Map of England showing where the Wightman arms are recorded
The Wightman arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1562.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Wightman 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 Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Wightman Family in England
The surname Wightman is rooted in the Old English language, derived from the words "wiht," meaning a person or creature, and "man." It was originally used as a descriptive nickname for a person who was considered strong, brave, or perhaps possessed of a unique character. By the time the family appeared in the historical records of Middlesex in 1562, the name had transitioned from a simple nickname into a formal hereditary surname. During the sixteenth century, families in this region were often tied to the local agricultural economy or the growing trade networks surrounding London. As the family established itself in Middlesex, they became part of the shifting social landscape of Tudor England, where surnames were increasingly used to track property ownership and legal obligations. This period marked a time of transition for the Wightmans, as they moved from being individuals known by a descriptor to a recognized family unit within the parish systems of the English countryside.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
maunchThe lady's sleeve, worn as a favour
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per fess ar. and sa. a maunch counterchanged”
Scotlandc. 1748
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 Scotland showing where the Wightman arms are recorded
The Wightman 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 England when the Wightman 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 Wightman Family in Scotland
The surname Wightman is rooted in the Old English words for a wise or strong man, suggesting that early bearers of the name were recognized for their intelligence or physical capability. While the name has deep ties to the northern regions of England, it became firmly established in Scotland by the eighteenth century. Records confirm that members of the Wightman family were active in Edinburgh by 1748, where they participated in the professional and social life of the growing city. During this period, Edinburgh was a major center for the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Wightmans often contributed to the city's development as merchants, tradespeople, or legal professionals. As they settled into the urban landscape of Scotland, these early family members helped transition the name from its rural, descriptive origins into a recognized part of the Scottish middle class.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wiht
Old English term for a creature, being, or person.
This name
WightmanA person who is a servant or attendant to a wise or strong individual.
also spelled
Wytman
Related arms
Webbrecorded with Wightman, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1958
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1562
London Metropolitan Archives, Church of England Parish Registers for Middlesex, 1562
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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
lionCourage, strength and royalty
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
maunchThe lady's sleeve, worn as a favour
