A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Gordin family of Scotland.
Reg. 6085 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
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)
“Sa. three leopards' faces jessant de-lis or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Gordin Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Gordin arms are recorded
The Gordin 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 Gordin 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 Gordin Family in Scotland
The family name Gordin carries a history rooted in the movement of people across Northern Europe and the British Isles. While the name is often associated with later migrations, records confirm that members of the Gordin family were established residents of Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Gordins were often integrated into the city’s growing merchant and professional classes. The name itself likely evolved from older regional surnames, potentially linked to geographic locations or occupational titles common in the Baltic or Germanic regions before moving into Scotland. By the mid-eighteenth century, these individuals had become part of the urban fabric of Scotland, contributing to the local economy and social life of the capital city during a time of significant cultural change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gordoun
A geographical location in Berwickshire, Scotland, derived from Brythonic elements meaning spacious fort.
This name
GordinA habitational surname denoting someone who originated from the lands of Gordon in the Scottish Borders.
also spelled
Gorden
Gordin
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Burgess and Guild Register, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
