabA nickname for a person with a crab-like gait or a cantankerous personality.
also spelled
Crabbe
Crabbs
Related arms
Forbesrecorded with Crab, same area
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, CC8/8/111
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
crabSteadfast defence that yields no ground
