A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Crombie family of Scotland.
Reg. 0459 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Green (Vert)Means: Hope
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
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)
“Vert a cross botonnée ar. on a chief of the last a lion pass. gu”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Crombie Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Crombie arms are recorded
The Crombie 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 Crombie 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 Crombie Family in Scotland
The surname Crombie is a locational name that originated in Scotland, specifically derived from the lands of Crombie in the parish of Gamrie, located in Banffshire. The name itself comes from the Gaelic word "crom," which means crooked or bent, likely referring to the winding nature of the local landscape or a nearby stream. By the middle of the eighteenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, as evidenced by records from 1748. During this era, members of the family were active participants in the city's growing urban life, working in various trades and professional roles that helped define the social fabric of Scotland’s capital. Over time, the family spread from their northern roots to become part of the historical narrative of Edinburgh, contributing to the development of the city during a period of significant cultural and economic growth.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Crumbach
A Gaelic term referring to a crooked or bent stream.
This name
CrombieDerived from a place name in Aberdeenshire, signifying a settlement located near a winding or crooked river.
also spelled
Cromby
Related arms
Crumbie, or Crumbesame arms
Cromb, Croume, or Counevariant spelling
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, Register of Testaments, 1748
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
