Map of France showing where the Liddell arms are recorded
The Liddell arms were recorded in France, c. 1612.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Bretagne.
More families held coats of arms in Bretagne than anywhere else in France. The land was divided into many small estates rather than a few large ones, so far more households counted as gentry, and each needed a shield of its own to be told apart.
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 France in this period.
Louis XIII of France
Sovereign of the period
Louis XIII of France
1610–1617
Reigning in France when the Liddell arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of France.
Origin & History of the Liddell Family in France
The history of the Liddell family in France is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of the Brittany region during the early seventeenth century. By 1612, records confirm that members of the family were established within this area, likely drawn by the unique social and economic opportunities of the time. During this period, Brittany functioned as a distinct province with its own legal customs and traditions, which influenced how families integrated into local society. The Liddell name appears in administrative documents that suggest these early settlers were involved in the regional trade and agricultural networks that defined life in western France. As they navigated the complexities of life in a province known for its strong sense of independence, the family helped shape the local community through their participation in parish life and regional commerce. Their presence in Brittany serves as a testament to the movement of families across borders during an era of significant social change in Europe.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. on a bend betw. a cross crosslet fitchée in chief and a fleur-de-lis in base ar. three spur-rowels of the first”
EdinburghEdinburgh, c. 1672
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Map of Scotland showing where the Liddell arms are recorded
The Liddell arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1672.
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 France when the Liddell 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 Liddell Family in Scotland
The Liddell name has deep roots in the Scottish Lowlands, where it emerged as a locational surname derived from the Liddesdale region near the English border. While the family had long-standing ties to the southern reaches of the country, by the late seventeenth century, they had established a notable presence in the capital city of Edinburgh. Records from 1672 confirm that members of the family were active participants in the urban life of the city during this period of significant social and political transition. As Edinburgh grew into a center of trade and law, families like the Liddells integrated into the professional and civic structures of the capital. Their movement from the borderlands to the heart of Scottish administration reflects the broader patterns of migration that shaped the nation during the seventeenth century. Through their work and community involvement, these early residents helped establish the family name as a recognized part of the Edinburgh population.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. fretty gu. on a chief of the last three leopards' faces or”
EnglandRavensworth, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Liddell arms are recorded
The Liddell arms were recorded in Ravensworth, 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 France when the Liddell 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 Liddell Family in England
The surname Liddell is a locational name that originated from the valley of the Liddel Water, a river that flows through the borderlands between England and Scotland. During the medieval period, families living near this geographical feature began to adopt it as a way to identify their origins. By the early 17th century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Liddell family were living in this historic northern hub, likely drawn there by the city’s importance as a center for trade, law, and regional administration. As the family settled into urban life in York, they became integrated into the local economy and social structure, transitioning from their roots in the rugged border country to become established residents of one of England’s most significant provincial cities.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Lyd
Old English term referring to a loud or noisy stream.
This name
LiddellDerived from a topographical location near a loud or rushing river.
also spelled
Liddel
Lydell
Lidel
Lydall
Related arms
Liddlevariant spelling
Lydall, or Lyddallvariant spelling
Guthrierecorded with Liddell, same area
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Archives départementales d'Ille-et-Vilaine, Série B (Cours et juridictions)
Archives départementales du Morbihan, Série E (Familles et seigneuries)
Le Moyne de La Borderie, Arthur, Histoire de Bretagne, 1896
Pocquet du Haut-Jussé, Barthélemy, Histoire de la Bretagne, 1937
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
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
spurKnighthood, and readiness to spur on
