Map of Scotland showing where the Stair arms are recorded
The Stair 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 Stair 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 Stair Family in Scotland
The surname Stair is deeply rooted in the history of the Scottish Lowlands, specifically within the region surrounding Edinburgh. The name is locational in origin, likely derived from the lands of Stair in Ayrshire, which eventually became associated with prominent figures in Scottish law and politics. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had firmly established a presence in the capital city of Edinburgh, where they were active participants in the urban development and professional life of the era. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the family were integrated into the social fabric of the city during a time of significant cultural growth. Throughout this period, the family name became synonymous with the intellectual and legal advancements that defined the Scottish Enlightenment.
Stair Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Stig
Old Norse term for a path, track, or steep ascent.
This name
StairA topographic name for someone who lived near a steep path or a flight of stairs.
also spelled
Stayre
Stare
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 Testaments, Edinburgh Commissary Court, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
