A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Findley family of Scotland.
Reg. 8947 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
swordJustice, and military honour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Ar. a chev. betw. two roses in chief and a two-headed eagle in base gu. two swords points downwards and conjoined at the pommels of the field, hilted and pommelled or”
LanarkEasterhill · Lanark, c. 1851
Where the Findley Arms Were Recorded
Lanark
Map of Scotland showing where the Findley arms are recorded
The Findley arms were recorded in Lanark, c. 1851.
Lanarkshire ran along the upper Clyde, farming country with coal beneath it. Its landed families were long-established, and long establishment is what brought them into the register.
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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Scotland when the Findley 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 Lanark.
Origin & History of the Findley Family in Scotland
The surname Findley is a variant of the Scottish name Findlay, which traces its roots back to the Gaelic name Fionnlagh. This name is composed of two parts that translate to "fair" and "warrior" or "hero." Historically, the name is strongly associated with the clans of the Scottish Highlands, particularly the Farquharson clan, who viewed the name as a mark of their heritage. By the mid-19th century, families carrying this name had established themselves in various parts of Scotland, including the town of Lanark. The presence of Findley families in Lanark by 1851 reflects the broader movement of people from rural areas into growing industrial and market towns during the Victorian era. These early residents were part of a long tradition of Scottish families who helped shape the local communities and social landscape of the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fionnlagh
Derived from Gaelic elements meaning fair or white hero.
This name
FindleyA Scottish surname signifying a fair-haired warrior or a white hero.
also spelled
Fyndlay
Findley
Fyndley
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. 1851 Census of Scotland, reference series HO107
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
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
swordJustice, and military honour
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
swordJustice, and military honour
