Map of Scotland showing where the Craig arms are recorded
The Craig 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 Craig 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 Craig Family in Scotland
The surname Craig is a topographical name, meaning it was originally given to people who lived near a prominent crag or steep, rocky cliff. The word comes from the Gaelic term *creag*, which describes these rugged landscapes common throughout the Scottish Lowlands. By the time the family was established in Edinburgh in 1748, the name had been used for several centuries to identify individuals by their connection to the land. During this period, members of the family in Edinburgh were often integrated into the city’s growing professional and merchant classes. As the city expanded during the eighteenth century, the Craigs became part of the urban fabric of Scotland, transitioning from their ancient rural roots into the bustling life of a developing capital.
Craig Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Creag
A Gaelic term referring to a steep rock or crag.
This name
CraigA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent rocky outcrop or cliff.
also spelled
Crag
Crage
Craigge
Related arms
Drummondrecorded with Craig, same area
Hepburnrecorded with Craig, 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, Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms, 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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
