A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hector family of Scotland.
Reg. 7756 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 bends gu. on the centre the sun or”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Hector Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Hector arms are recorded
The Hector 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 Hector 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 Hector Family in Scotland
The surname Hector has deep roots in Scotland, where it evolved from the ancient Gaelic personal name Eachann, meaning horse lord or horse rider. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the bustling city of Edinburgh. Records confirm their presence there by 1748, a time when the city was undergoing significant social and intellectual changes during the Scottish Enlightenment. Families with this name were often integrated into the professional and merchant classes of the capital, contributing to the local economy and civic life. Over time, the name became a distinct marker of Scottish identity, reflecting a heritage that transitioned from the rugged traditions of the Highlands into the urban environment of Edinburgh.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hektōr
Derived from the Greek verb meaning to hold, check, or restrain.
This name
HectorA name signifying a steadfast protector or one who holds fast.
also spelled
Hectour
Hecter
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 Register of Testaments, 1748
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
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
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
sunGlory, splendour and the source of life
