Map of Scotland showing where the Hunter arms are recorded
The Hunter arms were recorded in Forfar, c. 1672.
Forfar, now called Angus, was farming country on Scotland's east coast between the hills and the sea. Its landed families were long-settled, and long settlement is exactly what fills a register of arms.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Hunter 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 Forfar.
Origin & History of the Hunter Family in Scotland
The surname Hunter is an occupational name that originated from the role of a professional huntsman, often someone employed to provide game for a noble household or to manage royal forests. In Scotland, the name became well-established across various regions, reflecting the importance of hunting as both a necessity and a status symbol in medieval society. By the late seventeenth century, the family had a documented presence in the town of Forfar. Records from 1672 confirm that members of the Hunter family were active participants in the local community of this Angus burgh. During this period, families in Forfar were often involved in the town’s growing trade and administrative life, moving away from the purely rural roots of their ancestors. This transition highlights how a name rooted in a traditional outdoor skill evolved into a stable part of Scotland's urban and social history.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Gu. on a fesse or, betw. three stags' heads erased of the second as many buglehorns stringed sa”
DurhamDurham, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Hunter arms are recorded
The Hunter arms were recorded in Durham, c. 1620.
Durham was governed by its bishop rather than the crown for most of its history, with its own courts and its own landed class. That separate world produced a tight group of families, nearly all of whom held arms.
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 England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Hunter arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Durham.
Origin & History of the Hunter Family in England
The surname Hunter is an occupational name that originated in medieval England to describe a person who earned their living by hunting game. During the Middle Ages, the right to hunt was often restricted to the nobility, so those who held the title of hunter were frequently employed as professional gamekeepers or foresters for local lords. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the northern county of Durham. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Hunter family were active in this region, likely serving in roles related to the management of land or the local mining industries that defined the area. As the surname became hereditary, it spread across the English landscape, moving from a simple description of a job to a permanent family identifier that linked descendants to their ancestors' roles in the wild forests and rural estates of the past.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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 buglehorns bendways gu. garnished and furnished vert”
LondonderryStraidarran · Londonderry, c. 1645
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of Ireland showing where the Hunter arms are recorded
The Hunter arms were recorded in Londonderry, c. 1645.
Londonderry was planted from England in the seventeenth century, with London companies granted the land. Their tenants and officers took arms and had them recorded, unusually carefully for Ireland.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Scotland when the Hunter arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Londonderry.
Origin & History of the Hunter Family in Ireland
The Hunter family name in Ireland is primarily associated with the period of the Plantation of Ulster during the seventeenth century. While the name originated as an occupational surname in Britain, families bearing this name began to establish a significant presence in County Londonderry by 1645. These early settlers were often part of the organized migration of Scottish families who moved to the north of Ireland to develop land and establish new communities. As these families settled into the region, they became deeply integrated into the local economy and social structure of the area. Over time, the Hunters in Londonderry transitioned from being newcomers to becoming a permanent part of the local population. Their history reflects the broader movement of people across the North Channel and the way these families adapted to life in a new environment during a time of great political and social change.
Hunter Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
hunta
Old English term referring to the act of pursuing wild animals.
This name
HunterAn occupational surname for a person who hunted game for food or sport.
also spelled
Huntre
Hunterr
Hunterz
Huntar
Huntur
Related arms
Perrysame arms
Smith-Bosanquetsimilar arms
Dougalrecorded with Hunter, same area
Greigrecorded with Hunter, same area
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 the Burgh of Forfar, 1672
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
