Map of Scotland showing where the Hoag arms are recorded
The Hoag arms were recorded in Bleridryn, c. 1693.
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.
Mary II of England
Sovereign of the period
Mary II of England
1689–1694
Reigning in Scotland when the Hoag 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 Hoag Family in Scotland
The family name Hoag is believed to have roots in the northern regions of Europe, where it likely evolved as a descriptive term for people living near specific natural landmarks. By the late seventeenth century, members of the family were firmly established in Edinburgh, Scotland, as evidenced by records dating back to 1693. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Hoags were often involved in the city's expanding merchant classes or skilled trades. As the family grew, some members eventually migrated across the Atlantic to the American colonies, seeking new opportunities in a changing world. This movement helped the name transition from its Scottish origins into a broader international presence, reflecting the patterns of migration that defined the lives of many families during that era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Haug
Old Norse term for a hill, mound, or burial tumulus.
This name
HoagA topographic name for someone who lived near a prominent hill or mound.
also spelled
Hogge
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Register of Marriages, Edinburgh, 1693
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
