A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Finlayson family of Scotland.
Reg. 7457 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 lion pass. gu. on a chief az. a boar's head couped or, betw. two mullets pierced of the field”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Finlayson Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Finlayson arms are recorded
The Finlayson 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 Finlayson 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 Finlayson Family in Scotland
The surname Finlayson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Finlay. The name Finlay itself comes from the Gaelic term Fionnlagh, which translates to fair warrior or white hero. While the family name is deeply rooted in the history of the Scottish Highlands, records confirm that members of the Finlayson family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, the family was part of the growing urban population in Scotland’s capital, where they participated in the city's expanding trade and professional life. As the family moved from the rural Highlands into the bustling environment of Edinburgh, they adapted to the changing social landscape of the eighteenth century while maintaining their connection to their ancient Gaelic origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fionnlagh
Gaelic elements meaning fair or white warrior.
This name
FinlaysonSon of the fair-haired hero or white warrior.
also spelled
Fynlayson
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
