Map of England showing where the Peebles arms are recorded
The Peebles arms were recorded in York, c. 1620.
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 Peebles 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 York.
Origin & History of the Peebles Family in England
The surname Peebles is a locational name that originates from the town of Peebles in the Scottish Borders, derived from the Cumbric word for a place of tents or shielings. While the name is deeply rooted in Scottish geography, families bearing the name began to migrate southward into Northern England during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. By 1620, historical records confirm that members of the Peebles family were established in the city of York. This movement was likely driven by the increased social and economic integration between the two kingdoms following the Union of the Crowns in 1603. These early settlers in York were often part of the growing merchant and artisan classes who sought new opportunities in England’s northern administrative centers. Their presence in the city during this era reflects the broader trend of Scottish families moving across the border to establish roots in English society while maintaining the identity of their ancestral homeland.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
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Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 chev. engr. sa. betw. three popinjays vert membered gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Peebles arms are recorded
The Peebles 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 England when the Peebles 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 Peebles Family in Scotland
The surname Peebles is a locational name that originated from the ancient royal burgh of Peebles in the Scottish Borders. People who moved away from this town often adopted the name to identify their place of origin to those in new communities. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, which was then a rapidly growing center of the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the family were active in the capital city during a time of significant social and economic change. These early ancestors were part of a period where Scottish families were increasingly settling in urban environments to pursue trade and professional opportunities. Their transition from the rural Borders to the bustling streets of Edinburgh reflects the broader movement of people that helped shape modern Scottish society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Peblis
A Cumbric word meaning stone or rocky place.
This name
PeeblesA habitational name referring to someone from the town of Peebles in the Scottish Borders.
also spelled
Peblis
Peobles
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
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Reaney, P.H. and Wilson, R.M., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
parrotEloquence, and travel in distant lands
