A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fairly family of Scotland.
Reg. 6139 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. three water bougets sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Fairly Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Fairly arms are recorded
The Fairly 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 Fairly 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 Fairly Family in Scotland
The surname Fairly is a locational name that originated in Scotland, likely derived from the lands of Fairlie in Ayrshire. During the medieval period, families often adopted the names of the places where they lived or held property. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name had spread beyond its rural origins and established a firm presence in urban centers. Records confirm that members of the Fairly family were living in Edinburgh by 1748, a time when the city was undergoing significant social and architectural growth. These early residents were part of a period of rapid modernization in Scotland, contributing to the professional and commercial life of the capital as it expanded into the New Town. Their presence in Edinburgh suggests that the family had successfully transitioned from their historical roots in the countryside to the heart of Scottish intellectual and civic activity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fæger
Old English term meaning beautiful, fair, or pleasing to the eye.
This name
FairlyA topographical or descriptive surname denoting someone with a fair complexion or appearance.
also spelled
Fairly
Fairelie
Fairely
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Register of Testaments. 1748
National Records of Scotland. Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms. 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
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
water bougetThe crusader's water carrier, and a journey made
