A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gilbertson family of Scotland.
Reg. 6740 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
legStrength and swiftness
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
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)
“Gu. an armed leg couped at the thigh in pale betw. two broken spears ar. headed or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Gilbertson Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Gilbertson arms are recorded
The Gilbertson 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 Gilbertson 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 Gilbertson Family in Scotland
The surname Gilbertson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Gilbert. The name Gilbert itself comes from ancient Germanic roots meaning bright pledge or hostage. While the name became common across Northern Europe, families bearing this name established a notable presence in Edinburgh by 1748. During the eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families living there were often involved in the city’s growing trade, legal, or academic circles. As the name spread through Scotland and Northern England, it evolved from a simple description of parentage into a fixed family identity passed down through generations. This transition reflects the broader historical shift toward using permanent surnames to organize society and track family lineages in urban environments.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gilbert
Derived from the Germanic elements for bright pledge or shining hostage.
This name
GilbertsonA patronymic surname meaning son of the bright or shining pledge.
also spelled
Gilberson
Gylbertson
Gilbertsen
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, Old Parish Registers of Births and Baptisms, 1748
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
legStrength and swiftness
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
legStrength and swiftness
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
