A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dougall family of Scotland.
Reg. 3953 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 on a chief az. a fleur-de-lis betw. two acorns or”
FifeScotscraig · Fife, c. 1748
Where the Dougall Arms Were Recorded
Fife
Map of Scotland showing where the Dougall arms are recorded
The Dougall arms were recorded in Fife, c. 1748.
Fife was farming country between two firths, with royal palaces and old burghs along its coast. Its landed families were numerous and close to the court, and closeness to the court brought arms.
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 Dougall 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 Fife.
Origin & History of the Dougall Family in Scotland
The name Dougall originates from the Gaelic term *Dubhghall*, which translates literally to dark stranger or black foreigner. Historically, this name was used by the Gaelic-speaking people of Scotland to describe settlers of Scandinavian descent who arrived during the Viking Age. Over many centuries, the name transitioned from a descriptive nickname into a hereditary surname used by families across the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. By the mid-eighteenth century, the Dougall family had established a firm presence in the county of Fife. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the family were living and working in this region, likely integrated into the local agricultural or merchant communities that defined the area at the time. This transition from a coastal descriptor to a settled Fife lineage reflects the broader movement of families across Scotland as they established permanent roots in specific parishes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dubhgall
Derived from the Gaelic words for dark or black and stranger.
This name
DougallRefers to a dark-haired foreigner or a person of Scandinavian descent.
also spelled
Dugall
Dougald
Related arms
Dalgleishrecorded with Dougall, same area
Sharprecorded with Dougall, same area
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, Kirk Session Records of Fife, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
acornAntiquity and strength from small beginnings
