A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gib family of Scotland.
Reg. 4608 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
handFaith, sincerity and justice
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a dexter hand holding a broken spear ar. betw. two spurs or, leathers of the second”
ScotlandCaribber, c. 1748
Where the Gib Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Gib arms are recorded
The Gib arms were recorded in Caribber, 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 Gib 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 Gib Family in Scotland
The surname Gib is a shortened form of the name Gilbert, which was a popular choice in medieval Scotland. It likely began as a nickname for someone named Gilbert, eventually becoming a permanent family name as record-keeping became more common. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the city of Edinburgh. Historical records from 1748 show members of the Gib family living and working within the city during a time of significant urban growth. As the city expanded, these early ancestors were part of the local community, contributing to the professional and social life of Scotland’s capital. Their presence in the city archives during this era reflects the transition of the name from a simple personal identifier into a recognized family lineage.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gilbert
Derived from the Germanic elements for bright pledge or hostage.
This name
GibA Scottish patronymic surname originating as a diminutive form of the name Gilbert.
also spelled
Gibbe
Gibbs
Gibbes
Gybbes
Related arms
Gybbesvariant 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 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.
handFaith, sincerity and justice
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
handFaith, sincerity and justice
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
