Map of Scotland showing where the Culbreth arms are recorded
The Culbreth 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 Culbreth 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 Culbreth Family in Scotland
The surname Culbreth is rooted in the Gaelic language and is traditionally associated with the regions of Scotland. The name is believed to derive from the Gaelic phrase *cùil breith*, which translates to the corner of judgment or the nook of the decision. This suggests that early ancestors may have held roles as local mediators or lived near a specific landmark where community disputes were settled. By 1748, records confirm that members of the Culbreth family were established in Edinburgh, a city that served as a major center for commerce and intellectual growth during the Scottish Enlightenment. As the family settled in this urban environment, they likely participated in the professional and trade guilds that defined eighteenth-century Scottish life. Over time, the name evolved in spelling as the family moved through different regions, yet it remains a distinct marker of their Scottish heritage and historical connection to the Lowlands.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Culbrie
A Gaelic topographical term referring to the back of a hill.
This name
CulbrethDerived from a Scottish place name indicating someone who lived behind a ridge or hill.
also spelled
Galbreath
Galbraith
Calbraith
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 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.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
