Map of Scotland showing where the Hillis arms are recorded
The Hillis 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 Hillis 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 Hillis Family in Scotland
The name Hillis is primarily recognized as a locational surname, likely originating from families who lived near a prominent hill or a specific piece of elevated land. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this era, Edinburgh was a bustling center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Hillises were often involved in the city’s growing trade, legal, or craft guilds. Because the name is rooted in the physical landscape, it likely emerged independently in different regions before becoming a fixed family identifier. As these ancestors navigated life in the capital, they contributed to the urban development and social fabric of a city that was rapidly modernizing during the 1700s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
hyll
Old English term referring to a natural elevation of land.
This name
HillisA topographic name for someone who lived on or near a hill.
also spelled
Hilles
Hyllys
Related arms
Hillesvariant spelling
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, Register of Testaments, 1748
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
lionCourage, strength and royalty
