Map of France showing where the Drummond arms are recorded
The Drummond arms were recorded in France, c. 1725.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XV of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XV of France
1715–1774
Reigning in France when the Drummond arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Drummond Family in France
The Drummond name is primarily associated with Scottish origins, but its presence in France adds a fascinating layer to the family history. By 1725, members of the family were established in the region of Bretagne. This movement was likely driven by the close political and military ties between Scotland and France, a relationship historically known as the Auld Alliance. Many Scots moved to France during this period to serve in the military or to seek new professional opportunities within the French administration. Living in Bretagne, these individuals integrated into local society while maintaining their distinct heritage. Their presence in this coastal province suggests they were part of a broader network of expatriates who navigated the cultural and social landscape of eighteenth-century France. This chapter of the family history highlights how the Drummonds adapted to life in a new country while preserving their ancestral identity.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Or, three bars wavy gu. within a bordure of the last”
EdinburghHawthornden · Edinburgh, c. 1672
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Map of Scotland showing where the Drummond arms are recorded
The Drummond arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1672.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in France when the Drummond 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Drummond Family in Scotland
The Drummond family name is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with its origins traditionally traced back to the medieval period. The name is territorial, meaning it likely comes from the lands of Drymen in Stirlingshire. According to historical accounts, the family gained prominence through their close connections to the Scottish monarchy and their involvement in regional governance. By the time the family appeared in official records in Edinburgh in 1672, they were already well-established within the social and political fabric of the nation. Throughout the centuries, members of the family served as landowners and public officials, helping to shape the development of their local communities. Their presence in the capital city during the late seventeenth century reflects their transition from rural landholders to influential figures in urban Scottish life.
Drummond Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Druim
A Gaelic term referring to a ridge or a high back.
This name
DrummondDerived from a place in Scotland meaning at the high ridge.
also spelled
Drumond
Drummound
Drummunde
Drumund
Related arms
Menteathsimilar arms
Dromundvariant spelling
Drumonvariant spelling
Belschesrecorded with Drummond, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
F. Michel, Les Écossais en France, les Français en Écosse, 1862
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B: Cours et juridictions
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bordureA difference between branches of one family
