A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fair family of Scotland.
Reg. 5951 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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. an anchor or, betw. two mullets in fesse ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Fair Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Fair arms are recorded
The Fair 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 Fair 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 Fair Family in Scotland
The surname Fair is rooted in the descriptive traditions of medieval Scotland, where names were often derived from a person’s physical appearance or character. In the case of this family, the name likely originated as a nickname for someone with a fair complexion or light-colored hair, serving as a simple way to distinguish individuals within a growing community. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Fair family were active participants in the social and economic life of the city during a period of significant urban expansion. As Edinburgh transformed into a center of the Scottish Enlightenment, the family became part of the fabric of this historic capital, living and working among the merchants and tradespeople who defined the era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
fagr
Old Norse word meaning beautiful, fair, or pleasing to the eye.
This name
FairA descriptive nickname for a person with a fair complexion, light hair, or a pleasant appearance.
also spelled
Fare
Fayre
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
anchorHope, and steadfastness in trouble
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
