A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Stothard family of Scotland.
Reg. 7892 · Scottish, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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)
“Ar. a cock gu. betw. three stars of six points sa. on a chief of the second three cushions or”
KirkcudbrightCargen · Kirkcudbright, c. 1748
Where the Stothard Arms Were Recorded
Kirkcudbright
Map of Scotland showing where the Stothard arms are recorded
The Stothard arms were recorded in Kirkcudbright, c. 1748.
Kirkcudbright was Scotland's south-western corner, farming country facing the Irish Sea. Its lairds held small estates for generations, and long holding is what fills a register.
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 Stothard 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 Kirkcudbright.
Origin & History of the Stothard Family in Scotland
The surname Stothard is rooted in the northern regions of England and the southern borders of Scotland, where it likely originated as an occupational name for a person who managed a herd of horses or cattle. The word itself comes from the Old English term stot, which referred to a horse or a bullock, combined with the suffix herd, meaning a keeper or tender. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a clear presence in the coastal town of Kirkcudbright in southwestern Scotland. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Stothard family were active in this community, likely participating in the local maritime trade or agricultural life that defined the Galloway region during that era. As the family moved across the borderlands, they carried this name through generations, reflecting a long history of living and working within the rural landscapes of the British Isles.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Stot-heard
A person who herds or tends to young male cattle.
This name
StothardAn occupational surname for a keeper or tender of bullocks or steers.
also spelled
Stothard
Stothart
Stoddart
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
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cockCourage, vigilance and readiness for battle
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
pillowRest earned, and authority at ease
