A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Trotter family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 9955 · English, T–V
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Quarterly, 1st and 4th, ar. a crescent gu. on a chief indented az. three mullets pierced of the field, a canton ar. for distinction, for Trotter; 2nd and 3rd, az. a chev. chequy ar. and sa. betw. three fleurs-de-lis of the second, for Brown”
SurreyHorton Manor · Surrey, c. 1868
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Map of England showing where the Trotter arms are recorded
The Trotter arms were recorded in Surrey, c. 1868.
Surrey sat just south of London and filled up with families who had made money in the City. Buying an estate there was the usual next step, and an estate was the usual reason to take 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.
Victoria
Sovereign of the period
Victoria
1837–1901
Reigning in England when the Trotter 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 Surrey.
Origin & History of the Trotter Family in England
The surname Trotter is an occupational name that originated in medieval England, likely referring to a messenger or a courier who traveled long distances on foot. During the Middle Ages, the term was often used to describe someone who moved with a brisk or trotting pace, making it a fitting nickname for those employed to deliver urgent news or goods between towns. While the family name became established in various regions over the centuries, records confirm that members of the Trotter family were well-settled in the county of Surrey by 1868. By this time, the name had transitioned from a simple descriptor of a person’s gait into a stable family identity passed down through generations. These early families in Surrey were part of a long tradition of individuals who helped build the social and economic foundations of their local communities.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
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 chev. indented gu. betw. three boars' heads couped sa”
Scotlandc. 1672
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Map of Scotland showing where the Trotter arms are recorded
The Trotter arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1672.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Trotter 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 Trotter Family in Scotland
The surname Trotter has deep roots in the Scottish Lowlands, where it emerged as a descriptive name for someone who traveled quickly or served as a messenger. While the family name appears in various records across the border regions, a significant milestone occurs in 1672 when the name is formally documented within the city of Edinburgh. During this period, the Trotters were becoming well-established members of the urban professional class, often working as merchants or legal clerks. Their presence in the capital city reflects a broader trend of families moving from rural areas into growing administrative centers to seek new opportunities. By settling in Edinburgh, the family secured a firm place in the social and economic life of Scotland, helping to transition the name from its humble origins into a recognized part of the nation’s historical landscape.
Trotter Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
trot
to move at a pace faster than a walk
This name
Trotteran occupational name for a messenger or a nickname for a fast walker
also spelled
Trottar
Trottor
Related arms
Haysimilar arms
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Surrey Quarter Sessions Records, 1868
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
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cantonA mark of honour granted by the sovereign
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
fleur de lisPurity, light, and the sixth son
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
