Map of Scotland showing where the Reid arms are recorded
The Reid arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1706.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its 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 Scotland in this period.
Anne of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
Anne of Great Britain
1702–1707
Reigning in Scotland when the Reid 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 Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Reid Family in Scotland
The surname Reid originates from the Middle English and Scots word "red," which was a descriptive nickname for a person with a ruddy complexion or red hair. In Scotland, the name became firmly established as a distinct family identifier during the Middle Ages. By the time the family appears in Aberdeen records in 1706, the name was already well-integrated into the local social and economic life of the region. Many individuals carrying the Reid name in the northeast of Scotland were involved in the bustling trade and merchant activities that defined Aberdeen as a key port city. Over the centuries, the family name spread from these early hubs across the Scottish Lowlands and Highlands, evolving from a simple physical description into a permanent hereditary surname that reflects the deep linguistic roots of the Scots language.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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 chev. vert betw. three fleurs-de-lis gu. in chief as many torteaux”
Englandc. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Reid arms are recorded
The Reid 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 Scotland when the Reid 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 Reid Family in England
The surname Reid is rooted in the Old English word "read," which translates to "red." During the Middle Ages, this name was typically used as a descriptive nickname for someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion. By the time members of the family were documented in York in 1620, the name had evolved from a simple descriptor into a stable hereditary surname. In the seventeenth century, York was a bustling center of trade and religion, and families like the Reids were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. As the name spread across England, it became a common identifier for families who had lived in their local communities for generations. The transition from a personal nickname to a permanent family name reflects the broader shift in English society toward organized record-keeping and established social identity.
Reid Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
read
Old English word meaning red or ruddy in complexion.
This name
ReidA descriptive nickname originally given to someone with red hair or a ruddy complexion.
also spelled
Reed
Read
Related arms
Readvariant spelling
Reedvariant spelling
Mac Neil, or Macneillrecorded with Reid, same area
Ogilvierecorded with Reid, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Aberdeen Burgh Register of Sasines, 1706
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
