A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Eglinton family of Scotland.
Reg. 6120 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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. three gem rings or, gemmed az”
ScotlandEglinton, c. 1748
Where the Eglinton Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Eglinton arms are recorded
The Eglinton arms were recorded in Eglinton, 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 Eglinton 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 Eglinton Family in Scotland
The surname Eglinton originates from a specific place name in Ayrshire, Scotland, and it was traditionally used by families who held land or lived near the town of Eglinton. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the name had spread beyond its rural roots and become established in urban centers like Edinburgh. Records confirm that members of the family were living in the capital city by 1748, where they participated in the growing professional and social life of the Scottish Enlightenment. During this era, families with this name often worked in trade, law, or local administration, helping to build the infrastructure of a rapidly modernizing Scotland. While the name is deeply tied to the geography of the west coast, its presence in Edinburgh highlights how families moved and adapted to the changing opportunities of the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Eglintoun
A settlement located near the river Eglinton in Ayrshire.
This name
EglintonDerived from a place name in Scotland, likely meaning church town or settlement by the river.
also spelled
Eglenton
Eglington
Related arms
Eglentonvariant spelling
Eglestonvariant spelling
Eglinvariant spelling
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, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
Johnston, James B., Place-Names of Scotland, 1934
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
