A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Edmiston family of Scotland.
Reg. 3913 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 crescents gu. within a bordure engr. az”
BerwickBerwick, c. 1748
Where the Edmiston Arms Were Recorded
Map of Scotland showing where the Edmiston arms are recorded
The Edmiston arms were recorded in Berwick, c. 1748.
Berwickshire was Scottish border country, raided and fought over for three centuries. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Edmiston 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 Berwick.
Origin & History of the Edmiston Family in Scotland
The Edmiston surname is rooted in the history of the Scottish Borders, a region defined by its rugged landscape and long history of cross-border movement. The name is locational in origin, likely derived from the lands of Edmonstone in Midlothian, which were held by families who eventually spread across the southern counties of Scotland. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the family were established in the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. This area was a significant hub for trade and migration, placing the family at a crossroads between Scottish and English influence. During this era, individuals bearing the name were often involved in the local economy and community life of the borderlands, contributing to the development of the region as it transitioned into a more settled period of history.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eadmund
Old English elements meaning prosperous protector or wealthy guardian.
This name
EdmistonDerived from a place name meaning the estate or settlement of Eadmund.
also spelled
Edmiston
Edmistone
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, Commissary Court of Edinburgh, 1748
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bordureA difference between branches of one family
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
