A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dougal family of Scotland.
Reg. 9720 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a mountain vert”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Dougal Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Dougal arms are recorded
The Dougal 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 Dougal 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 Dougal Family in Scotland
The surname Dougal originates from the Gaelic name Dubhghall, which translates literally to dark stranger or black foreigner. This name was historically used by the Gaelic-speaking people of Scotland to describe the Norse-Gaelic settlers who arrived from Scandinavia to inhabit the western islands and highlands. Over many generations, the name evolved into a distinct family identifier as it moved from the rugged western coast toward the growing urban centers of the east. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Dougal family had established a firm presence in Edinburgh. During this period, the city was undergoing a massive transformation as it expanded beyond its medieval walls, and families like the Dougals played a role in the professional and social life of this developing capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dubhghall
Derived from the Gaelic words for dark or black and stranger.
This name
DougalRefers to a dark-haired foreigner, historically used by the Gaels to describe Scandinavian invaders.
also spelled
Dugal
Dugall
Dougald
Related arms
Hillsame arms
Hunterrecorded with Dougal, same area
Keirrecorded with Dougal, same area
Leerecorded with Dougal, same area
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, Edinburgh Register of Sasines, 1748
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mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
