A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Duncanson family of Scotland.
Reg. 1069 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. sa. betw. two sheaves of arrows in chief gu. banded of the first, and a buglehorn in base of the second, stringed and garnished or”
Scotlandc. 1692
Where the Duncanson Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Duncanson arms are recorded
The Duncanson arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1692.
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.
Mary II of England
Sovereign of the period
Mary II of England
1689–1694
Reigning in Scotland when the Duncanson 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 Duncanson Family in Scotland
The surname Duncanson is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of someone named Duncan. The name Duncan itself comes from the Gaelic words for brown warrior. While the family name is deeply rooted in Scottish history, records confirm that members of the Duncanson family were well-established in the city of Edinburgh by 1692. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and law, and families with this name were often involved in the professional life of the city. As the name spread from its Gaelic origins, it became a fixed family identifier that was passed down through generations. By the late 17th century, the Duncansons were part of the growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic landscape of Scotland’s capital.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Donnchadh
Brown warrior or dark-haired fighter derived from Gaelic elements.
This name
DuncansonPatronymic surname meaning son of Duncan, signifying descendant of the brown warrior.
also spelled
Duncansoun
Related arms
Duncanvariant spelling
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. Register of Testaments, Edinburgh Commissariot, CC8/8
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
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
arrowReadiness for battle, and affliction endured
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
