Map of Scotland showing where the Tafa arms are recorded
The Tafa 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 Tafa 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 Tafa Family in Scotland
The Tafa family name has a distinct presence in the historical records of Edinburgh dating back to at least 1748. During the mid-eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a city defined by the rapid intellectual growth of the Scottish Enlightenment and a shifting social landscape. Families living in the city at this time often navigated the transition from traditional trade-based roles to the emerging professional classes. While the name Tafa is relatively rare, its appearance in local records suggests that early members were integrated into the urban life of Scotland’s capital during a period of significant cultural development. These early ancestors likely contributed to the local economy or the bustling civic life of the Old Town, leaving behind a legacy that connects the family to the foundational history of the city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Taff
A diminutive form of the Welsh name David meaning beloved.
This name
TafaA Scottish surname likely derived as a nickname for someone of Welsh origin.
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh City Parish Register of Baptisms, 1748
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fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
cross symbolChristian faith and service
lionCourage, strength and royalty
