A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Ferm family of Scotland.
Reg. 7292 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
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, a fesse az. betw. three lions' heads erased gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Ferm Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Ferm arms are recorded
The Ferm 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 Ferm 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 Ferm Family in Scotland
The surname Ferm is deeply rooted in the historical landscape of Scotland, with documented evidence placing the family in Edinburgh as early as 1748. The name likely originated as a topographical or occupational descriptor, as the word "ferm" historically referred to a fixed payment or rent for land, suggesting that early ancestors may have been tenant farmers or administrators responsible for managing agricultural estates. During the eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a rapidly evolving center of trade and intellectual growth, and families living there were often integrated into the city’s bustling merchant classes or skilled trades. By establishing themselves in the capital, the early Ferm family members became part of the vibrant social fabric of the Scottish Enlightenment, living through a period of significant economic transition that shaped the future of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Firmus
A Latin term meaning steadfast, strong, or reliable.
This name
FermA Scottish occupational or descriptive surname denoting a person who is sturdy, resolute, or unwavering.
also spelled
Pherme
Furm
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh City Register of Marriages, 1748
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
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
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
