Map of Scotland showing where the Kincaid arms are recorded
The Kincaid arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1685.
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 Kincaid 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 Kincaid Family in Scotland
The Kincaid family name originates from the Gaelic words *ceann* and *cad*, which together translate to the head of the pass. This name is topographical, meaning it was likely given to people who lived near a specific mountain pass or a narrow valley in the Scottish Highlands. By the late 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh. Records from 1685 show that members of the Kincaid family were active participants in the city's social and professional life during a period of significant political change in Scotland. As the family moved from their ancestral lands into urban centers like Edinburgh, they transitioned from being associated with specific geographic landmarks to becoming part of the growing merchant and professional classes of the capital city.
Kincaid Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Ceann Cadha
Gaelic for head or top of the pass or steep path.
This name
KincaidDerived from a Scottish place name referring to someone living at the head of a pass.
also spelled
Kinkead
Kinkaid
Kincade
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. General Register of Sasines, 1685
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
towerGrandeur and solidity, and a stronghold defended
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
