A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Broun family of Scotland.
Reg. 2886 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
ErmineMeans: Dignity
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 bend erm. on a chief ar. three torteaux”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Broun Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Broun arms are recorded
The Broun 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 Broun 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 Broun Family in Scotland
The surname Broun is a variant of the name Brown, which originated as a descriptive term for people with brown hair, eyes, or complexions. In Scotland, the spelling Broun became a distinct way to identify families who had deep roots in the Lowlands and the capital city. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the Broun family was well-established in Edinburgh, where they participated in the city’s growing professional and social life. During this period, Edinburgh was a hub of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Brouns were often involved in the legal, academic, or merchant classes that defined the city. Their presence in the 1748 records highlights their role as settled citizens during a time when Scotland was rapidly modernizing its economy and urban infrastructure.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brun
Old Germanic or Old French word meaning brown or dark-colored.
This name
BrounA descriptive surname originally used to identify a person with brown hair or a dark complexion.
also spelled
Brown
Browne
Broon
Related arms
Broonvariant spelling
Brownvariant spelling
Brownevariant spelling
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 Burgess and Guild Register, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
bendDefence, and the scarf of a commander
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roundelA coin, and one who has been to the crusades
