Map of Scotland showing where the Spot arms are recorded
The Spot 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 Spot 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 Spot Family in Scotland
The surname Spot is a locational name that likely originated from individuals living near a specific geographical feature or a small plot of land known as a "spot." By the mid-eighteenth century, historical records confirm that members of the Spot family were well-established in Edinburgh, Scotland. During this era, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Spots were often involved in the city’s expanding merchant and artisan classes. While the name is relatively rare, its presence in the capital city suggests that these early ancestors were integrated into the urban life of the Scottish Enlightenment. These families lived through a time of significant social change as Edinburgh transitioned from a medieval fortress town into a modern metropolis. By tracing their roots to this specific time and place, we can see the family as part of the hardworking population that helped build the city's identity.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Spott
A place or location derived from Old English spot.
This name
SpotA habitational name referring to a person from the village of Spott in East Lothian.
also spelled
Spotts
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Burgh Register of Marriages, 1748
National Records of Scotland, Commissariot of 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
