Map of Scotland showing where the Strachan arms are recorded
The Strachan arms were recorded in Kincardine, c. 1625.
Kincardineshire was a narrow strip of farmland between the hills and the North Sea. Its landed families were few but very long-settled, and long settlement brought 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1587–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Strachan 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 Kincardine.
Origin & History of the Strachan Family in Scotland
The name Strachan originates from the lands of Strachan in Kincardineshire, Scotland. The name itself comes from the Gaelic words "strath," meaning a wide valley, and "an," which refers to the river that flows through it. By the early 13th century, individuals began to adopt the name of these lands as their own surname, following the common practice of the Scottish nobility at the time. The family established a strong presence in Kincardine, where they held significant influence over the local landscape for generations. By 1625, records confirm that members of the family were well-settled in the region, continuing a long tradition of connection to the area. This deep tie to the geography of the Scottish northeast shaped the identity of the family as they moved through the centuries.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Az. a stag trippant or, attired and ungued gu”
EnglandCounsellor-at-law, c. 1756
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Strachan arms are recorded
The Strachan arms were recorded in Counsellor-at-law, c. 1756.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried 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 England in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in Scotland when the Strachan arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
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 England.
Origin & History of the Strachan Family in England
The surname Strachan originates from a specific location in Kincardineshire, Scotland, where early settlers took the name of their lands to identify themselves. While the family roots are deeply tied to the north, members of the family began moving south into England as trade and social mobility increased during the eighteenth century. By 1756, records confirm that individuals bearing the Strachan name were established in the city of York. At this time, York was a major hub for commerce and administration in Northern England, making it a logical destination for families looking to expand their professional or social standing. These early settlers likely integrated into the local community through business ventures or skilled trades, marking the transition of the family from their traditional Scottish origins into the broader landscape of English society.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
strath
A wide river valley or broad valley floor.
This name
StrachanDerived from the lands of Strachan in Kincardineshire, signifying a valley point.
also spelled
Straghan
Strahan
Related arms
Strahanvariant spelling
Leslie-Melvillerecorded with Strachan, same area
Melvillerecorded with Strachan, same area
Nivenrecorded with Strachan, same area
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
Johnston, James B., Place-Names of Scotland, 1934
National Records of Scotland, Register of the Great Seal of Scotland (Registrum Magni Sigilli Regum Scotorum), 1306–1668
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
