A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Curren family of Scotland.
Reg. 8585 · Scottish, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
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)
“Ar. three shields in fesse sa”
Scotlandc. 1748
Where the Curren Arms Were Recorded
Edinburgh
Map of Scotland showing where the Curren arms are recorded
The Curren 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 Curren 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 Curren Family in Scotland
The surname Curren is primarily rooted in the Gaelic tradition, evolving from the Irish name Ó Corraidh, which translates to descendant of the spear-side or champion. While the name has deep origins in Ireland, families bearing this name were well-established in Edinburgh by 1748. During the eighteenth century, Edinburgh was a hub of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Currens were often integrated into the city’s growing professional and merchant classes. As the family moved across the Irish Sea, the spelling of the name often adapted to fit local pronunciation and record-keeping practices in Scotland. By the mid-1700s, these individuals were part of a vibrant urban community, contributing to the social and economic life of a city that was rapidly modernizing. Their presence in the historical records of Edinburgh highlights the long history of migration and cultural exchange between Ireland and Scotland.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Mac Mhuirinn
Gaelic patronymic meaning son of the sea-dweller or mariner.
This name
CurrenDerived from a Scottish Gaelic term denoting a person associated with the sea.
also spelled
Curran
Currin
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, Old Parish Registers, Births and Baptisms, 1748
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
escutcheonA shield within a shield, and a claim inherited
