Map of Scotland showing where the Watterson arms are recorded
The Watterson 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 Watterson 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 Watterson Family in Scotland
The surname Watterson is primarily recognized as a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person as the son of Walter. The name Walter itself comes from Germanic roots meaning a powerful ruler of an army. While the name has strong historical ties to the Isle of Man and parts of Northern England, records confirm that members of the Watterson family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. During the eighteenth century, families with this name in Scotland were often involved in the city's growing trade and craft guilds. As the family settled into urban life in Edinburgh, they became part of the social fabric of a city undergoing rapid intellectual and economic expansion. This transition from rural roots to city life reflects the broader movement of families seeking new opportunities in Scotland’s capital during the Enlightenment era.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Walter
Derived from Germanic elements meaning rule and army or warrior.
This name
WattersonA patronymic surname meaning son of Walter.
also spelled
Watteres
Water
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.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
