Map of Scotland showing where the Davidson arms are recorded
The Davidson arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1748.
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 Davidson 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Davidson Family in Scotland
The surname Davidson is a classic example of a patronymic name, which means it was created to identify a person as the son of David. While the name appears in various forms across the British Isles, its roots in Scotland are deeply tied to the northern Highlands and the rugged landscapes of the border regions. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the bustling capital of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 show that members of the family were active participants in the city’s growing professional and merchant classes during a time of significant social change. As Edinburgh transformed into a center of the Enlightenment, the Davidsons were part of the urban migration that moved families from rural clan structures into the heart of Scottish civic life. This transition helped the name evolve from a simple identifier of lineage into a well-recognized part of the Scottish middle class.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a stag trippant or”
WalesNorth Wales, c. 1586
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Map of Wales showing where the Davidson arms are recorded
The Davidson arms were recorded in North Wales, c. 1586.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Denbigh.
Denbighshire was north Welsh country of hills and small estates. Land was held by a great many families rather than a few, and each holding brought its own claim to a coat of arms.
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 Wales in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Scotland when the Davidson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Wales
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Wales.
Origin & History of the Davidson Family in Wales
The surname Davidson is primarily associated with Scottish origins, but its presence in the Welsh town of Denbigh by 1586 reveals a fascinating story of migration and cultural integration. During the late sixteenth century, the border regions and trade hubs of North Wales acted as magnets for individuals moving from the north. Families bearing this name likely arrived in Denbigh as part of the shifting population of merchants and laborers who moved between the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and the Welsh principalities. By settling in Denbigh, these early Davidsons became part of a vibrant market town that served as a center for regional administration and commerce. Over time, these families adapted to the local Welsh customs and social structures, effectively blending their northern heritage with the unique traditions of their new home. This transition highlights how surnames often traveled across great distances during the early modern period, eventually becoming woven into the local history of the communities that welcomed them.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a stag trippant ppr. attired or”
EnglandLondon, c. 1575
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Davidson arms are recorded
The Davidson arms were recorded in London, c. 1575.
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 England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in Scotland when the Davidson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Davidson Family in England
The surname Davidson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of David. While the name has deep roots in Scotland and Northern England, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in London by 1575. During this period, London was a rapidly growing center of trade and commerce, attracting people from across the British Isles who sought new opportunities in the capital. Families with this name often integrated into the city’s burgeoning merchant class, working as tradesmen or skilled laborers. Because the name was based on a popular biblical given name, it appeared independently in various regions, allowing the family to build local histories that reflected the specific economic conditions of their home districts. Over time, these early London residents helped cement the name as a permanent part of the city’s social fabric.
Davidson Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
David
Derived from the Hebrew word for beloved or friend.
This name
DavidsonA patronymic surname meaning son of David.
also spelled
Davydson
Davison
Davysson
Related arms
Davisonvariant spelling
Borthwickrecorded with Davidson, same area
Marshallrecorded with Davidson, same area
Skenerecorded with Davidson, 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, 1748
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
arms pheon arrowheadReadiness for battle, and the broad arrow of the sovereign
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
