A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Glendon family of Scotland.
Reg. 8976 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. three tilting spears sa. on each a banner gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Glendon Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Glendon arms are recorded
The Glendon 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 Glendon 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 Glendon Family in Scotland
The surname Glendon is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with confirmed records placing the family in Edinburgh as early as 1748. The name is widely considered to be topographical in origin, likely derived from the Gaelic words for a valley or glen and a hill or fort. Families bearing this name were often associated with the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Lowlands, where they lived and worked during the mid-eighteenth century. As the city of Edinburgh grew into a major center for trade and intellectual life during the Scottish Enlightenment, the Glendon family became part of the urban fabric of the capital. Their presence in city records suggests they were integrated into the professional and social life of the era, contributing to the local community as the region underwent significant economic and cultural changes.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gleann Dùn
Gaelic terms for a valley and a fortified hill or fort.
This name
GlendonDerived from a Scottish place name meaning from the valley of the fort.
also spelled
Glendin
Glendon
Glendyn
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh City Parish Registers, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Register of Deeds, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
lanceKnightly service and the tilt
flag / pennantA command held, and a following kept
