A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Waston family of Scotland.
Reg. 7314 · Scottish, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
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)
“Gu. a bend sinister ar. charged with a rose gu. betw. two crescents sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Waston Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Waston arms are recorded
The Waston 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 Waston 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 Waston Family in Scotland
The surname Waston is a variant of the more common name Watson, which originated as a patronymic meaning son of Wat. Wat was a popular medieval nickname for the name Walter. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the Waston family had established a clear presence in Edinburgh. Records from 1748 show that these individuals were active members of the city during a time of significant social and economic growth in Scotland. During this era, families with this name were often integrated into the urban life of the capital, working in trades or professional roles that supported the expanding city. While the spelling shifted over time, the name reflects a long tradition of family naming conventions that were common across the Scottish Lowlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Walter
Derived from Germanic elements meaning army ruler or powerful warrior.
This name
WastonA patronymic surname meaning son of Walter.
also spelled
Wastun
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., 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.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
