Map of Scotland showing where the Dalgliesh arms are recorded
The Dalgliesh arms were recorded in Scotscraig, 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 Dalgliesh 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 Dalgliesh Family in Scotland
The surname Dalgliesh is of Scottish origin and is primarily associated with the region of the Scottish Borders. The name is topographical, meaning it was likely derived from a specific place name, specifically a valley or "dale" known as Gliesh. Over many generations, families living in or near this location adopted the name to identify their roots. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this era, members of the Dalgliesh family were integrated into the urban life of the city, participating in the growing commercial and social activities of Scotland’s capital. The name has persisted through the centuries as a distinct marker of Scottish heritage, reflecting a history rooted in both the rural landscapes of the southern uplands and the developing professional classes of Edinburgh.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dalgleish
A valley or dale located near a stream or brook.
This name
DalglieshDerived from a place name in the Scottish Borders, signifying a dweller in a valley by a stream.
also spelled
Dalgleis
Dalgliesh
Dalglish
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, Register of Testaments, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
