A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duddingston family of Scotland.
Reg. 0992 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
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Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a chev. ar. betw. three crosses crosslet fitchée or”
ScotlandSandfoord, c. 1748
Where the Duddingston Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Duddingston arms are recorded
The Duddingston arms were recorded in Sandfoord, 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 Duddingston 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 Duddingston Family in Scotland
The surname Duddingston originates from a specific place name located in the southeastern part of Edinburgh. During the Middle Ages, families often adopted the name of the land they occupied or managed, and the village of Duddingston became the ancestral home for those who carried the title. By the mid-eighteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established residents of Edinburgh. These early individuals were often involved in the professional and civic life of the city as it transitioned through a period of significant growth. Because the name is tied directly to a geographic location, it serves as a historical marker of the family's deep roots within the Scottish capital and the surrounding Lothian region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dudding
Old English personal name meaning people of the mound or fort.
This name
DuddingstonRefers to the settlement or estate belonging to the followers of Dudda.
also spelled
Duddingstoun
Duddingstun
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, Register of Testaments, CC8/8/111
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
cross symbolChristian faith and service
