A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dingwall family of Scotland.
Reg. 1920 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Az. a buck's head cabossed or, betw. three spur-rowels ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Dingwall Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Dingwall arms are recorded
The Dingwall 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 Dingwall 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 Dingwall Family in Scotland
The family name Dingwall is a locational surname that originates from the town of Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands. During the medieval period, individuals often adopted the name of their home village or estate as a way to identify themselves when they traveled to new areas. While the name is deeply rooted in the north, members of the family eventually migrated toward the growing urban centers of the south. By 1748, records confirm that members of the Dingwall family were well-established in Edinburgh, which was then a bustling hub of trade, law, and intellectual life. This transition from a specific Highland location to the capital city reflects the broader movement of Scottish families who sought new professional and social opportunities during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dingwall
Old Norse for assembly field or parliament field.
This name
DingwallRefers to a person originating from the town of Dingwall in Ross-shire.
also spelled
Dingwell
Dyngwall
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.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
