A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Hyslop family of Scotland.
Reg. 2001 · Scottish, G–I
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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. a stag ppr. lodged under a holly tree growing out of the base vert, on a chief of the third a book bound or, betw. two stars of the first”
EdinburghStationer · Edinburgh, c. 1678
Where the Hyslop Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Hyslop arms are recorded
The Hyslop arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1678.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in Scotland when the Hyslop 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Hyslop Family in Scotland
The surname Hyslop is a locational name that originated in the Scottish Borders, specifically derived from the Old Norse words for a hollow or a valley. Families bearing this name were historically associated with the rugged landscape of southern Scotland, where they lived as farmers and landowners. By the late seventeenth century, the Hyslop family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1678. During this period, the family members in the city were often involved in trade and professional life, reflecting the broader movement of rural families into Scotland’s growing urban centers. As they settled in Edinburgh, the Hyslop name became part of the city’s evolving social fabric, marking a transition from their traditional roots in the borderlands to the administrative and commercial heart of the nation.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hals-hop
A valley or enclosed piece of land near a neck of land.
This name
HyslopDerived from a topographical location in the Scottish Borders referring to a valley by a neck.
also spelled
Hislop
Related arms
Hislopvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser. The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. 1946
National Records of Scotland. Register of Testaments, Edinburgh Commissary Court. CC8/8
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
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
