A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Dyce family of Scotland.
Reg. 5234 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
axeThe execution of military duty
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Per chev. embattled or and gu. in base two battle axes in saltire ar. a chief az. parted from the field by a fillet wavy of the third, a demi lion ramp. naissant of the same, holding in both paws a trident of the first”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Dyce Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Dyce arms are recorded
The Dyce 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 Dyce 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 Dyce Family in Scotland
The family name Dyce is deeply rooted in the history of northeastern Scotland, particularly within the region surrounding Aberdeen. While the name is often associated with the town of Dyce, which sits along the River Don, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. During the eighteenth century, the name appeared in various legal and municipal documents, suggesting that the family was active in the professional and social life of the Scottish capital. The name itself is thought to be locative, meaning it was likely adopted by individuals who moved away from the village of Dyce and were subsequently identified by their place of origin. As these families migrated toward larger urban centers like Edinburgh, they contributed to the growing merchant and professional classes that defined the era. Over time, the name became a distinct identifier for families who maintained strong ties to their northern heritage while building new lives in the bustling city environment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Dionysius
Derived from the Greek god of wine and fertility.
This name
DyceA Scottish habitational surname originating from the lands of Dyce in Aberdeenshire.
also spelled
Dyse
Dice
Dycie
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, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Sasines, 1748
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
axeThe execution of military duty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
axeThe execution of military duty
