Map of Scotland showing where the Sheal arms are recorded
The Sheal 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 Sheal 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 Sheal Family in Scotland
The surname Sheal is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with clear evidence of the family residing in Edinburgh by 1748. The name is believed to be a variation of the word shiel, which historically referred to a small hut or a temporary shelter used by shepherds during the summer months. This connection suggests that the earliest ancestors of the family were likely people who worked closely with the land and livestock in the rugged Scottish countryside. As these individuals moved from rural areas into growing urban centers like Edinburgh, they carried this occupational name with them. Over time, the spelling evolved into its modern form as families established themselves in the city’s trade and professional circles. By the mid-eighteenth century, the name was well-integrated into the local community, reflecting the transition of the family from traditional rural life to the bustling environment of Scotland’s capital.
Sheal Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Sìol
A Gaelic term meaning seed, progeny, or offspring of a clan.
This name
ShealDerived from the Gaelic word for seed, denoting a descendant or member of a specific lineage.
also spelled
Shewalle
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 Marriages, 1701–1800. Series OPR 685/1
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
