A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fordyce family of Scotland.
Reg. 4850 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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, az. three bears' heads ar. muzzled gu., for FORDYCE; 2nd, az. a buck's head cabossed or, betw. three mullets pierced ar., for DINGWALL; 3rd, gu. a fess chequy ar. and az. in chief a mullet of the second, the base wavy of the third, a bordure engr. or, for LINDSAY”
AberdeenBrucklay · Aberdeen, c. 1846
Where the Fordyce Arms Were Recorded
Aberdeen
Map of Scotland showing where the Fordyce arms are recorded
The Fordyce arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1846.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its arms.
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 Fordyce 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 Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Fordyce Family in Scotland
The surname Fordyce originates from a place name in the former county of Banffshire in northeast Scotland. The name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic words for a cold or frosty valley. By the mid-19th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Aberdeen, which served as a major hub for trade and education in the region. Records from 1846 show family members living in this bustling coastal city, likely drawn by the growing opportunities in commerce and shipping. Over time, the family became deeply integrated into the local community, contributing to the professional and social life of Aberdeen as the city expanded during the Industrial Revolution.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fuar Deas
Derived from Gaelic words meaning cold and south.
This name
FordyceA locational surname referring to a cold southern place or a settlement in Aberdeenshire.
also spelled
Fordice
Fordis
Related arms
Homerecorded with Fordyce, same area
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
Johnston, James B., Place-Names of Scotland, 1934
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives, Aberdeen City Council Records, Council Minutes 1846
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
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bordureA difference between branches of one family
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
