Map of Scotland showing where the Sandy arms are recorded
The Sandy 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 Sandy 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 Sandy Family in Scotland
The surname Sandy originated as a pet form of the name Alexander, which was a very popular choice in Scotland for centuries. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name had become well-established among families living in the bustling city of Edinburgh. Records confirm that members of the Sandy family were active in the city by 1748, likely working in the trades or commerce that defined the Scottish capital during the Enlightenment. Because the name began as a nickname, it often appeared in local documents alongside formal baptismal records or legal contracts. These early ancestors were part of a growing urban population that helped shape the social and economic landscape of Edinburgh during a time of significant cultural change.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Alexandros
Defender of men or protector of mankind
This name
SandyA Scottish diminutive form of Alexander, often used as a standalone given name or surname.
also spelled
Sandie
Sandey
Sandee
Related arms
Napersimilar arms
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, Old Parish Registers of Edinburgh, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cinquefoilHope and joy
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
cinquefoilHope and joy
