Map of Scotland showing where the Veitch arms are recorded
The Veitch arms were recorded in Dawick, 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 Veitch 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 Veitch Family in Scotland
The surname Veitch is a locational name that originated in the Scottish Borders, specifically linked to the lands of Dawyck in Peeblesshire. The name is believed to be a variation of the French word "vache," which translates to cow, and it likely served as a nickname for a cattle farmer or a person who managed livestock. By the mid-18th century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, a city that served as a hub for legal, medical, and merchant professionals during the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Veitch family were active participants in the social and economic life of the capital during this period of rapid urban growth. As the family moved from their rural roots into the city, they became integrated into the professional classes, contributing to the development of Edinburgh as a center of culture and commerce.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
vache
Old French term for a cow.
This name
VeitchA locational or occupational name referring to a cowherd or someone from a place associated with cattle.
also spelled
Veach
Veech
Vetch
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
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Burgess and Guild Brethren Roll, 1748
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