A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Grierson family of Scotland.
Reg. 9587 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. a fesse or, betw. three quadrangular locks (or fetterlocks) ar. (an earlier coat was gu. a saltire and chief ar. the latter charged with three cushions of the first)”
DumfriesLagg · Dumfries, c. 1865
Where the Grierson Arms Were Recorded
Dumfries
Map of Scotland showing where the Grierson arms are recorded
The Grierson arms were recorded in Dumfries, c. 1865.
Dumfriesshire was Scottish border country facing England across a disputed line. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Scotland when the Grierson 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 Dumfries.
Origin & History of the Grierson Family in Scotland
The surname Grierson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Grier. The name Grier itself is a shortened form of Gregory, a popular name of Greek origin that was brought to Scotland during the Middle Ages. The family established deep roots in the region of Dumfries and Galloway in southwestern Scotland, where they became prominent landowners and local leaders over several centuries. By the time records confirm their presence in Dumfries in 1865, the family had already been a fixture of the area for generations. They were historically associated with the turbulent border lands, where they played active roles in the social and political life of the Scottish Lowlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Gregor
Derived from the Greek word meaning vigilant, watchful, or alert.
This name
GriersonA patronymic surname signifying son of the watchful or alert one.
also spelled
Griersun
Griersin
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
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
National Records of Scotland, Dumfries and Galloway Sasine Registers, 1600-1900
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
