Map of Scotland showing where the Dobi arms are recorded
The Dobi 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 Dobi 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 Dobi Family in Scotland
The family name Dobi is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Scotland, with confirmed records placing members of the family in Edinburgh as early as 1748. During the eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a vibrant center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Dobis were often part of the growing urban middle class that helped shape the city. The name itself is thought to be a variation of the name Dobbie or Dobbin, which originated as a common nickname for Robert in the Middle Ages. As people moved from rural areas into the city for work, these surnames became fixed identifiers that were passed down through generations. By the mid-1700s, individuals bearing the name were integrated into the social and economic life of Scotland, contributing to the local trades and community growth that defined the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Robert
Bright fame or shining glory
This name
DobiA Scottish diminutive form derived from the name Robert
also spelled
Doby
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
