A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Birnie family of Scotland.
Reg. 6835 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
legStrength and swiftness
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Gu. a fesse ar. betw. a bow and arrow in full draught in chief and three men's legs couped at the thighs in fesse paleways of the second in base”
ScotlandBroomhill, c. 1748
Where the Birnie Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Birnie arms are recorded
The Birnie arms were recorded in Broomhill, 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 Birnie 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 Birnie Family in Scotland
The surname Birnie is rooted in the landscape of Scotland, likely originating as a locational name derived from the lands of Birnie in Moray. Historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748, where they participated in the city's growing professional and merchant classes during the eighteenth century. The name itself is thought to be linked to the Old Norse word for a burn or stream, suggesting that the earliest ancestors were identified by the specific geography of their home. As the family moved toward urban centers like Edinburgh, they transitioned from their rural origins to become part of the vibrant social and economic life of Scotland's capital. This movement reflects a broader trend of families migrating from the northern regions to the central lowlands to seek new opportunities in trade and law.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Byrnie
Old Norse word for a coat of mail or chainmail armor.
This name
BirnieDerived from a place name in Moray, referring to a dweller by the armored fortification.
also spelled
Birney
Burnie
Burney
Related arms
Inglisrecorded with Birnie, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh Register of Testaments, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
legStrength and swiftness
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
bowReadiness, and the strength held in reserve
legStrength and swiftness
