A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Burra family of Scotland.
Reg. 4541 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
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)
“Erm. a chev. engr. az. betw. three chaplets of roses ppr. a chief vert fretty ar”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Burra Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Burra arms are recorded
The Burra 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 Burra 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 Burra Family in Scotland
The surname Burra is deeply connected to the historical landscape of Scotland, with documented evidence placing family members in Edinburgh as early as 1748. The name is often linked to geographical origins, as it shares a title with the Burra islands in the Shetland archipelago. In the mid-eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a vibrant center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families residing there were often involved in the city’s growing trade, legal, or academic circles. While the name is relatively rare, its presence in the capital suggests that early ancestors were part of the urban migration that defined the era. Over time, the family name became a marker of this specific Scottish heritage, reflecting a history rooted in both the rugged northern islands and the scholarly atmosphere of the mainland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Borg
Old Norse term for a fortification or a sheltered place.
This name
BurraDerived from a place name in Shetland, referring to a fortified settlement or a rocky headland.
also spelled
Burrah
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms 1748
Black, George Fraser, The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History, 1946
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
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
roseThe seventh son, and beauty with grace
