Map of Scotland showing where the Kirkpatrick arms are recorded
The Kirkpatrick arms were recorded in Dumfries, c. 1685.
Dumfriesshire was Scottish border country facing England across a disputed line. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Kirkpatrick 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 Dumfries.
Origin & History of the Kirkpatrick Family in Scotland
The Kirkpatrick family name originates from the southern region of Scotland, specifically within the historic county of Dumfriesshire. The name itself is derived from the Gaelic words for a church dedicated to Saint Patrick, suggesting that the family’s early ancestors likely lived near or served as protectors of such a site. By the late seventeenth century, the family was firmly established in the town of Dumfries, where they played a significant role in the local community during a period of intense religious and political upheaval. Records from 1685 indicate that members of the family were active participants in the social and legal life of the region during the time of the Covenanters. Throughout these early years, the Kirkpatricks were deeply connected to the landscape of the Scottish Borders, where they navigated the complex loyalties and shifting power structures that defined life in the lowlands.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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 saltire az. on a chief of the last a cushion of the first”
Englandc. 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 Kirkpatrick arms are recorded
The Kirkpatrick arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 Kirkpatrick 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 England.
Origin & History of the Kirkpatrick Family in England
The Kirkpatrick family name carries a deep history that stretches across the border regions of Britain. While the name is often associated with Scottish roots, members of the family were firmly established in the city of York by 1620. During this period, York served as a vital northern hub for trade, religion, and administration, making it a natural destination for families moving between the two kingdoms. Settling in such a prominent city suggests that these early Kirkpatricks were likely involved in the local merchant class or the legal professions that defined the city’s economy. By integrating into the social fabric of Yorkshire, the family helped bridge the cultural divide between the northern English counties and the Scottish Lowlands. Their presence in the city records from the early seventeenth century highlights how families of this era navigated shifting political landscapes while maintaining their identity in a new urban environment.
Kirkpatrick Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cill Pádraig
Gaelic for Church of Saint Patrick.
This name
KirkpatrickDerived from the church dedicated to Saint Patrick in Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
also spelled
Kirkpatrik
Kyrkpatrick
Kirkpatrike
Related arms
Menteathrecorded with Kirkpatrick, same area
Symerecorded with Kirkpatrick, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bain, Joseph, Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland, 1881
National Records of Scotland, Register of the Privy Council of Scotland, 1685
Reid, Robert C., The Kirkpatricks of Closeburn, 1950
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
