Gordon Coat of Arms & Family Crest
Where the Gordon name began, what it means, and where it was first recorded.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Gordon coat of arms for you.
Origin of the Gordon name
Gordon is a Scottish habitational name from Gordon in Berwickshire, probably from Brittonic words meaning "spacious fort" or "great hill". The family that took its name from the place moved north in the 14th century, when Robert the Bruce granted them Strathbogie in Aberdeenshire. Their chiefs became the Earls of Huntly, and the name is still most common in the north-east of Scotland.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Gordon name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Gordon name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Canada and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Your full Gordon pack adds the researched history, early records and migration. Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Gordon coat of arms for you.
Gordon name FAQ
What does the Gordon name mean?
From Gordon ("spacious fort"). Common variants include Gorden, Gordan, Gourdon.
Where does the Gordon surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Is there a Gordon coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Gordon crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Gordon coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.