A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hathorn family of Scotland.
Reg. 6607 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a chev. gu. betw. three hunting horns vert, stringed of the second; 2nd and 3rd, or, a fesse chequy az. and ar. surmounted by a bend engr. gu. all within a double tressure of the last, in chief a buckle of the second, for STEWART”
ScotlandOverairies, c. 1748
Where the Hathorn Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Hathorn arms are recorded
The Hathorn arms were recorded in Overairies, 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 Hathorn 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 Hathorn Family in Scotland
The surname Hathorn is a locational name that originated in Scotland, likely derived from the Old English words for the hawthorn tree. While the name appears in various spellings throughout history, families bearing this name were well-established in the city of Edinburgh by the mid-eighteenth century. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Hathorn family were active participants in the professional and social life of the Scottish capital during this era. These early ancestors often held positions of influence within the legal and merchant classes, helping to cement the family name in the urban history of the region. Over time, the family spread from these city centers into broader Scottish society, maintaining their presence through trade, land ownership, and civic service.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hagathorn
Old English term for the hawthorn bush or hedge.
This name
HathornA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent hawthorn tree or hedge.
also spelled
Hawthorn
Related arms
Hawthornvariant 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 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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
