Map of Scotland showing where the M'Aben arms are recorded
The M'Aben 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 M'Aben 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 M'Aben Family in Scotland
The name M'Aben is a rare variation that traces its roots to the Gaelic-speaking regions of Scotland. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the city of Edinburgh. Records confirm that members of the M'Aben family were living and working in the capital by 1748. During this era, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth known as the Scottish Enlightenment. Families like the M'Abens often moved from the rural Highlands or the Borders into the city to take advantage of new professional opportunities. While the name remains uncommon today, its appearance in city registers from the mid-1700s suggests that the family was well-integrated into the urban life of Scotland during a period of significant social change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Aibhin
Son of the little smooth one or son of the pleasant one.
This name
M'AbenA Scottish Gaelic patronymic surname derived from a diminutive form of a personal name meaning pleasant.
also spelled
Maban
Mabbin
Mabyn
Related arms
Cathcartrecorded with M'Aben, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh City Register of Marriages and Baptisms, 1748
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
