Map of Scotland showing where the Nimmo arms are recorded
The Nimmo 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 Nimmo 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 Nimmo Family in Scotland
The surname Nimmo is deeply rooted in the history of the Scottish Lowlands, particularly within the regions surrounding Edinburgh and West Lothian. Etymologists often trace the name to the Gaelic term *naomh*, which translates to holy or saintly, suggesting that early ancestors may have been associated with religious life or monastic communities. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the social and professional fabric of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Nimmo family were active participants in the city's growth during a period of significant urban development. Throughout this era, those bearing the name were frequently documented as skilled tradesmen and merchants, contributing to the economic stability of the Scottish capital as it transitioned into the modern age.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Nem
A Celtic or Brythonic term meaning holy or sacred.
This name
NimmoA locational surname derived from the lands of Nemmo in Stirlingshire, Scotland.
also spelled
Nymmo
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, Edinburgh Register of Sasines, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
cinquefoilHope and joy
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
cinquefoilHope and joy
