Map of Scotland showing where the Heckathorn arms are recorded
The Heckathorn 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 Heckathorn 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 Heckathorn Family in Scotland
The surname Heckathorn is a variation of names with Germanic roots, likely originating from the combination of words describing a hedge or a thorn bush. While the name is often associated with later migrations to North America, historical records confirm that members of the family were established in Edinburgh by 1748. During this period, Edinburgh was a major center for the Scottish Enlightenment, and families living in the city were often involved in the growing trades of printing, law, or commerce. The presence of the Heckathorn name in Scottish parish registers suggests that these early ancestors were integrated into the urban life of the capital. As the family moved across borders, the spelling of the name likely shifted to match the phonetic patterns of the regions where they settled. This transition reflects the broader movement of families across Europe during the eighteenth century as they sought new opportunities in growing cities and abroad.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hagathorn
A hawthorn hedge or a thorny enclosure used as a boundary.
This name
HeckathornDerived from a topographic location near a prominent hawthorn bush or hedge.
also spelled
Hectour
Hecter
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh, 1748
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
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bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
