A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Deans family of Scotland.
Reg. 5446 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 cross moline az. surmounted by a sword in pale ppr. hilted and pommelled or”
ScotlandLonghermiston, c. 1748
Where the Deans Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Deans arms are recorded
The Deans arms were recorded in Longhermiston, 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 Deans 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 Deans Family in Scotland
The surname Deans is a topographic name that originated in Scotland, specifically referring to people who lived near a deep valley or a wooded hollow. The word itself comes from the Old English term denu, which describes a small, secluded glen. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, where they were active participants in the city’s growing urban life. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Deans family were integrated into the professional and social fabric of the Scottish capital during a period of significant cultural development. As the family grew, they moved beyond their rural roots to contribute to the trade and administrative sectors that defined Edinburgh’s history during the Enlightenment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
denu
An Old English term referring to a deep valley or dale.
This name
DeansA topographic name for someone who lived in or near a valley.
also spelled
Deanes
Denes
Deane
Related arms
Deanevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser, 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.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
swordJustice, and military honour
cross symbolChristian faith and service
swordJustice, and military honour
