A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dobie family of Scotland.
Reg. 2114 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Gu. a sword in pale ar. hilted or, two crescents in chief of the second”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Dobie Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Dobie arms are recorded
The Dobie 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 Dobie 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 Dobie Family in Scotland
The surname Dobie is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Dob. The name Dob itself was a common medieval nickname for Robert, as the letter D was frequently swapped for the letter R in early English and Scottish naming conventions. By the mid-eighteenth century, families bearing this name were well-established in the bustling city of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 show that these individuals were active members of the local community, often working as tradesmen or merchants during a time of significant urban growth. As the family settled into the social fabric of the city, they became part of the long history of Scottish urban life, contributing to the professional and economic development of the capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Robert
A Germanic name meaning bright fame or shining glory.
This name
DobieA Scottish diminutive form of the name Robert, often used as a pet name.
also spelled
Doby
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.
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
swordJustice, and military honour
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
