A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Haldane family of Scotland.
Reg. 4269 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. a bend engr. gu. a chief sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Haldane Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Haldane arms are recorded
The Haldane 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 Haldane 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 Haldane Family in Scotland
The surname Haldane is of ancient Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse name Halfdan, which translates to half-Dane. This name was brought to the British Isles by Norse settlers and eventually became established in the Scottish Lowlands. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had become well-integrated into the social and professional life of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm their presence in the city, where members of the family were active in the legal and intellectual circles that defined the Scottish Enlightenment. Over time, the name evolved from its Viking roots to become a recognized part of the Scottish landed gentry, with family members frequently serving in military, political, and academic roles throughout the country.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Halfdan
Old Norse name meaning half-Dane.
This name
HaldaneDerived from a Scandinavian personal name signifying a person of half-Danish ancestry.
also spelled
Halden
Related arms
Haldenvariant spelling
M'Gregorrecorded with Haldane, same area
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, Register of Testaments, Edinburgh Commissariot, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
