A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hadden family of Scotland.
Reg. 3598 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 roses gu. a chief of the last”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Hadden Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Hadden arms are recorded
The Hadden 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 Hadden 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 Hadden Family in Scotland
The surname Hadden is rooted in the Lowlands of Scotland and is generally considered a locational name derived from places like Hadden in the Scottish Borders. By the mid-eighteenth century, families bearing this name were well-established in urban centers, including Edinburgh, where records confirm their presence by 1748. During this era, members of the Hadden family were often involved in the city’s growing mercantile and professional sectors as Scotland experienced a period of significant economic and intellectual expansion. The name itself likely evolved from Old English terms describing a heath or a valley, reflecting the connection between early ancestors and the rugged landscape of the region. As families moved from rural areas into the bustling capital, they became part of the vibrant social fabric that defined Edinburgh during the Scottish Enlightenment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hadden
Derived from the Old English words for heath and valley.
This name
HaddenRefers to a person who lived in a heather-covered valley or on a heath.
also spelled
Haddin
Haddon
Haddyn
Related arms
Haddonvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Edinburgh Register of Testaments. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
