Map of Scotland showing where the Crago arms are recorded
The Crago 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 Crago 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 Crago Family in Scotland
The family name Crago is believed to have roots in the southwestern regions of England, particularly Cornwall, before spreading to other parts of the British Isles. By the mid-eighteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the Crago family were established in Edinburgh, Scotland, as early as 1748. During this period, the name was often associated with families involved in skilled trades and local commerce. As people moved across borders for work or marriage, the name became more widely distributed throughout urban centers. While the exact origins of the name are debated by linguists, it is often linked to regional dialects and descriptive nicknames used in small communities. The presence of the family in Edinburgh suggests that they were part of the growing professional class during a time of significant social and economic change in Scotland.
Crago Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Craig
Derived from the Gaelic word creag meaning a steep rock or crag.
This name
CragoA locational surname for someone who lived near a prominent rocky outcrop or cliff.
also spelled
Crag
Crage
Craigge
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms, Edinburgh, 1748
Peskett, Hugh, The Ancestry of Cornish Families, 1986
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
