Map of Scotland showing where the Riddick arms are recorded
The Riddick 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 Riddick 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 Riddick Family in Scotland
The surname Riddick is primarily associated with the Lowlands of Scotland, where families bearing the name established roots long before the mid-eighteenth century. While records confirm that members of the family were living in Edinburgh by 1748, the name itself likely evolved from a geographical descriptor or a nickname related to the rugged terrain of the region. Many historians believe the name is a variation of the Old English or Old Norse terms for a clearing or a ridge, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were likely farmers or landowners who identified themselves by the specific landscape they occupied. As the family grew, they moved from rural areas into growing urban centers like Edinburgh, where they participated in the city’s expanding trade and professional life during the Scottish Enlightenment. This transition from country life to the capital reflects the broader social shifts occurring in Scotland as families sought new opportunities in the burgeoning city economy.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Hred
Old English term meaning counsel or advice.
This name
RiddickDerived from a place name meaning the ridge of the deer or a counselor.
also spelled
Riddick
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 Testaments, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
pelicanSelf-sacrifice and devotion to one's children
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
