Map of Scotland showing where the Sawers arms are recorded
The Sawers arms were recorded in Snowdon Herald, c. 1646.
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.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Scotland when the Sawers 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 Sawers Family in Scotland
The surname Sawers is a locational and occupational name that originated in Scotland, where it was traditionally associated with the profession of a sawyer or a woodcutter. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records dating back to 1646. During this period, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and craftsmanship, and individuals bearing the name were often integrated into the city’s guild systems and professional life. As the name spread from the capital, it became linked to various local communities across the Lowlands. The evolution of the name reflects the transition from a descriptive trade title to a permanent family identifier that has been passed down through generations of Scottish families.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Sartor
Latin term meaning a tailor or patcher of clothes.
This name
SawersAn occupational surname for a person who worked as a tailor or garment maker.
also spelled
Sawyer
Sayer
Related arms
Sawyervariant spelling
Sayervariant spelling
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, Register of Marriages, Edinburgh, 1646
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
paleMilitary strength, and a fortified defence
pileWell-doing, and a mark of distinction
