Map of Scotland showing where the Wight arms are recorded
The Wight arms were recorded in Haddington, c. 1748.
Haddington, now East Lothian, was the best farmland in Scotland and lay close to Edinburgh. Good land near the capital stayed in the hands of families of standing, and standing brought 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 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 Wight 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 Haddington.
Origin & History of the Wight Family in Scotland
The surname Wight has deep roots in the Scottish Lowlands, particularly within the historic county of East Lothian. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family was well-established in the town of Haddington, which served as a bustling center for trade and agriculture. The name itself is thought to derive from the Old Norse word "wiht," which means a creature or a person, suggesting that early ancestors may have been identified by their distinct personality or physical presence. In the context of Haddington in 1748, the Wight family lived during a time of significant social change as Scotland transitioned toward the modern era. Members of the family were often involved in the local community as skilled tradespeople or landowners, contributing to the steady growth of the town. These early generations helped shape the local identity of the region, leaving a lasting mark on the history of East Lothian through their daily work and civic participation.
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
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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 chev. betw. three boars' heads couped or”
NorfolkNorfolk, c. 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of England showing where the Wight arms are recorded
The Wight arms were recorded in Norfolk, c. 1620.
Norfolk grew rich on wool and grain, and its wealth was spread among many middling families rather than a few great ones. Households of that kind bought land and took arms, and the county holds a large share of English names.
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 Wight 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 Norfolk.
Origin & History of the Wight Family in England
The surname Wight is rooted in the Old English word "wiht," which originally meant a creature or a person. In the context of medieval England, this name was often used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was considered strong, brave, or nimble. By the time the family was firmly established in Norfolk by 1620, the name had evolved from a simple descriptor into a formal hereditary surname passed down through generations. During this era, Norfolk was a center of agricultural prosperity and trade, which likely provided the stability needed for the family to grow and document their presence in local parish records. As the family settled into the rural landscape of East Anglia, they became part of the local social fabric, participating in the daily life and community governance that defined seventeenth-century English society.
Wight Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
wiht
Old English term for a creature, being, or person.
This name
WightA descriptor for a person who is strong, nimble, or courageous.
also spelled
Wyght
Wite
Related arms
Cockburnrecorded with Wight, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Anderson, William, The Scottish Nation; or, The Surnames, Families, Literature, Honours, and Biographical History of the People of Scotland, 1863
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Haddington Burgh Records, B30/1/1
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
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
bearStrength, cunning and protection of kin
boars headA fierce fighter who battles to the end
