Map of Scotland showing where the Waddell arms are recorded
The Waddell 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 Waddell 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 Waddell Family in Scotland
The surname Waddell has deep roots in the Lowlands of Scotland, where it emerged as a variation of the name Waddilove or Wadel. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had firmly established itself in the bustling capital of Edinburgh. Records from 1748 confirm that members of the Waddell family were active participants in the city’s growing urban society during a time of significant economic and cultural change. Historically, the name is associated with the Scottish Borders and the central regions, where families often worked as skilled tradesmen, merchants, or landowners. As Edinburgh expanded into a center for trade and law, the Waddells became part of the professional class that helped shape the city’s development. Their presence in the capital during this era reflects a broader trend of families moving from rural areas into the city to take advantage of new opportunities in education and commerce.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
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)
“Erm. a fess chequy ar. and az. in chief two martlets of the last”
KentBeach House · Kent, c. 1620
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Map of England showing where the Waddell arms are recorded
The Waddell arms were recorded in Kent, c. 1620.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of 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.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Scotland when the Waddell 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 Kent.
Origin & History of the Waddell Family in England
The name Waddell is believed to have originated as a descriptive nickname, likely derived from the Old English words for "wade" and "hill," suggesting that early ancestors may have lived near a crossing point or a low-lying area. While the name has strong roots in the Scottish Borders, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the county of Kent by 1620. During this period, Kent served as a vital gateway for trade and migration, placing the Waddell family in a region characterized by rapid social change and agricultural development. As the family settled into English life, they integrated into the local parish systems, which were the primary way of recording births, marriages, and deaths in the seventeenth century. This migration from the north to the southeast reflects a broader pattern of movement during the early modern era as families sought new opportunities in the prosperous southern counties of England.
Waddell Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Wad
A diminutive form of the Germanic name Walter meaning powerful ruler.
This name
WaddellA Scottish patronymic surname derived from a nickname for a son of Walter.
also spelled
Waddill
Waddall
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 Register of Testaments. 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
saltireResolution, and St Andrew's cross
chequyConstancy, and the counting-board
buckleFidelity, and a bond firmly held
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
