Map of Scotland showing where the Ronalds arms are recorded
The Ronalds 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 Ronalds 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 Ronalds Family in Scotland
The surname Ronalds is a patronymic name, meaning it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of someone named Ronald. The name Ronald itself comes from the Old Norse name Ragnvaldr, which combines the words for advice and ruler. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, Scotland. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the family were active in the city during a time of significant social and economic change. During this era, families with this name were often involved in the professional and mercantile life of Scotland’s capital. As the name moved through generations, it transitioned from a simple description of parentage into a stable family identity that persisted across the region.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Rögnvaldr
Old Norse compound meaning advice or counsel and ruler.
This name
RonaldsDerived from the Old Norse name meaning ruler of the gods or wise ruler.
also spelled
Ranald
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, 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
treeLife, endurance and deep roots
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
