A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Barrowman family of Scotland.
Reg. 2017 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Ar. on a chev. gu. betw. three martlets sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Barrowman Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Barrowman arms are recorded
The Barrowman 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 Scotland when the Barrowman 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 Barrowman Family in Scotland
The surname Barrowman is an occupational name that originated in Scotland, serving as a descriptive title for individuals who worked as laborers or porters. In the medieval period, a barrowman was someone tasked with transporting goods or materials using a hand-barrow, which was a simple wooden frame used for carrying heavy loads before the widespread use of carts. By the mid-eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this era, Edinburgh was a rapidly growing city where such laborers were essential to the construction and trade industries that fueled the local economy. The name reflects the practical and hardworking nature of those early ancestors who helped build the infrastructure of Scotland’s capital city.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Barwe
Old English term for a burial mound or barrow.
This name
BarrowmanAn occupational surname for a person who worked at or lived near a burial mound.
also spelled
Barroman
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, CC8/8/111
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
