A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Wilson family lines. Documented in 3 countries.
Reg. 1025 · English, W–Z
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wolfReward from long service and hard work
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
What the shield shows
A black background with a gold wolf leaping, and three gold stars along the top.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a wolf salient or, in chief three mullets of the last”
WorcesterWorcester, c. 1571
Where the Wilson Arms Were Recorded
Worcester
Map of England showing where the Wilson arms are recorded
The Wilson arms were recorded in Worcester, c. 1571.
Worcestershire was orchard and farming country with a scattering of old manors. Its gentry were middling rather than great, but a manor was a manor, and holding one was what 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 England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Wilson 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 Worcester.
Origin & History of the Wilson Family in England
PronunciationWIL-suhn/ˈwɪlsən/
The surname Wilson is a patronymic name, which means it was created to identify a person as the son of William. During the Middle Ages, William was an incredibly popular name in England, largely due to the influence of William the Conqueror. As the population grew and people began to move into towns, they needed a way to distinguish individuals with the same first name. By adding the suffix "son" to the name William, families established a permanent identifier that eventually became a hereditary surname passed down through generations.
By the year 1571, the Wilson family had established a notable presence in the city of Worcester. At this time, Worcester was a bustling center for trade and cloth manufacturing. Families like the Wilsons often played active roles in the local economy, serving as merchants, craftsmen, or members of the local parish. Records from this period show that the Wilsons were integrated into the social fabric of the city, participating in the civic life that defined English town culture during the Elizabethan era. Their presence in the city archives indicates that they were settled members of the community who contributed to the growth and administration of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
wolfReward from long service and hard work
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
Colours
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
What the shield shows
A black background with a silver wolf rearing up, its claws and tongue red, set between three gold stars. A small crescent marks it as a younger branch.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Sa. a wolf ramp. ar. armed and langued gu. betw. three estoiles or, a crescent for diff”
DonegalWilson's Court · Donegal, c. 1629
Where the Wilson Arms Were Recorded
Donegal
Map of Ireland showing where the Wilson arms are recorded
The Wilson arms were recorded in Donegal, c. 1629.
Donegal was remote north-western Irish country of mountain and coast. Its land was poor and its families few, but those who held ground held it for a very long time.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Wilson arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Donegal.
Origin & History of the Wilson Family in Ireland
PronunciationWIL-suhn/ˈwɪlsən/
The surname Wilson is of patronymic origin, meaning it was originally formed by adding the suffix "son" to the personal name Will, a common nickname for William. While the name has deep roots in England and Scotland, it became firmly established in Ireland during the seventeenth century. This was largely due to the Plantation of Ulster, a government-sponsored project that encouraged settlers from Britain to move to the northern province of Ireland. By 1629, records confirm that families bearing the Wilson name were already well-settled in County Donegal, where they integrated into the local economy and social structure of the region.
Life for these early families in Donegal was defined by the challenges of a changing landscape. As part of the new settler community, the Wilsons were often involved in agriculture and trade, helping to develop the infrastructure of the county during a period of significant political transition. Over time, the name became deeply woven into the fabric of Irish society. While the family began as newcomers in the early 1600s, they gradually became a permanent fixture in the northwest of Ireland, with later generations spreading throughout the country and contributing to the diverse history of the region.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
headHonour, and a mind held high
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
dogLoyalty, courage and vigilance
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
What the shield shows
A silver background with a red chevron across it, carrying a silver hound's head torn off at the neck, and three red stars set around it.
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. on a chev. betw. three mullets gu. a talbot's head erased of the first”
EdinburghEdinburgh, c. 1674
Where the Wilson Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Wilson arms are recorded
The Wilson arms were recorded in Edinburgh, c. 1674.
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.
Charles II of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles II of England
1660–1685
Reigning in England when the Wilson 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 Edinburgh.
Origin & History of the Wilson Family in Scotland
PronunciationWIL-suhn/ˈwɪlsən/
The surname Wilson is a patronymic name, which means it was created to identify a person as the son of Will or William. In Scotland, the name became prominent during the late Middle Ages as surnames transitioned from descriptive nicknames to inherited family names. Because William was a popular name throughout the British Isles, the surname Wilson emerged independently in many different regions. By the time the name appeared in official records in Edinburgh in 1674, it was already well-established among the merchant and artisan classes of the city.
Families carrying the name Wilson in 17th-century Edinburgh often played active roles in the growing urban economy. During this period, the city was a hub for trade, law, and the Scottish Enlightenment. Records from the era show Wilsons working as skilled craftsmen, burgesses, and members of the city guilds. These individuals helped shape the social fabric of the capital as Scotland moved toward the Act of Union. The presence of the family in Edinburgh during this time reflects a broader trend of families settling in growing administrative centers to seek new opportunities in commerce and civic life.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
William
Derived from Germanic elements meaning resolute protector or strong-willed warrior.
This name
WilsonA patronymic surname meaning son of the resolute protector.
also spelled
Wylson
Wilsonn
Wilsson
Wylsone
Related arms
Andrewrecorded with Wilson, same area
Birdrecorded with Wilson, same area
Boultonrecorded with Wilson, same area
Braithwaiterecorded with Wilson, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service, Worcester City Records: Quarter Sessions and Parish Registers
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wolfReward from long service and hard work
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
wolfReward from long service and hard work
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
crescentHonour by the sovereign, and the second son
headHonour, and a mind held high
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
dogLoyalty, courage and vigilance
