Map of England showing where the Pattison arms are recorded
The Pattison arms were recorded in England, 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 England when the Pattison 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 Pattison Family in England
The surname Pattison is a patronymic name, which means it was originally created to identify a person as the son of Patrick. During the Middle Ages, it was common for families in Northern England to adopt names based on the first names of their fathers. By the early seventeenth century, the name had become well-established in the city of York. Records confirm that members of the Pattison family were active residents there by 1620, likely participating in the local trade and civic life that defined the region at the time. Because York was a major center for commerce and religion, families living there were often involved in the wool trade or local craft guilds. The transition from being known as the son of Patrick to using Pattison as a permanent family name reflects a broader shift in English society toward fixed hereditary surnames. This change helped officials and neighbors keep better track of individuals as populations grew and communities became more complex.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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. guttée de sang a lion ramp. sa. guttée d'or, on a chief az. three escallops of the field”
LanarkKelvin Grove · Lanark, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Pattison arms are recorded
The Pattison arms were recorded in Lanark, c. 1748.
Lanarkshire ran along the upper Clyde, farming country with coal beneath it. Its landed families were long-established, and long establishment is what brought them into 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.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Pattison 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 Lanark.
Origin & History of the Pattison Family in Scotland
The surname Pattison is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Patrick. In Scotland, this name became well-established in the Lowlands, particularly within the county of Lanarkshire. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had firmly planted roots in the town of Lanark, which served as a significant royal burgh and a hub for trade and agriculture. During this period, families like the Pattisons were often involved in the local merchant classes or skilled trades that supported the growing economy of the Scottish central belt. As the name spread through the region, it became synonymous with the hardworking communities that defined rural and urban life in Lanarkshire. The presence of the family in official records from 1748 suggests they were well-integrated into the social and legal fabric of the town long before the Industrial Revolution began to reshape the Scottish landscape.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Patrick
Derived from the Latin patricius meaning nobleman or patrician.
This name
PattisonA patronymic surname meaning son of Patrick.
also spelled
Pattyson
Related arms
Dennistounrecorded with Pattison, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
York City Archives, York Freemen’s Register, 1272–1759
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
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
dropletsTears, and grief borne with patience
escallopThe pilgrim's shell, and a long journey made
