Map of Scotland showing where the Corstorphine arms are recorded
The Corstorphine arms were recorded in Kings-Barnes, 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 Corstorphine 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 Corstorphine Family in Scotland
The name Corstorphine is deeply rooted in the geography of the Lothian region of Scotland, specifically originating from the village of the same name located just west of Edinburgh. The name itself is thought to derive from the Gaelic words for a cross and a shrine, suggesting that the area was a site of early religious significance long before it became a residential hub. By the mid-eighteenth century, records confirm that families bearing this name were well-established within the city of Edinburgh. These early residents likely lived through a period of immense transformation as the city expanded beyond its medieval walls. While the name began as a way to identify people by their local parish, it eventually became a permanent family surname passed down through generations of Scots who contributed to the growth and daily life of the capital city.
Corstorphine Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Torfin
Old Norse name meaning Thor's fin or Thor's stone.
This name
CorstorphineA Scottish place name derived from the cross of Torfin, referring to a specific settlement.
also spelled
Corstorphyne
Corstorphyn
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 Parish Registers, 1748
Watson, William J., The History of the Celtic Place-Names of Scotland, 1926
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
hunting horn stringedOne who delights in the chase
