Map of Scotland showing where the Leitch arms are recorded
The Leitch arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
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 Leitch 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 Scotland.
Origin & History of the Leitch Family in Scotland
The surname Leitch is derived from the Middle English word *leche*, which originally referred to a physician or a healer. In early Scottish society, families often adopted surnames based on the professional trade of their ancestors, and those who carried the name Leitch were likely recognized as local medical practitioners or surgeons. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a documented presence in Edinburgh, a city that was rapidly becoming a center for medical education and scientific advancement. Living in Edinburgh during 1748 placed these family members at the heart of the Scottish Enlightenment, a time when the city was gaining a global reputation for its innovative approach to medicine and surgery. This professional heritage suggests that early members of the Leitch family were likely part of the educated urban class that helped shape the intellectual landscape of Scotland during this transformative period.
Leitch Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
leech
An archaic term for a physician or healer.
This name
LeitchA surname of occupational origin denoting a person who practiced medicine or bloodletting.
also spelled
Leach
Leech
Leche
Related arms
Leachvariant spelling
Lechevariant spelling
Leechvariant spelling
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, Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
lozengeHonour and nobility, and the arms of a woman
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
