A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Handyside family of Scotland.
Reg. 9192 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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 lion ramp. sa. within a bordure engr. of the last”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Handyside Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Handyside arms are recorded
The Handyside 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 Handyside 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 Handyside Family in Scotland
The surname Handyside is a locational name that originated in the Scottish Borders, specifically derived from a place known as Handysyde near Melrose. The name suggests a connection to a hillside or a specific plot of land held by early settlers in that region. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, where they were active in the professional and social life of the city. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the family were well-integrated into the capital, often working as merchants or legal professionals during a time of significant urban growth. As the family moved from their rural roots in the Borders to the bustling environment of Edinburgh, they became part of the rising middle class that helped shape the Scottish Enlightenment.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hand
Old English term for the hand or a nickname for a craftsman.
This name
HandysideA topographical or occupational name referring to someone living by a specific side of a hand-shaped land feature.
also spelled
Handysyde
Handasyd
Handasyde
Related arms
Handasyd, or Handysidesame arms
Brownerecorded with Handyside, same area
Grahamrecorded with Handyside, same area
Lidderdalerecorded with Handyside, same area
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, Edinburgh Testaments, CC8/8/111
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
lionCourage, strength and royalty
