Its seat was located in the city of Arkhangelsk.
Arkhangelsk Oblast was one of the three original oblasts of Vologda Viceroyalty, when the latter was established by the Catherine II's decree (ukase) on February 5 [O.S.
In 1780, Arkhangelsk, Velsk, Kola, Krasnoborsk, Mezen, Onega, Pinega, Solvychegodsk, Shenkursk, and Yarensk were given the town status, and coat of arms were designed for these towns.
[3] The oblast was abolished by Catherine II's decree on April 6 [O.S.
March 26], 1784, when it was re-organized into Arkhangelsk Viceroyalty with the administrative center in Archangel.