heraldry

1. What are the arms of the Arbuthnot(t)s and how did they come about?
       There are various coats of arms, described hereunder. Coats of arms are granted to one person
       only and descend to one person only. Anyone is entitled to apply for one. The crest is part of a
       coat of arms (an "achievement") and, unless one is the armigerous heir (i.e. armiger or "owner"), it is
       only permissable (meaning legally allowed) to use one within a "belt and buckle" which indicates
       allegiance rather than entitlement. The law in Scotland is strictly enforced by the Procurator Fiscal
       to the Court of the Lord Lyon (website). There is no such thing as a "family crest". The Viscount
       has consented to all members of the family and the Association using his crest and motto within a
       belt and buckle but not otherwise (i.e. the device at the top of this page)
       All the Arbuthnot(t) arms are Scottish and therefore the motto is above the crest.
       Currently armigerous (meaning entitled to bear arms) Arbuthnot(t)s are
       the Much Honoured the Viscount of Arbuthnott (created 1641),
       the Hon Hugh S Arbuthnott (matriculated 1973),
       the Arbuthnot of Edinburgh baronet (created 1823, currently held by Sir Keith Arbuthnot) and
       the Arbuthnot of Kittybrewster baronet (created 1964, currently held by Sir William Arbuthnot).

2. Current coats of arms include the following:

3. Previous coats of arms include the following:
The sources of these are not always complete and, as stated, each coat contains crest and shield.

        Edith Jane Arbuthnot (Table J. - 10th March 1925 - LR 26/58)
               ii 01498: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent a bordure indented Gules charged with three boars' heads couped Or (Edith Jane Arbuthnot or Ambrose)
               ii 01500: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent a bordure indented Gules charged with three boars' heads couped Or - Inescutcheon of pretence over Ambrose (Edith Jane Arbuthnot or Ambrose - 24th Sep 1925 - LR 26/73)

       Philip Stewart-Mackenzie Arbuthnot (Table L. Matriculated posthumously 16 May 2024)
              Arms: Azure a crescent between three mullets argent within a bordure
                         indented gules charged with three boars' heads couped Or (for Arbuthnot):
                         impaling quarterly; I and IV, azure a griffin passant and a chief Or (for Evelyn);
                         II and III, argent two bars between nine maartlets vert (for Aylard).
              Crest:   A peacock's head and neck proper, gorged of a collar, intra indented sable and argent
                         indented gules charged with three boars' heads couped or.
              Motto: Innocent and true
                          ii 01501: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent within a bordure indented Gules charged with three boars' heads couped Or - Impaling Evelyn (Philip Stewart-Mackenzie Arbuthnot - 16th May 1967 - LR 49/112)
                          ii 0141/02926: 1st & 4th Azure a gryphon passant and a chief Or [for Evelyn] 2nd & 3rd Argent two bars between nine martlets Vert [for Aylard] impaling Arbuthnot (Ada Jane Evelyn or Arbuthnot - 16th May 1967 LR 49/112)

       Mary Evelyn Arbuthnot (Table L. Matriculated 23 Mar 2024 - ii 01499: LR 44/136)
              Arms: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent within a bordure
                         indented Gules charged with three boars' heads couped Or.

Mary Helena Arbuthnot or Pullan (Table M. ii 01496 - 20 Jan 2024 - LR 26/51)
Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent a bordure engrailed quarterly Or and of the second charged with four boars' heads couped Gules *B

       Arbuthnot
              Crest: A peacock's head couped proper, charged with a mullet
              Motto: Tam interna, quam externa (As well internal as external)

       Arbuthnot.
              Crest: A cross patt�e, Or *F

       Arbuthnot of Arbuthnotshaugh 1765
              1429: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent within a bordure crenelle Or.

Arbuthnot of Cairngall.
Shield: Azure, a crescent between three etoiles, two and one argent, the whole within a bordure.

Arbuthnot of Caterlan Crest: A peacock's head couped proper, charge with a mullet, Or Motto: Sit laus deo (Let praise be to God) 1422: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent within a bordure of the second, verdoy of eight fraises of the first (Aberbuthnet of Catherlen - 1672-7)
Arbuthnot of Fiddes. Crest: A peacock, proper F Motto: Tam interna, quam externa (As well internal as external* - qualities) 1423: Azure a crescent between three mullets within an orle of eight fraises Argent (Aberbuthnet of Fiddes - 1672-7)

       Arbuthnot of Findoury.
              Crest: A peacock, proper *F
              Motto: Interna proestant (Internal things stand fast / Inward things are best).
              Shield: Azure, a crescent between three etoiles, two and one argent, the whole within a bordure argent.
                         1424: Azure a crescent between three mullets within a bordure Argent (Aberbuthnet of Findowrie - 1672-7) *O

Arms of Arbuthnot of Findowrie

Arbuthnot of Kinghornie. Shield: Azure, a crescent between three etoiles, two and one argent, the whole within a bordure, engrailed.
Arbuthnot of Lentusche. Shield: On an azure field, between the horns of a crescent, three passion nails (for Wishart), the crescent between three mullets argent. A similar description: Gules, a chevron between two mullets in chief and in base a crescent ensigned by three passion nails in pile all Or (Wishart of Pitarrow is Gules, three piles in point Or).
Arbuthnot of Montrose. Crest: A dove with an adder in orle, proper F Motto: Innocue ac provide (Harmless and with foresight*) 1427: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent within a bordure indented and quartered of the second and first (Robert Aberbuthnet, Montrose - 1680-7)
Robert Arbuthnot of Rouen. Shield: d'argent, � trois arbres arrach�s de sinople 2 et 1.

       Robert Arbuthnott (1900-1980)
            Crest: A peacock's head couped at the neck Proper collared Ermine between two keys in saltire Or one on either side of the head.
             ii 01502: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent within a bordure cted Ermine charged with three lions' heads affrontee Gules imperially crowned Or (Robert Arbuthnott 1st April 1969 - LR 51/102)
            Motto: Laus deo.

Arbuthnot unknown.
Shield: Dexter: Azure, a crescent between three mullets Argent; Sinister: colour a chevron colour2 between three fleur de lis colour3 on a chief colour4 three roundels colour5.
Looks like an impalement of a wife's arms at marriage to the chief of the Arbuthnot arms. We need to check the names for marriages. Googling on the assumed blazon gives a few families with the same arms (without the chief & roundels) like Brown of Balquham and Keninmonth of Craighall and Green and Pickering and Bellasis and Montgomery Hugh, Earl of Arundel and Shrewsbury; Robert Earl of Belesme and Shrewsbury. The chief roundels could be a matriculation from any of such arms. [Image]

4. Associated families' coats of arms include the following:

       Carnegy-Arbuthnott of Balnamoon.
              Crests:   1. A peacock's head and neck couped Proper (for Arbuthnott)
                           2. A hand grasping a thunderbolt proper (for Carnegy)
              Shield:    Quarterly, 1st and 4th Azure, a crescent between three mullets within a bordure Argent;
                           2nd & 3rd, Or, an eagle displayed Azure beaked and membered Gules, within a bordure Vair
              Mottos: 1.   Interna praestant (Internal things stand fast)
                           2.   Dread God
              1435/1865: 1st & 4th Azure a crescent between three mullets within a bordure Argent 2nd & 3rd Or an eagle displayed Azure within a bordure Vair (Capel-Carnegy-Arbuthnot of Balnamoon - 1898)
              ii 01509/01839: 1st & 4th Azure a crescent between three mullets within a bordure Argent 2nd & 3rd Or an eagle displayed Azure beaked and membered Gules within a bordure Vair [for Carnegy] (Enid Carnegy-Arbuthnott of Balnamoon & Lt Col. Wilmot Boys Carnegy-Arbuthnott (formerly Adams) - 21st June 1923 - LR 25/76)

       Arbuthnot-Leslie of Warthill (matriculated 7 May 2024).
              Crests:    Dexter, a demi-griffin segreant proper
                           Sinister, a peacock's head and neck proper
              Shield:    Quarterly, 1st Argent on a bend Azure between a mullet in chief and a holly leaf
                            slipped in base both Vert three buckles Or (for Leslie of Warthill);
                            2nd and 3rd, Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent a bordure per pale Or
                            and of the second charged with three boar's heads erased Gules (for Arbuthnot);
                            4th Argent three torches Sable combined in base, enflamed Proper surmounted of a
                            fess Azure charge with three buckles Or (Leslie of Warthill ancient and Cruikshank).
              Mottos:   Dexter, Grip fast
                            Sinister, Innocent and true
               ii 0480/01514/05888: (Lt. William Arbuthnot-Leslie of Warthill - 7th May 1947 - LR 36/52)

       Arbuthnot-Hassell of Weybridge (Table B)
              Source:    We found this on the internet at http://www.apl385.com/gilling/stonegrv.htm
                             The arms are in a church in Stonegrave, Yorkshire.
                             William Comber, Vicar of Kirbymoorside c.1750 married in Oswaldkirk, Yorks
                             22 September 2023 Dorothy Arbuthnot of Weybridge, daughter of James
                             Arbuthnot and Dorothy Hassell (dau of James Hassell).
              Shield:    Quarterly, 1st azure, a crescent between three mullets argent (for Arbuthnot);
                            2nd and 3rd, vert, three adders palewise argent (for Hassell).

5. Artists
       The images marked *O were created by Orror and the images marked *B were created by Bruno_vallette. They are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike license 2.5, 2.0, 1.0 (see Creative commons licences. The crests marked *F were scanned from ''Fairbairns Book of Crests''.

6. Where can I find out more?
       Pimbley's Dictionary of heraldic terms
       Frequently asked heraldic questions
       Extract re Scottish heraldry
       Arbuthnot Genealogy
       Fake titles
       Hereditarytitles.com

For further information please contact
The webmaster
who will welcome corrections, additions and constructive suggestions

Last brought up to date 16:30 04 September 2023
All contents of this site Copyright � Sir William Arbuthnot Bt 1997 - 2003. All rights reserved.

The Viscount of Arbuthnott's crest is "a peacock's head, couped (i.e. cut) at the neck, proper (in natural colours) beaked Or (gold)". His shield is "azure (blue), a crescent between three mullets (stars), argent (silver)". Supporters: Two wyverns wings elevated, tails nowed Vert, vomiting flames Proper. His motto is "Laus Deo" (Praise be to God). Standard: The Arms of Arbuthnott of that Ilk in the hoist and of two tracts Azure and Argent, upon which is depicted the Badge three times along with the Motto 'Laus Deo' in letters Argent upon two transverse bands Vert 1421: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent (Viscount Arbuthnot - 1673) ii 01495: (Rt Hon Robert Keith, Viscount of Arbuthnott - 30th July 1962 - LR 46/120) *O
The Hon Hugh S. Arbuthnott's crest is "a peacock's head couped proper; gorged with a collar Argent charged with a cross engrailed Sable". His shield is "Azure, a crescent between three mullets Argent; a bordure of the last, thereon eight torteaux, each charged with a cinquefoil Ermine". His motto is "Laudo Deum" (I praise the Lord).
Arbuthnot of Edinburgh Sir Keith's crest is "a peacock's head, proper" His shield is "Azure, a crescent between three mullets, two and one Argent, the whole within a bordure, Or, charged with three boars' heads, couped, Gules". Supporters: dexter, a wyvern vert; sinister, a greyhound arg., collar and line reflexed over the back gules His motto is "Innocent and true". It is unusual for a commoner (meaning one who is not a Peer) to be granted supporters and it is said that Sir William Arbuthnot, 1st Baronet of Edinburgh, was granted supporters when, as Provost of Edinburgh, he hosted a dinner for the King who enjoyed himself so much he offered supporters to William if he was able to walk round the table without support. 1430: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent within a bordure Or charged with three boars' heads erased Gules (Sir William Arbuthnot - 1st Matric 1814, 2nd Matric 1822) *O
Arbuthnot of Kittybrewster Sir William's crest is "a peacock's head and neck proper accompanied on either side by a spray of strawberry leaves vert each flowered of a cinquefoil argent". His shield is "Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent, a bordure Gules charged with two escallops in chief and a buck's head cabossed Or in base, and in centre chief (overlapping the bordure) an inescutcheon Argent charged of a sinister hand erect epaumee couped Gules". His motto is "Deum Laudans" (Praising God). (ii 01497: 11th March 1966 - LR 49/4) *O
Hugh Forbes Arbuthnott ii 01503: Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent within a bordure indented Ermine charged with three lions' heads affrontee Gules imperially crowned Or (Hugh Forbes Arbuthnott - 21st June 1954 - LR 40/13)

Alexander Aberbuthnet 2730: Azure a fraise issuing out of a crescent between three mullets Argent (Alexander Aberbuthnet - 1672-7)
David George Arbuthnot (Table K. Matriculated 5 July1967) Arms: Quarterly: I and IV, azure a crescent between three mullets argent all within a bordure engrailed Or charged with three boars' heads erased gules for difference (for Arbuthnot): II and III, argent a double-headed eagle displayed sable, on a chief vert three spur-rowels Or (for Aitchison). Crests: (1) A peacock's head and neck proper, mantling azure, doubled argent (2) A cock proper standing on a trumpet Or, mantling sable doubled argent Mottos: (1) Innocent and true (2) Vigilantibus ii 01508/01884: 1st & 4th Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent all within a bordure engrailed Or charged with three boars' heads erased Gules 2nd & 3rd Argent a double headed eagle displayed Sable on a chief Vert three spur revels Or [for Aitchison] (David George Arbuthnot, South Africa - 7th Nov 1966 LR49/107)
John Bernard Arbuthnot (Table K. 3 June 2024 - LR 32/18) ii 01507/01883: 1st & 4th Azure a crescent between three mullets Argent all within a bordure engrailed Or charged with three boars' heads erased Gules 2nd & 3rd Argent a double headed eagle displayed Sable on a chief Vert three spur revels Or [for Aitchison] (Major John Bernard Arbuthnot - 3rd June 1936 - LR 32/18)

Arbuthnot of Auchterforfar. Shield: Azure, a crescent between three etoiles, two and one argent, the whole within a bordure or. *O
Arbuthnot of Balglessie. Shield: Azure, a crescent between three etoiles, two and one argent, the whole within a bordure or embattled. *O

	THE ARBUTHNOTT FAMILY ASSOCIATION
	Heraldry