A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Fyffe family of Scotland.
Reg. 9492 · Scottish, D–F
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
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 lion ramp. gu. on a chief of the last a crescent betw. two stars of the first”
PerthDron · Perth, c. 1748
Where the Fyffe Arms Were Recorded
Perth
Map of Scotland showing where the Fyffe arms are recorded
The Fyffe arms were recorded in Perth, c. 1748.
Perth sat where the Highlands meet the Lowlands, and its families held land on both sides of that line. Estates passed down whole for centuries, and unbroken tenure is what puts a name in 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.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Fyffe 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 Perth.
Origin & History of the Fyffe Family in Scotland
The family name Fyffe has deep roots in the historic city of Perth, Scotland, where members of the family were well-established by the middle of the eighteenth century. The name is often considered a regional variation of Fife, which refers to the prominent coastal area located between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay. During the 1700s, families frequently adopted surnames based on the geographic locations where they lived or worked. As the name moved from the region of Fife into the bustling urban center of Perth, it evolved into its distinct spelling. By 1748, the Fyffe family was already integrated into the local community, likely participating in the vibrant trade and craft guilds that defined Perth as a major Scottish hub during that era. This transition from a place name to a family identifier reflects the common naming patterns of the time, as people moved across the Scottish landscape and sought to maintain a connection to their ancestral origins.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Fife
A geographical region or district located in eastern Scotland.
This name
FyffeAn inhabitant or person originating from the region of Fife in Scotland.
also spelled
Fyffie
Fyffey
Fife
Fiffe
Related arms
Fifevariant spelling
Fiffevariant 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, Kirk Session Records of Perth, CH2/518
National Records of Scotland, Register of Deeds for the Sheriffdom of Perth, RD5
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
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
