Map of Scotland showing where the Byrge arms are recorded
The Byrge arms were recorded in Aberdeen, c. 1748.
Aberdeen was a granite trading town on the north-east coast with farming country behind it. Merchants who prospered bought estates inland, and buying an estate was what brought a family its arms.
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 Byrge 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 Aberdeen.
Origin & History of the Byrge Family in Scotland
The surname Byrge is deeply connected to the coastal landscape of Northeast Scotland, with documented evidence placing the family in Aberdeen by 1748. The name likely evolved from Old Norse or Old English roots, where terms related to a "byrg" or "burh" often described a fortified settlement or a sheltered place. During the mid-18th century, Aberdeen was a bustling center for trade and maritime activity, and families like the Byrges were often integrated into the local merchant or artisan classes. As the city grew into a major port, the family name became part of the local social fabric, reflecting the industrious nature of the region. By tracing their presence back to this era, we see a family that was established in a city known for its granite architecture and strong ties to the North Sea.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Birg
Old Norse term for a fortification or a protected place.
This name
ByrgeDerived from a topographic descriptor for someone who lived near a castle or stronghold.
also spelled
Byers
Byris
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives, Aberdeen Burgh Register of Sasines (1748)
Black, George F., 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
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
martletA younger son, who must win his own land
