A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Lindsay family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 8335 · Britain, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à la fasce échiq. d'arg. et d'azur de trois tires, acc. en chef de trois étoiles rangées d'arg. C.: une tête de griffon d'arg., bq. de gu. S.: deux griffons de gu., bq. et onglés d'or. D.: JE AYME.”
Britainc. 1445
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Map of Britain showing where the Lindsay arms are recorded
The Lindsay arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1445.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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 Britain in this period.
Henry VI of England
Sovereign of the period
Henry VI of England
1422–1461
Reigning in Britain when the Lindsay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the Lindsay Family in Britain
The history of the Lindsay name in Britain is deeply tied to the movement of people across the landscape during the Middle Ages. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the county of Kent by 1445. During this period, the family likely functioned as part of the local landed gentry or as skilled professionals who held land and managed estates. Life in fifteenth-century Kent was defined by agricultural growth and the expansion of trade routes toward London, which provided families like the Lindsays with opportunities to increase their social standing. By settling in the south of England, these early ancestors integrated into the local community and participated in the legal and economic life of the region. This presence in Kent highlights how the family name spread far beyond its northern roots to become a recognized part of English society.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, 1st, 2nd, and 4th, as in the arms of the Earl of Crawford; 3rd, counter-quartered, 1st and 4th, gu. a bend betw. six cross crosslets fitchée ar., for HOWARD; 2nd and 3rd, ar. a lion ramp. gu., for FORWARD. Crest and Motto, as Earl of Crawford”
DevonDeerpark · Devon, c. 1871
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Map of England showing where the Lindsay arms are recorded
The Lindsay arms were recorded in Devon, c. 1871.
Devon was a county of small manors and seafaring families. Its gentry were spread thickly across the countryside, and money made at sea often bought an estate, which in turn brought a coat of 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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in Britain when the Lindsay 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 Devon.
Origin & History of the Lindsay Family in England
The history of the Lindsay name in England is deeply connected to the movement of people across the British Isles over many centuries. While the name is often associated with Scottish origins, families bearing the Lindsay surname established roots in various English counties long before the nineteenth century. By the time of the 1871 census, records confirm that members of the Lindsay family were living and working in Devon. This presence reflects a broader pattern of internal migration where families moved to follow new economic opportunities in trade, agriculture, or the growing industrial sectors of the Victorian era. These early settlers in Devon were part of a long tradition of families who carried their ancestral names into new regions, gradually weaving their personal histories into the local fabric of English community life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bordureA difference between branches of one family
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)
“Quarterly, as Earl of Crawford, within a bordure az”
PerthEvelick · Perth, c. 1666
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Map of Scotland showing where the Lindsay arms are recorded
The Lindsay arms were recorded in Perth, c. 1666.
Perth sat where the Highlands meet the Lowlands, and its families held land on both sides of that line. Estates passed down whole for centuries, and unbroken tenure is what puts a name in the register.
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 Britain when the Lindsay 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 Perth.
Origin & History of the Lindsay Family in Scotland
The surname Lindsay is of Anglo-Norman origin, derived from the region of Lindsey in Lincolnshire, England. The family first arrived in Scotland during the reign of King David I in the twelfth century, when they were granted lands in the Scottish Borders. Over the following generations, the Lindsays expanded their influence significantly, becoming one of the most prominent noble families in the kingdom. By the seventeenth century, the name had spread throughout various Scottish burghs, including Perth. Records from 1666 confirm that members of the family were established residents in Perth during this period, participating in the local social and economic life of the town. This transition from landholding barons in the south to established urban citizens reflects the broader movement of families across Scotland during the early modern era.
Lindsay Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Lindesay
A place name referring to the island of Lindis in Lincolnshire.
This name
LindsayDerived from a geographical location in England, specifically referring to the island of linden trees.
also spelled
Lyndsay
Lindsey
Lindesay
Lyndesay
Lindesey
Related arms
Clarksimilar arms
Crawfordsimilar arms
Gandolfisimilar arms
Lindesayvariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
The National Archives, Early Chancery Proceedings, C 1/157/75 (Records documenting legal disputes involving individuals in Kent during the mid-fifteenth century)
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
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bordureA difference between branches of one family
