A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Clow family of Scotland.
Reg. 5864 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
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)
“Per fesse ar. and sa. three greyhounds' heads erased, counterchanged, collared, and ringed gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Clow Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Clow arms are recorded
The Clow 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 Clow 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 Clow Family in Scotland
The surname Clow is deeply rooted in the history of Scotland, with records confirming that families bearing the name were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. The name is generally considered a topographic or locational surname, likely derived from the Middle English or Scots word for a hill or a specific piece of land. During the eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a bustling center of trade and intellectual growth, and families like the Clows were often involved in the city’s expanding merchant classes or skilled trades. Because the name appears in parish registers and legal documents from this era, it is clear that these early ancestors were integrated into the urban life of Scotland’s capital. Over time, the family name spread from these central hubs into other regions, reflecting the movement of people during the industrial and social changes of the following centuries.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Clou
A Middle English term referring to a nail or a metal stud.
This name
ClowAn occupational name for a maker or seller of nails or metal fasteners.
also spelled
Clough
Related arms
Cloughvariant spelling
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 of Births and Marriages, 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.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
