Map of Scotland showing where the Dickey arms are recorded
The Dickey 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 Dickey 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 Dickey Family in Scotland
The surname Dickey is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Dick. Because Dick was a common medieval nickname for Richard, the name became widespread across Scotland and Northern England. By the year 1748, members of the Dickey family were well-established residents of Edinburgh. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Dickeys were often involved in the city’s growing trade, legal, or academic sectors. As the family lived in the capital, they likely experienced the rapid social and architectural changes that transformed the city from a cramped medieval town into a modern urban hub. Over time, the name spread through migration, but its roots remain firmly tied to the historical development of Scottish naming traditions.
Dickey Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Richard
Derived from Germanic elements meaning brave, hardy, powerful, and ruler.
This name
DickeyA diminutive form of Richard, historically used as a patronymic surname meaning son of Dick.
also spelled
Dickie
Dicky
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 Edinburgh, 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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cinquefoilHope and joy
