A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Deas family of Scotland.
Reg. 1282 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Erm. a pale vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Deas Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Deas arms are recorded
The Deas 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 Deas 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 Deas Family in Scotland
The surname Deas is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with records confirming that family members were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. The name is believed to be a variation of the older surname Dease, which likely originated from the Gaelic word deas, meaning south or skillful. During the eighteenth century, families with this name were often involved in the professional and mercantile life of Scotland’s capital. As Edinburgh grew into a center for law, medicine, and trade, the Deas family became part of the urban middle class that helped shape the city. By the mid-1700s, individuals bearing this name were documented in local parish registers and legal papers, reflecting their integration into the social fabric of the Scottish Lowlands. This period was a time of significant cultural change, and the family name persisted as a distinct identifier for those living and working in the heart of Edinburgh.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Deus
Latin term meaning God or divine being.
This name
DeasA locational or patronymic surname derived from the Latin word for God, often associated with those of pious character.
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, Old Parish Registers of Births and Baptisms, OPR 685/1
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Commissary Court: Register of Testaments, CC8/8
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
