A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Mitchelson family of Scotland.
Reg. 4338 · Scottish, M–O
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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)
“Ar. a demi lion ramp. naissant out of the base gu. on a chief indented sa. a star betw. two crescents of the first”
EdinburghMiddleton · Edinburgh, c. 1748
Where the Mitchelson Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Mitchelson arms are recorded
The Mitchelson arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1748.
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 Mitchelson 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 Mitchelson Family in Scotland
The surname Mitchelson is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify someone as the son of a man named Mitchell or Michael. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a major hub for Scottish legal and professional life during the Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Mitchelson family were active participants in the social and civic structures of the Scottish capital. During this period, the family was often associated with the legal profession and the management of land, reflecting the upward mobility common among urban families in Scotland at the time. As the family grew, they became integrated into the fabric of Edinburgh society, contributing to the city's development as a center of trade and intellectual growth.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Michael
A Hebrew name meaning who is like God.
This name
MitchelsonA patronymic surname meaning son of Michael.
Related arms
Gardynerecorded with Mitchelson, same area
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, Register of Testaments, CC8/8/111
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Burgh Register of Sasines, B22/11/12
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
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
lionCourage, strength and royalty
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
