A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Govan family of Scotland.
Reg. 0937 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
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. on a crescent ar. three stars az”
PeeblesCardrona · Peebles, c. 1748
Where the Govan Arms Were Recorded
Peebles
Map of Scotland showing where the Govan arms are recorded
The Govan arms were recorded in Peebles, c. 1748.
Peeblesshire was upland sheep country in the Scottish borders. Wool made steady money, families bought and held small estates, and holding an estate is what brought arms.
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 Govan 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 Peebles.
Origin & History of the Govan Family in Scotland
The surname Govan is deeply rooted in the history of the Scottish Lowlands, with its origins tied to the ancient parish of Govan near Glasgow. The name is topographical, meaning it was likely adopted by families who lived near or worked on the lands associated with this specific location. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the royal burgh of Peebles. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Govan family were active participants in the local community of Peebles during this period. As the family moved across the region, they contributed to the local economy and social structure of the Scottish Borders, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the broader migration patterns of families moving from the west toward the eastern territories of Scotland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gubhan
A Gaelic term referring to a smith or metal worker.
This name
GovanDerived from a place name in Glasgow, likely signifying a small smithy or forge.
also spelled
Goven
Govin
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, Peebles Burgh Records, B58/12/1
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crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
