A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Freebairn family of Scotland.
Reg. 0785 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. on a chev. gu. betw. three martlets sa. an annulet or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Freebairn Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Freebairn arms are recorded
The Freebairn 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 Freebairn 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 Freebairn Family in Scotland
The surname Freebairn is a distinctive Scottish name that likely originated as a descriptive nickname. In Middle Scots, the name suggests a person who was a "free bairn" or a free-born child, indicating that the family may have held a status of independence or freedom during the medieval period. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Freebairn family were active in the city, where they participated in the professional and social life of Scotland’s capital. During this era, the family name was associated with figures involved in printing and publishing, which helped them maintain a respected standing within the intellectual circles of the Enlightenment. Over time, the family name became firmly rooted in the Lowlands, reflecting the broader social shifts and urban growth occurring in Scotland during the eighteenth century.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Frebern
Old English elements meaning free and warrior or born.
This name
FreebairnA Scottish surname derived from an Old English personal name meaning free-born child.
also spelled
Freebarn
Freebarne
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 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
