Map of England showing where the Elgin arms are recorded
The Elgin arms were recorded in London, c. 1558.
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 England in this period.
Mary I
Sovereign of the period
Mary I
1553–1558
Reigning in England when the Elgin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Elgin Family in England
The surname Elgin is a locative name, meaning it originated from a specific place rather than a trade or personal characteristic. It is derived from the town of Elgin in Moray, Scotland, which likely took its name from the Gaelic word for a small meadow or a clearing. By the mid-sixteenth century, members of the family had migrated south to London, as evidenced by records confirming their presence in the city by 1558. During this era, London was a rapidly growing hub of trade and politics, and families moving from the north often sought new opportunities in the capital's expanding merchant classes. While the name remains deeply rooted in its Scottish geographical origins, the presence of the Elgin family in London during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I suggests they were part of a broader movement of people traveling across the British Isles to participate in the changing social and economic landscape of the time.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Aethelgynn
Old English elements meaning noble and woman or kin.
This name
ElginDerived from a place name in Moray, Scotland, signifying a noble or high-born person.
also spelled
Elkyn
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
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
The National Archives, Kew, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and Related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1558
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
