A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Skeen family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 3902 · Britain, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
swordJustice, and military honour
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“De gu. à deux poignards d'arg., garnis d'or. passés en saut.; au chef d'arg., ch. de trois hures de sanglier coupées du champ. C.: une tête et col de loup d'or. D.: VIRTUTIS REGIA MERCES.”
Britainc. 1700
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Map of Britain showing where the Skeen arms are recorded
The Skeen arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Skeen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Skeen Family in Britain
The surname Skeen has deep roots in the British Isles, with its origins often linked to regional variations of the Gaelic word for a knife or dagger. While the name appears in various forms across Scotland and Northern England, historical records confirm that members of the family were firmly established in the county of Kent by the year 1700. During this period, families with this name were typically involved in local trade, agriculture, or skilled craftsmanship, which helped them integrate into the growing communities of Southern England. As the family settled in Kent, they became part of the local parish systems, which recorded their births, marriages, and deaths in official registers. This transition from their northern origins to the southern landscape reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities and stability in the English countryside during the turn of the eighteenth century.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, as SKENE, of that Ilk; 2nd and 3rd, ar. three Moors' heads couped distilling drops of blood ppr., for MOIR, of Stonywood”
AberdeenRubieslaw · Aberdeen, c. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Skeen arms are recorded
The Skeen arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1748.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its arms.
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 Britain when the Skeen 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 Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Skeen Family in Scotland
The surname Skeen, often spelled Skene in its traditional form, is deeply rooted in the rugged landscape of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Aberdeen by 1748, where they participated in the professional and civic life of the growing city. The name itself is thought to be locational, likely derived from the lands of Skene located just west of Aberdeen. During the eighteenth century, families with this name were often involved in the merchant trade and the legal profession, reflecting the shift from rural landholding to urban commerce that defined the era. By this time, the Skeen family had become a fixture of the local community, contributing to the development of the region through their roles in trade and local government. Their presence in Aberdeen during the mid-eighteenth century serves as a clear link to a long lineage of families who helped shape the identity of Northeast Scotland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Skean
A Gaelic word referring to a knife or dagger.
This name
SkeenAn occupational surname for a knife maker or a person who carried a dagger.
also spelled
Skeneh
Skeen
Skene
Skene de Kuriehill
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Kent Archives, Parish Registers of the Diocese of Canterbury, Series PRC/32
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
swordJustice, and military honour
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
swordJustice, and military honour
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
savages head affrontyAn enemy overcome
