A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Finnie family of Scotland.
Reg. 3764 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, gu. a crane without a head ar.; 2nd and 3rd, gu. three skeens paleways in fess ar. hilted or, on the point of each a boar's head couped of the last”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Finnie arms are recorded
The Finnie 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 Finnie 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 Finnie Family in Scotland
The surname Finnie is deeply rooted in the history of the Scottish Lowlands, with records confirming the family was well-established in Edinburgh by the middle of the eighteenth century. The name is often considered a variation of the older Scottish name Finlay, which translates to fair warrior in Gaelic. During the 1700s, families with this name were active participants in the urban growth of Scotland’s capital, often working as skilled tradespeople or merchants during a time of significant economic change. As the city expanded beyond its ancient medieval walls, the Finnie family became part of the growing professional class that helped shape the social and commercial life of Edinburgh. Their presence in the city during this era reflects the broader movement of families from rural areas into the bustling center of Scottish culture and industry.
Finnie Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Fionn
An ancient Gaelic term meaning fair, white, or bright.
This name
FinnieA Scottish diminutive or descriptive term referring to a person with fair hair or complexion.
also spelled
Fynnie
Finny
Fynny
Finnis
Related arms
Finnisvariant spelling
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 Sasines, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Commissariot Record of 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.
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
heronPatience and quiet watchfulness
