Map of Scotland showing where the Justis arms are recorded
The Justis arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1748.
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 Justis 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 Justis Family in Scotland
The surname Justis carries a distinct history rooted in the administrative and legal evolution of Scotland. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name was firmly established in Edinburgh, a city that served as the intellectual and social heart of the Scottish Enlightenment. During this era, the name often functioned as an occupational descriptor, likely identifying individuals who served as minor officials, court clerks, or those connected to the local justice system. As Edinburgh expanded rapidly during the 1700s, families bearing this name participated in the city’s transition from a medieval capital to a modern center of commerce and law. These early residents lived through a time of significant cultural change, contributing to the professional class that defined the city’s growth. While the name remains relatively rare, its presence in the capital during 1748 suggests that these ancestors were part of the stable, working population that helped maintain the civic order of the Scottish Lowlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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)
“Vert (another, az.) a bend erm. cotised or, betw. two falcons rising of the third”
StaffordKnighton · Stafford, 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 Justis arms are recorded
The Justis arms were recorded in Stafford, c. 1620.
Staffordshire was mixed country of moorland, farmland and early ironworking. Its landed families were spread widely rather than concentrated, and each holding brought its own claim to 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 Justis 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 Stafford.
Origin & History of the Justis Family in England
The family name Justis has deep roots in the English county of Staffordshire, where records confirm members of the family were living as early as 1620. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals who served in local administrative or legal roles, as the term itself is derived from the Middle English word for a justice or a legal officer. Families in the 17th century often settled in specific market towns or rural parishes where they maintained land and participated in the local economy. By the time the Justis family was documented in Stafford, England was undergoing significant social changes that encouraged many families to establish firm roots in their home counties. These early ancestors likely worked as tradespeople or farmers, contributing to the steady growth of the region during the reign of King James I. Their presence in the historical record provides a clear link to the professional and social structures of early modern England.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Justus
Latin term meaning upright, righteous, or just.
This name
JustisA surname indicating a descendant of a person known for being fair or law-abiding.
also spelled
Justis
Justiss
Justyce
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Marriages, 1701–1800
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers of Births and Baptisms, Edinburgh
Whyte, Donald, Scottish Surnames, 1995
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bordureA difference between branches of one family
swordJustice, and military honour
bordureA difference between branches of one family
swordJustice, and military honour
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
falconOne eager and quick in pursuit
