Map of Scotland showing where the Swinton arms are recorded
The Swinton arms were recorded in Berwick, c. 1748.
Berwickshire was Scottish border country, raided and fought over for three centuries. Families held their land in return for defending it, and a defending household carried a shield.
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 Swinton 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 Berwick.
Origin & History of the Swinton Family in Scotland
The family name Swinton originates from the lands of Swinton in the historic county of Berwickshire, Scotland. The name is locational, meaning it was adopted by individuals who lived on or owned these specific lands near the border with England. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that members of the Swinton family were well-established residents of the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed. During this period, the family was deeply integrated into the local community, often participating in the civic and professional life of the region. The name itself is derived from Old English roots, likely referring to a place where swine were kept or herded. Over many generations, the family transitioned from being identified by their connection to a specific plot of land to becoming a recognizable surname that spread through the border regions and beyond.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Swine-tun
Old English terms for a pig enclosure or farmstead.
This name
SwintonRefers to a settlement or town where swine were kept or bred.
also spelled
Swynton
Swyntoun
Swyntone
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Anderson, William, The Scottish Nation; or, The Surnames, Families, Literature, Honours, and Biographical History of the People of Scotland, 1863
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
Berwick-upon-Tweed Record Office, Berwick Guild Minute Books, 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
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
